Following are emailed reader responses to stories or letters to the editor for the last week of April 2024. They have been edited slightly for readability. 

Got something you want to add? Send an email to editor Marshall Jones at mjones@infonews.ca.

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Former Penticton woman gets $1.8M for accident before ICBC's no fault insurance

"Your article about the no fault insurance enlightened me as well! From my recollection it’s not how it was supposed to work according to Eby's explanation. Like the saying goes “now that you’ve signed, I’ll tell you what it’s really all about.” The only one benefitting from the “saving of up to $400 in insurance cost” is ICBC! They can now continue to overcompensate their management and employees. Interesting to note that during covid, 2021/22, executive members still received 4% so called “performance” compensation while the rest of the general public minions had their hours of work drastically reduced or were totally unemployed and many small businesses had to close their doors. ICBC employees also receive benefits which are 100% paid by ICBC. ICBC is not the only one guilty of taking taxpayers for a ride. Just to put an end to this tirade, I just hope and pray I don’t get injured in a crash!" — Tamara Clarke

"I worked personal injury for many years. Paralegal.  The settlements were becoming ridiculous, lots of money for minor injuries. $5,000 just for walking into ICBC. So, yes, something serious had to be done to stop this. This, like everything else, is a guessing game.  No fault put a lot of lawyers out of “business” which really needed to be done. On the other side of the coin, in this day and age, if you are seriously injured in a collision, you are not going to get the help you need from ICBC. The adjusters at ICBC are basically amateurs and really don’t know, or seem to care, what they are doing.  ICBC like Interior Heath, need to be managed properly. Both are not." — Marti Giroux

"That is the worst idea ICBC ever had." — George Cunningham

"Short answer is no. It has removed all sense of accountability." — Ron Fairburn

"In response to the first article I have ever read that actually explained no fault insurance so I could understand it, I just want to say that the topic comes up frequently amongst us all out here.  And everybody hates it.  We would prefer our insurance be higher and have decent safe insurance.  And I mean it, I have not spoken to one person out here that likes or agrees to it.  Such a typical NDP move. I really hope people read this article. I am spreading it around as much as possible. I share it through email. I am on a mission to get people to please not vote NDP.  Eventually they always tank the province." — Helen Price

"No fault insurance has been proven to not be fair to people who have been injured in an accident and have long term suffering. Insurance in BC should be privatized and then tort law can be used properly again in cases where people have lasting injuries or suffering from accidents. Having only one insurance company is ridiculous." — Eric Nelson

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I read with sadness how Eby cleverly sold the No Fault Insurance scheme to British Columbians thinking they are naive that they'd save 400$ per year on their auto-insurance AutoPlan.

I feel really badly for Carrie Lynne Michael for being injured in a head-on collision through no fault of her own. Now she has lost her vet tech career and living in misery and pain. All the monies in the world under the pre-Enhance Care Plan isn't worth a penny when one's quality of life and personal mobility freedoms are severely compromised. My grandma and mom always said health is far better than wealth. I wish the best for Ms. Michael.

As for the no fault plan, and it is still very expensive, the way this is structured is a great reason for me to not transfer my residency from another province to being in BC. I know I can always go back to my home province and I will be alright after my contact here in BC is done. And there is an end date to my work, thank God I would not be subject to the nasty vagaries of auto insurance adjusters from the great big monopoly called ICBC. Where I am from auto insurance is privatized in an open competitive market and yes you can sue the other party for having caused the crashes as well as their insurer. Not here in BC! You folks have to do as you are told! We call that socialistic communism the way ICBC runs its no fault, enhanced care program. They are cheap. They cannot even be wage competitive for human resource and talent in the Eby government service.

Finally, if you're living and working in communities where local Hospital ERs casually close down because of staff , registered nurse or MD shortages you are not getting any care - let alone "Enhanced Care" - so many people I know within the Interior Health zones have no family doctors they can visit. Instead the province is setting up band aid solutions called Urgent Primary Care Centres - OMG - the waiting rooms are usually jam-packed far worse than a tin of dead sardines.

