Re: “When politicians break their contracts,” letter, March 15.

The $200,000 figure quoted as the cost to taxpayers for the apparent betrayal of a municipally elected councillor is a niggling amount. In Victoria council terms, it’s the cost of a tricked-out one-ton pickup with plow attachments.

However, when one hears the expression “it’s not about the money,” it usually is.

Not here. It’s about what’s right.

All politicians that use municipal politics as a training ground or stepping stone to higher office should pay their dues completely for their full term. That’s what they were elected for. It’s a two-way deal.

As a New Democrat I was appalled by Laurel Collins’s gall and audacity to leap to the higher office, sticking it to all those who voted her to municipal council. I voted accordingly.

Max Miller

Saanich

Dr. Bonnie Henry and all the health care professionals in B.C. were God sent during the pandemic.

In a state of uncertainty and turmoil, Henry kept her cool and led the province through an extremely challenging time. We are all grateful and humble to survive it.

Thanks to Henry and all the health professionals who stepped up without any hesitation about their own health and conditions of work.

We salute you. I have admired two selfless people: Mother Teresa and Dr. Bonnie Henry. These are the people who keep the world hopeful.

Mano L. Sandhu

Victoria

Five years after Dr Bonnie Henry gave the citizens of B.C. the three words — Kind, Calm, Safe — I would like to offer her sincere thanks with my own three words: Courage, Grace, Humanity.

Jonathan Purdie

Victoria

Donald Trump has been bragging about his love of tariffs for months, not to mention his desire to strengthen border controls and trample on traveller’s rights.

As soon as we realized Trump would be the next U.S. president we cancelled our Alaska holiday because we had no desire to fall victim to his capricious regulations.

All Canadians should carefully consider their interactions with our southern neighbour now that rules, treaties and foreigner’s rights are no longer being honoured.

Hopefully things will return to normal after Trump’s term is over, but for the next four years we can expect uncertain times when dealing with the U.S.

S.I. Petersen

Nanaimo

Apparently there is no longer any such thing as “Team Canada” or any kind of united effort in the fight against the tariffs levied by “Team Trump.”

Instead we seem to have at least three teams, each playing their own dangerous game of chicken.

For example, Team Ford almost got the proposed 25% tariffs doubled by threatening to impose a tax on electricity to the U.S.

Similarly, by threatening to levy fees on transport trucks travelling through B.C. to Alaska, Team Eby could jeopardize B.C.’s cruise ship business and trigger reciprocal fees on trucks carrying Mexican produce through the U.S. to Canada.

Meanwhile, Team Smith has........

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