Esquimalt's five year plan

Esquimalt is the name of the town to the west of Victoria on the other side of the bridge. It's the home port of Canada's Pacific Fleet- such as it is. After WW2 Canada had one of the largest navies in the world but it has been in decline ever since. Especially since the '60's all our military branches have been demilitarized to some extent and become a wierd kind of civil service. Since the Trudeau era it has been politically incorrect to even think we should ever have to go to war and -eek- kill people. I mean, go someplace with guns and bombs and actually terminate their corporeal existence. Oh, no, tut,tut, we are Peacekeepers, and all mention of all that bad war stuff was officially discouraged- except when politicians wanted the votes of the veterans of those wars. Probably the nadir of awareness among our federal politicos concerning our military history occurred under the late, unlamented stewardship of Liberal Paul Martin when he made a speech about Canada's role in the D Day operation. Apparently neither he nor any of his speechwriters knew the difference between Normandy and Norway, as in the speech Norway was represented as being the site of the D Day invasion. On another occassion the defence minister spoke about the remarkable exploits of our sodiers in the famous WW1 battle of Vichy France. Not only did he get the place wrong, but he was probably confused about which war was which. Vichy France was the part of France left to more or less run itself during the German occupation of WW2. Vimy Ridge was what he meant, a horrific battle in which Canadian troops succeeded in dislodging German troops from some miserable hill in northeast France in WW1. It was an iconic battle where a Canadian army fought under a Canadian general in a European war and succeeded where the Mother Country failed. When the faux pas was brought to his attention the minister snapped that a defence minister didn't have to know anything about history. So it's no wonder our navy is so dilapidated. I read the other day that our only supply ship is in such bad shape that it can no longer sail, leaving our warships without a refuelling at sea capacity.
Naturally, a decline in the size and quality of our navy has led to a decline in the fortunes of Esquimalt which has a bit of a seedy reputation in the Capitol District. According to a piece in the Times-Colonist today the mayor of the town, Chris Clements, is working on a plan of renewal for the town center. "It's a huge opportunity to shape the community," he enthuses. Reading further it's not surprising to find the usual buzz words. It's a planning process, it will be open and accountable, environmental standards, blah blah, visions of a pedestrian friendly village atmosphere, blah blah. Public facilities are 'aging.' Because of the region's booming economy land values are rising and horror of horrors, developers have been making enquiries. We must hire a consultant! Nowhere in the piece is anything mentioned about how much the whole thing will cost or how it will be paid for.
I have a suggestion for Esquimalt taxpayers: let the developers make their proposals. To be sure the world is full of quick buck artists, but there is nothing wrong with someone wanting to make a profit. Developers have to know their business or they would be broke. Some of them are immensely creative and all of them know how the business works far better than some recently retired (ie, dis-elected) politician. They know the costs involved, they know the pitfalls, they know what works and what doesn't. And best of all developers know where to get money- investment money. (If he doesn't, and wants money from the town, then beware)
But for some reason saying the word developer in Victoria is like saying Hitler in Jerusalem. All hell breaks loose whenever a developer comes up with a proposal to redevelop a piece of property. Pressure groups form. Letter writing campaigns are launched. Lawsuits are filed. Until the poor developer gives up or the proposal is so watered down it is no longer of any interest whatsoever. That's the way things are in Victoria. The reporter never thought to question the assumption that all things good proceed from government action. You would think the example of the Soviet Union and all their ineffectual five year plans and great leaps forward would have taught the world a lesson, but I guess that news has yet to reach the jounalism schools.
One of the mayor's comments especially exasperated me. He deplored the evils of 'piecemeal' development. Well, the whole of Victoria is a panorama of piecemeal development. That's what makes it such a lovely city.
In other news a certain "Ottawa based" Theresa Ducharme spoke Saturday on the topic, "Walking together, Expanding the circle." Not at all clear on what that could possibly mean, further reading disclosed that it was about race and sex based violence, hope and healing, and the right to safety in our own country. Sponsored by the Anglican diocese it is hoped that it will help redress the 'harming the aboriginal way of life' done in the past by the church.
I was rather sorry the picture of Miss Ducharme wasn't a little bigger as she seemed quite attractive. She reminded me a lot of some of the very beautiful young Cree ladies I used to know in Edmonton. Golden, glowing skin, raven hair, eyes simultaneously fierce and modest, and sexually agressive, they certainly captured the attention of my younger self.
Reference was made in the article to the Picton murders (alleged, I think I am required to say) and that murders of prostitutes in Vancouver's downtown eastside have not ceased since he was taken out of circulation. Why did I get the idea that they at least hoped they hadn't- otherwise there would be no further need for funding groups like theirs. Oops, did I really say that? But you know we already have laws against assault and murder and a very large law enforcement establishment to enforce them. So instead of touring the country making speeches to guilt ridden white church groups, why doesn't Miss Ducharme lead a campaign on the Indian reserves discouraging young native girls from becoming prostitutes, and trying to reduce drug and alcohol abuse? But I guess that would be too logical, and there's no money in it from funding agencies.
And if she really, really cares about the undoubtedly horrific circumstances of natives in Canada, she should work terelessly for the abolition of the Indian Act, the disbanding of reserves, and the integration of natives into the life of the country. Give the native peoples title to their present reserves with the right to buy, sell, develop, borrow money on just as every other Canadian. There is nothing more harmful to natives than the welfare mentality. There is an insulting little bit of doggerel I heard as a boy. I didn't know then what it meant, but I do now. It goes, "Hi yo Silver, Tonto's in the air, Tonto's lost his underwear. Tonto say, me no care, Lone Ranger buy me brand new pair." The thing about vicious little bits of folk verse is that there is often a kernal of truth to them. Otherwise there would be no point to them and they would be forgotten. Natives have to do for themselves. People come from all over the world to enjoy the fruits of the Canadian system. Like all others it has lots of flaws but I don't know of many that can compare.
I've been posting this from Swan's, a pub that brews the best ales in Victoria. And as my typing skills are not very good under the best of circumstances, I will now sign off for the day.