I am concerned about the policy ­requiring seniors who drive to pay up to $200 for a medical examination upon reaching the age of 80.

This fee, imposed by the Ministry of Public Safety, appears to be discriminatory and may well be contrary to the ­constitution.

As a senior citizen, I find this policy particularly troubling for several reasons.

• Financial burden: Many seniors live on fixed incomes and find it challenging to accommodate unexpected expenses. The imposition of a $200 fee for driver’s licensing services places an undue financial burden on seniors, potentially limiting their mobility and independence.

• Discrimination: This policy seems to unfairly target seniors based solely on their age. Such age-based discrimination is not only unjust but may also be in violation of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which guarantees equality rights and protection against ­discrimination.

• Public safety: While I understand the importance of ensuring that all drivers are capable and safe on the roads, there are more equitable ways to achieve this goal. Regular medical and vision tests, which are already in place, should suffice without imposing additional financial penalties on seniors.

I urge the government to reconsider this policy and explore alternative ­measures that do not disproportionately affect seniors.

Ensuring road safety is crucial, but it should not come at the expense of ­fairness and equality.

Ian Stringer

Saanich

Re: “Victoria moves to put amalgamation question on the ballot,” July 18.

Jane Jacobs, author of some of the most influential books about cities, wrote that “cities are not like suburbs, only denser. They differ from towns and suburbs in basic ways.”

Understanding how cities and suburbs are different is key to understanding why the amalgamation of Victoria and Saanich would be an enormous mistake.

Victoria is a vibrant urban centre with density and design similar to Vienna, Copenhagen and Munich. It is exceeding its housing and growth targets despite having zero........

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