Letters to The Vancouver Sun: As a septuagenarian, I happily support proposals that support gen Z. A recent article about the appeal of 'gen Z socialism' inspires responses across generations.
Support for Gen Z Socialism
Re: The allure of Lewis's 'gen Z socialism.' I wasn't familiar with the term until I read John Ivison's warning about it in The Sun. A better deal for workers and the young; a 'humans-first AI strategy;' a ban on surveillance pricing; economic growth that helps ordinary people rather than increases the wealth of the rich; jobs and affordable rents for the TikTok generation; a Canadian economy that's 'safer, secure, more calm, more predictable and less disruptive.'
Federal NDP Leader Avi Lewis is also advocating for environmental, worker and Indigenous rights, according to Ivison, who warns us that these are just some of the dangerous ideas Lewis is promoting. As a septuagenarian, I'm not proud of the world my generation has left for gen Z, so as a voter I could happily support these 'pig-in-a-poke' proposals to remake the economy despite Ivison's misgivings.
Richard Hoover, Delta
Carney's Flip-Flops Boost Federal NDP
Re: The allure of Lewis's 'gen Z socialism.' In his assessment of new federal NDP leader Avi Lewis, John Ivison noted that recent opinion polls show 'the NDP in double-digit territory, in large part because of a cooling in sentiment on the left for the Liberals.'
The reasons for this cooling were clarified when I read the memoir The Right to Be Cold by Inuit environmental and community activist Sheila Watt-Cloutier. She recalled: 'The government of Stephen Harper has been keen to see Canada become an energy superpower, with the Arctic playing a key role in this strategy. Part of this move has been to champion Canada's sovereignty over the Northwest Passage. Yet outside of military intervention, our federal government hasn't shown much interest in protecting our Arctic waterways and our Arctic land. Instead, they've adopted a 'use-it-or-lose-it' approach. Harper's government has systematically minimized voices of opposition and done away with environmental impact assessments in order to fast-track development.'
The Justin Trudeau government continued these policy directions, although as lower priorities on their agenda. But Prime Minister Mark Carney has enthusiastically waved the 'energy superpower' flag while proposing to legislate cabinet overrides on environmental and Indigenous assessments of major projects. Canadians concerned about the climate emergency and plunging biodiversity have few choices for their federal vote. The shift of 'green' voters from the Liberals may result in a minority federal government of either the blue or red stripe. How might Lewis negotiate a 'supply-and-confidence' agreement with either minority party leader?
Derek Wilson, Port Moody
How About 'B.C. Party' as Moniker for New Centrist Party?
Re: Findlay's rhetoric galvanizes centrists. I guess I'm a galvanized centrist. I was very disappointed when Kerry-Lynne Findlay won the Conservative leadership vote. I was hoping for a right-of-centre leader like Iain Black to lead the party out of the murky, SoCon wilderness and give B.C. voters a real choice.
