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Following are a collection of reader responses to stories or letters to the editor for the first week of January 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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BC nurse swiped opioids and worked while high: regulator

Why do we allow the ‘regulator’ to adjudicate and administer the penalty for this crime of theft, combined with the potential serious harm to patients under their care? They should have been charged in a criminal court, then the judge could have given a day in jail with a promise for good behaviour in future. — Ginny Dournovo, via iNFOnews.ca

BC anti-vax nurses lose fight against union

Maybe read your contract, the part that says you may be required to have vaccinations. I believe it’s in the Occupational Health and Safety Program portion, and it isn’t optional. If your “ethical standards” conflict with your Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, or some semblance of scientific study, then maybe nursing isn’t for you. Take responsibility for your actions instead of blaming everyone else. — Curt Finsterwald, via iNFOnews.ca

BC lawyer to pay $35K after 'harsh' words ruled client discrimination

RE: "Really, 35K? Did the poor dear almost die? That’s crazy!" — William Mastop, via iNFOnews.ca

People need to realize, in Canada, these kinds of penalties for discriminatory words and actions, no matter how that abuse is "downplayed, disguised or minimized",  towards those who are already in a position of disadvantage, such as non-white, non-cis, non-male, non-rich, uneducated, unhealthy, troubled, etc. are necessary and important in reducing and/or eventually eliminating the vast harm caused mostly by the advantaged, privileged, greedy, ignorant and insensitive among us. This case isn't simply about punitive damages for the perpetrator but also fair warning that abuse by discrimination is not acceptable in our country, and that's just one more Canadian characteristic we can all be proud of! — Karen Klein, via email

Trudeau prorogues Parliament, will step down as prime minister after leadership race

Among those set to run for federal Liberal leader are former minister of finance Chrystia Freeland, current Minister of Finance Dominic LeBlanc and former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney. Rumours of former B.C. premier Christy Clark’s intent to run for the job have been around for quite a while. If I were a Conservative, I would be ecstatic if the Liberals picked Christy Clark as their new leader. Read: 117 BC Liberal Falsehoods, Boondoggles and Scandals: The Complete List — David Buckna, via email

Critics of six-storey apartment building in Kamloops consider legal action

Now in a few years we are not going to be able to buy gasoline powered vehicles, so where will these residents be able to recharge their electric vehicles? Using the present resident’s parking spots for the six-story building is not ethical. The present residents will be subjected to several vehicles starting their engines right next to their houses, this includes the noise of car doors slamming, and people talking to each other at all hours and the smell of exhaust entering their doors and windows. This proposed building should come with an adequate parkade. — Jeanette Bouman-Noordam, via iNFOnews.ca

iN PHOTOS: North Okanagan painter uses his art to raise money for charity

I love this win, win! — Bonnie Derry, via iNFOnews.ca

Problem Trees and Healthy Evergreens: Why Winter is The Best Time to Call Pine Valley Tree Services

They’ve done a couple of tricky tree removals for me. Great job! — Bonnie Derry, via iNFOnews.ca

Court orders more parenting time for Kamloops sperm donor

Who would have thought that arrangement could ever fell apart. — Dick Dawson, via iNFOnews.ca

iN RESPONSE to the Jan. 3 newsletter editorial regarding fireworks on New Year's Eve

Fireworks? Love them! My dog? Not so much. — Marc Bremner, via email 

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Hello Marshall,

I’ve written about this topic before and I’m writing again. Why do people need fireworks? They don’t add anything to the enjoyment of any event. They bring harm to animals, yes, and to humans who suffer from anxiety or are post-op. You report in your comments that fireworks are illegal and further express your glee that they are bootlegged. Please stop encouraging people to break the law. Maybe I’ll drive to Kamloops and park my vehicle across your street, blocking traffic for fun. It’s illegal, I know, but I would get a lot of pleasure out of it.

I hope you never have to recover from the removal of a brain tumour or chemotherapy and then suffer more because some people believe it’s their right to have fun and break the law at the same time. — Elizabeth Woods, via email

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I love fireworks, the sound, the look and the smell. I am a pet owner. My pets are indoors, distracted. I have no problem and I only wish my neighbours would do what yours do. — Marti Giroux, via email

iN RESPONSE to the Dec. 30 newsletter editorial regarding BC bureaucrats working from home

If the work gets done, it's not my concern whether it is done from home or in an office.  Actually, it's probably better for the environment to have less people commuting. — Trevor Reeves, via email 

To contact a reporter for this story, email Marshall Jones or call 250-718-2724 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. 

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