Why bother being a BC resident? It makes no sense - I am returning to my home province soon - well before the snow flies again, and yeah - good riddance to the BC NDPs - just take your ICBC nonsense and poor-as-heck "healthcare" system and shove it up where the sun don't shine, Adrian Dix!

To heck with Bonnie Henry and her vaccine mandates - more than 35 per cent of nurses and HCAs are no longer allowed to work because of this outdated and obsolete vax mandate and you wonder why people are angry.

— Wilson Low

Kamloops nurse disciplined for giving opioid dose to wrong patient

"This punishment seems more like a dream come true. I mean no ill-will to the nurse, but the punishment is humorous, much like expelling a student for skipping school. If you promised potential nursing students that they would never work alone, nor have to train others, nor work nightshifts, every nursing class would be filled with eager students!" — Shelley Beller

BC's drug crisis: Why everyone talks about 'stigma'

"Three million people die and millions more families are destroyed every year from the worst drug on the planet; alcohol." — Mark S Windsor

Kamloops man fighting to get mom with dementia into long-term care

"Why are we not up in the faces of Dix and Eby and anyone else that sits in their comfortable pew and had the resourses to see this situation coming. Wait until the dementia wave hits." — Lynn Crassweller

"We have a similar experience but thankfully not as acute. Navigating the elder care system is a workout in patience. The system is clearly swamped. What's going to happen in the next 30 years as the "boomers" reach the care needing stage? We are not ready!" — Deb Alore

Dozens of businesses, hundreds of Okanagan residents demand transit improvement in open letter

"Where we live in Kelowna, it is a 15-minute drive to Orchard Park Mall. I would happily take the bus, however after discovering it takes three buses and over an hour of travel time, assuming all buses are on time and connections are made, it doesn’t really seem feasible to do so. In our area, they are also now testing “on demand” bus service. Neither of these options promote a transit-friendly approach to me. The car it is." — Megan Murphy

"I would use transit if it were free for all seniors.  A means test should not determine whether we can use transit or not." — Lawrence Beaton

"In Kelowna four years ago, when I was still working, the odd time I had to take the bus to work. Daytime riding took 45 minutes. Getting home after an evening shift it was touch and go for getting out in time to get the 11:10 pm bus. If I missed it the next one was in half an hour. It would take the same amount of time to get home as it was the "milk run". Driving my car took 17 minutes.  Things may have improved by now and I have my doubts. Once my elderly charge leaves this world I'll be able to try out transit again. Fingers crossed that it will have improved beyond belief." — Joan Johnston

"I think driving personal vehicle is a habit. Some would gain the habit of public transit if grey were simply shown how easy it is. It can be more efficient at times of heavy vehicle traffic and productive with time being spent reading your news or communicating with others. When there are events in the city, it would help to have focus on safely getting there and back home if alcohol is involved. This would mean ensuring the bus continues until the end of the event. Rockets games would be ideal to target." — Paul Clark

"I do use public transit in Kamloops.  In fact my husband and I try to avoid driving whenever possible. Our preference is to ride our bikes, but we opt to take the bus or walk as well. We lived for 30 years in Brocklehurst.  My husband commuted to work to the Columbia Place SaveOn by bike for decades.  I pedalled downtown to work at the health unit.  This kept us fit and healthy.  We are seldom sick. We were usually able to cycle year round but when conditions made that dangerous or impractical we would ride the bus or combine walking with transit usage. Now that we are retired we live on the university campus and still ride, walk or take the bus a to get around the city. The transit in Brock and at TRU is really good with frequent busses. We can get downtown quite quickly and to the north shore exchange really efficiently using the #10 express. I like not having to deal with traffic, or finding and paying for parking. Riding the bus is easy and affordable." — Deb Alore

