The residents of B.C. pay tens of billions of dollars in taxes to the federal government every year.
Very little of this tax revenue benefits British Columbians. Most of it is used to support the central and eastern provinces (except for Newfoundland and Labrador) and our three northern territories. During his recent visit to B.C., the prime minister had the opportunity to return some of this tax revenue to help us in this disastrous wildfire year.
His government has committed 200 soldiers and equipment. This is a paltry contribution. The cost of fire suppression alone is approaching $400 million for 2018. And then there are the financial costs incurred by people who have lost homes and businesses. Here are a few suggestions for the feds:
1) Pay for half the fire suppression costs.
2) Pay for half of all other related costs incurred by the provincial government.
3) Match all charitable contributions made to help fire victims dollar for dollar.
This is the least his government could do for a province which so generously supports the Canadian federation.
Al Martens
Penticton