A new fan of our newspaper
Dear Editor:
We retired from Montreal to Oliver one year ago. The first thing we did was buy a newspaper to learn about our surroundings. Your paper helped us a lot.
We are in our late 60s and early 70s and grew up as avid readers of the newspaper. Sure there are some new advantages of technology but nothing beats sitting with a coffee and reading a paper. Your paper checks all the boxes for us.
I understand itѻý a rough go for newspapers because of technology but we really appreciate your staffѻý time and effort to keep us informed and let us know where to go and have fun and inform us on whatѻý going on in the surrounding areas.
Jo-Anne and Paul Morin
Oliver
Get Canada our natural oil back
Dear Rt. Hon. Mr. Carney:
Ever since the first NAFTA agreement, we in Canada have been forced into giving up our natural advantage in oil. We have been forced to pay the U.S. domestic price for our own oil in our own country (Texas Wellhead price).
If U.S. President Donald Trump doesn’t respect trade contracts, please use this opportunity to get us back our natural oil advantage, so we can compete better with lower transportation costs for our industries.
Chase Conell
ѻý
Churchѻý message similar to Feuchtѻý
Dear Editor:
As the controversial Christian nationalist Sean Feucht prepares to bring his divisive message to ѻý, many local residents have rightfully expressed discomfort and disgust.
But while Feuchtѻý rhetoric may be brash and inflammatory, we must ask ourselves a harder question: is his message really that different from what quietly happens every day under the tax-subsidized roofs of some local churches?
Feucht promotes a Eurocentric brand of Christianity rooted in nationalism, cultural superiority, and exclusion. His belief is simple: the world would be better if everyone conformed to his interpretation of faith and morality. Itѻý a worldview that erases difference in the name of salvation — and itѻý not unique to him.
Right here in the Okanagan, many churches raise and send hundreds of thousands of dollars overseas to “spread the word” — global mission campaigns that often replicate the same colonial, anti-diversity ideologies Feucht champions.
Letѻý stop pretending these efforts are simply faith based altruistic assistance. They’re about control — and in many cases, about exporting intolerance under the guise of religious charity.
And hereѻý the worst part: we’re all paying for it. These organizations operate out of buildings and on land that receive generous property tax exemptions, supposedly because they serve a public good. But when churches promote exclusion, or fund overseas campaigns that undermine pluralism and diversity, how is that a benefit to our community?
We absolutely have the right to protest events like Feuchtѻý. But thereѻý a more impactful, long-term action we can take: demand accountability from the religious organizations that receive public support. If a group wants to preach Christian nationalism and exclusion, it shouldn’t be subsidized by the very public it seeks to divide.
ѻý Atheists, Skeptics, and Humanists Association is calling on ѻý City Council to end permissive tax exemptions for religious organizations that do not demonstrate inclusive, community-serving outcomes. Letѻý make sure our public funds are used to build a diverse, welcoming, and truly supportive community — not to reinforce religious supremacy.
The time for passive tolerance is over. If we want a city built on respect and equality, it starts with ending our complicity.
Nina George, Saturday Sazaran, Darrel Lewis, Joyce Kunzelman, Janice Selbie
ѻý Atheists, Skeptics,
and Humanists Association
Bring back Damien Kurek
Dear Editor:
Well this August byelection in Alberta Battle River-Crowfoot should be a resounding “NO” to Poilievre and a resounding “YES” for Damien Kurek who was elected by the people of Battle River-Crowfoot.
How very unfortunate the Conservative party of Canada has felt the need to remove this well-liked, elected Damien Kurek the people voted for and wanted in that office and replace him with a loser.
Surely people are smart and wise enough to see Poilievre is not the right person to lead the Conservative Party let alone Canada, for he is far from being a good leader.
The people of Battle River-Crowfoot should plainly see why he got his ass kicked out of the Carleton riding of Ottawa.
One need only look at his credentials, oh wait, he has none. Thatѻý right, he is a trough feeder. Now look at Mark Carneyѻý credentials. The list is as long as your arm. We now have in place a well-educated, business-minded intellectual and a true master of diplomacy leading Canada in very difficult times.
In contrast, you must see all Poilievre ever does is complain Canada is broken with no real solutions to offer. One only has to listen to Poilievre continually putting people down by insult and calling them names in very childish ways.
He is in way over his head. I believe the Peter Principle applies to Poilievre in its entirety.
So good people of Battle River-Crowfoot, I do hope you will put Mr.. Kurek, the person you voted for originally back into office. He has been wrongly removed and keep in mind he is the right person for you as he is a resident of Battle River-Crowfoot.
Ian MacLean
ѻý
Alternate route to ѻý required
Dear Editor:
Yet again we are left stranded by a closure of Highway 97, an occurrence we seem to experience ofttimes.
This controversial route saw a massive slide awhile back where restorative work has come to an unexplained halt.
Are we to believe there is planning afoot for a much needed alternative?
Paul Crossley
Penticton