"I rarely use Kelowna or West Kelowna public transit. The buses do not always arrive or leave at the scheduled time and one has to find parking and usually walk a few blocks to board. They truly need Park 'n' Ride locations. I believe that would solve so many problems."  — Jenny Masuda-Nelson

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"Put in a light rail transit system which would later extent to Penticton and to Vernon, small buses for short alternate routes commuting and tourism would increase and commuter traffic would decrease on the bridge." — Mike Kletzel

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Hi,

Our bus schedule needs be consistent seven days a week and should start at 5 a.m. as people are relying on the bus to get to work or school. With the cost of fuel and almost everything on the rise, more people are using the bus as they simply cannot afford the cost of a vehicle. Jobs are not strictly 9-5 anymore and our transit system needs to reflect it. Moreover, if the city wants a more green environment, then this should be put into place.

The transit system is very unreliable with only one bus coming into Westsyde and it’s usually delayed or if it breaks down then a person is tough out of luck. It’s also very unsafe especially in the downtown core and North Shore stops especially at night. The transit should have an app in real time which currently does not have. The bus on the weekends runs hourly which is unacceptable as it should run every half hour seven days a week for safety reasons period.

Every citizen of Kamloops should be able to rely on the city transit to get to their destination on time and unfortunately that does not happen. The transit system needs to be updated and reliable.

Pat Berardi, Kamloops

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Hello,

Until public transit makes park and ride there will be very low ridership. If I want to use the express bus route 97 in West Kelowna I have to walk 30 minutes from my house. I’m a senior and get days where I can ride for free, even with this, why would I ride?

Eric Nelson, P.Eng.

BC Conservatives hold upper hand against BC United: poll

"Dear Mr. Jones. It would seem that the change in provincial electoral boundaries in the carving up of Kamloops will assist the NDP in the winning of both ridings. That and the development of the BC Conservatives as a political force will lead to the political destruction of the BC United Party. How the mighty have fallen!" — Lawrence Beaton

Why tree planting in BC is not reforestation

"As a planter for nearly 40 years I've looked at the forestry situation a long time.  I started out as a regular save the planet hippie.  As time went on and I became older and talked about the whole picture it became much more complicated.  It's true we are just workers for the industry, but I'm so blown away how fast our plantations have become forests.  I spent many years advocating selectively logging, but alas, in most cases I've seen it not the best option." — Brian Henderson

"I'm writing in response to the above article. Tree planting is one small part of the silvicultural process. A complex analysis is done by forest professionals to select the right stock to plant in any given area based on sound ecological research and experience. Stocking standards are produced through working with both the licensee and the Ministry of Forests, and planted stock can include a variety of both preferred and acceptable species based on factors such as drought resistance, tolerance to disease and pests. Silviculture and forest practices incorporate more legislation, First Nations collaboration, and new methodologies to reduce or eliminate the impact on values such as water, wildlife, and recreation. I encourage you to do some more research and speak to people who have more than just a casual observance on the subject." — Tim Phillips

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Good day.

Please when writing an article on forestry topics, get all the sides to a story. Lodgepole pine is not the only species of tree that is planted in BC. Using what species was logged from a site plus what species of trees the biogeoclimatic zone recommends determines what trees are planted on a particular site after harvest.  This means in some cases lodgepole pine is planted.  But more often a mixture of pine, spruce, Douglas Fir and larch would be planted around the Kelowna area. 

To say we should plant more fir around Kelowna would only work on certain sites.  Once you get above about 1,100 metres in elevation around Kelowna the native forests no longer grow much Douglas fir.  The forests were and are in fact in a lot of cases pure lodgepole pine because that is what grows best there.

As for survival rates of planted trees. In BC our plantations have about a 70% or better survival rate after 15 years. In the meantime natural regeneration also comes in to play.

As for selective cutting in BC it just does not work everywhere. For most of the commercially harvested forests around Kelowna which are pine and spruce if you select cut the rest blow over as they are shallow rooted. That would worse for wildlife and a fire hazard.

Select cutting on the other hand in interior Douglas fir is the best option as fir is hard to regenerate in the wide open.

Clearcuts also make great firebreaks as the fuel load is reduced. Younger lodgepole pine unless dead is very fire resistant as well unlike the environmental group claimed in your article that it burns well.

Again do not write unbalanced articles and perhaps more folks will respect your journalism.

Chris Betuzzi, Registered Forest Technologist
108 Mile Ranch, grew up in the forests around Kelowna
45 years of bush experience and counting

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Hello editor,

My name is Ryan Zapisocki and I have been in silviculture for 31 years now. I am also a wildlife biologist with an avid concern for our environment. I have had the experience of working with thousands of plantations over my career and I have an issue with many statements made in your article. I have literally been able to watch plantations I have planted grow and thrive into full forests. I haven’t been involved in monoculture planting for over two decades now. In fact with climate change challenges in the world now we have been intentionally planting species that are expected to migrate north as the climate changes. This is based on the best current science on ecosystem migrations due to climate change. For example we are adding Douglas Fir and Larch to plantations that should thrive as their typical climate further south of us is becoming more prevalent in the northwest. This is intriguing as it is intentional planning based on 100 year life cycles of trees which is a difficult concept in a politically driven resource management field.

I mostly want to address the quote printed from Anna who you cite as working for Windfirm as a contractor to Canfor. How did you fact check her statements? What was the full transcript of your interview with her? At no point ever in my 30 years in silviculture has anyone been told their trees only have a 25% survival rate. There are factual surveys you could investigate to confirm this as plantations are thriving and it is extremely rare to be doing fill plants for tree mortality other than occasional ones for fire damage or tree disease that affects plantations the same as mature forests. I feel it is your responsibility as a journalist to fact check statements you print in the media, and this information is easily accessible through licensees or government as forests are monitored closely for their health and vitality.

There are many claims in your article that simply aren’t factual and can easily be responsible fact checked by your news agency. 
- “Brushing causes the failure of planting to go up.” It is exact opposite and also eliminates the use of spraying
- “If you had deciduous trees the biodiversity goes up” – the fact is it is mandated to retain deciduous trees for biodiversity, wildlife and cultural reasons.
- "We're basically growing the most fire-prone trees on a landscape that is known for wildfires," Stop the Spray's Steidle says. – An unfortunate fact in BC is that a hundred years of fire suppression and increasing human/forest interface is extremely influential on current wildfire activity
- A general observation is the constant reference to “replanting trees” – the fact is they are “planted” and not “replanted”.

I wish to state that I am not personally promoting mass clearcuts or spraying as it would be great if selective logging could meet the demands of fibre in the market and keep mills and employment in our communities, but the scale of supply and demand is much larger than what can happen on a selective scale. My personal environmentally conscious opinions are tempered by the realities of a world that still requires wood products and I believe they are a better solution than synthetic non-renewable supplies at the current timeline. 

Thank you,
Ryan Zapisocki (He/Him)

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People tossing cigarettes out their vehicle's window

?Hi!

It disturbs me to know people are tossing their cigarette butts out the windows of their vehicles. On the Glenmore which has grasslands and hay fields all the way out to Lake Country the road shoulders are scattered with tons of cigarette butts. Hard to believe people are still smoking nevertheless tossing their butts out the window of their vehicles, don’t they remember the fires from last year? That wasn’t frightening enough? What are they thinking?

Paul Kelley

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B.C. Conservatives' 'biological sex' sports bill is quickly quashed in legislature

Thanks for the news...?

I get the impression that the Conservatives are not an accepting party. I am someone who is comfortable with my gender identity though I acknowledge I have traits that are maybe honoured more when found in females? In any case, protecting children from "indoctrination" is one thing but denying the privilege of participating to others due to biology is quite another matter.

When it comes to sports, that is the most reasonable avenue for "live and let live" because of the ideal of sports-like behaviour and encouraging teamwork.

Sincerely,
Patrick Longworth

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