Opinion

EDITORIAL TEGART: Reflecting on the local heroes of 2021 VIEWPOINT

Looking back on 2021, it is difficult to remember a year when our region faced as much heartbreak and loss. Between the heat wave, the wildfires, the floods, and the ongoing threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, most of us are happy to put 2021 in the rear view mirror.

The greatest thing that gives me hope for 2022 is the same thing that gave me hope through some of the darkest and most challenging days of 2021 — remembering the many local heroes whose actions big and small brought relief, security, and care to so many.

There are too many people to name, but we recognize our First Nations communities who helped guide our response and recovery efforts as well as the local food banks and organizations that gathered food, clothes, and any donations they could get their hands on to support displaced British Columbians. We acknowledge our local farmers and ranchers who saved homes and properties from impending disaster, and of course our incredible healthcare workers, firefighters, police officers, and all front-line workers and emergency responders who went above the call of duty time and again to protect us in our most vulnerable times.

As we face the challenges JACKIE TEGART

VIEW FROM LEGISLATURE

See ‘MANY’ Page 7

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OPINION

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LETTERS to the editor Samaritan’s Purse thanks Merritt residents

Editor,

We want to express our thanks to the people of Merritt who welcomed Samaritan’s Purse volunteers into their flood-damaged homes to clean them and prepare them for repair. We know that’s a lot more work to be done to restore Merritt, but we’ve seen the resiliency of your people and know the community will do what’s needed.

Our work in Merritt is now finished. During our four-week deployment, we trained, equipped and led almost 400 volunteers to work on the flood-damaged homes of 70 families. We thank Samaritan’s Purse donors from across Canada who made this vital work possible at no cost to residents, many of whom had lost everything in the flood.

We also thank Crossroads Community Church, our enthusiastic, community-minded partner and home base.

For more information on Samaritan’s Purse’s Canadian disaster relief work, please visit SamaritansPurse.ca.

Frank King

Relations Manager, Samaritan’s Purse

Many to name and thank in community

From Page 6

of 2022 together and build a year that we hope will be one of recovery, the countless heroes we have been able to depend on will undoubtedly play a crucial role in rebuilding our communities, recovering our losses, and building a strong and prosperous B.C. for all. It is these people who make me so proud to call Fraser-Nicola home, and it is their spirit of bravery, selflessness, and community that I will carry with me through my duties as your MLA in this new year. So, stay safe and I wish you all a very happy and successful 2022.

ALBAS: On the federal EI account balance

In a recent report, I referenced an exchange that I had in June of 2020 with the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion.

In the exchange I was asking the question; “Can the Minister please tell us the current balance of the EI account?”

As it would turn out I never did receive an answer to that question from the Minister in question.

The Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) also noticed the Liberal government secrecy around the EI account balance.

The PBO stated:

“Given that forecasted EI expenses far exceed projected program revenues, the EI Operating Account is on track for a cumulative deficit of $52 billion by the end of 2024.” Why does this matter?

As I pointed out back in my December 2020 report;

“by law, the EI premiums that Canadians pay must cover the expenses of the Employment Insurance program. If the expenses exceed the revenue, as is currently the case, the Government must, within a seven-year time frame, recover the deficit of EI funds that have been paid out.”

Why mention this now?

As of January 1st, 2022, the EI premiums for many Canadian’s pay increased.

Next year, on January 1st. of 2023, when a two-year freeze on EI increases expires, EI premiums will increase again.

The EI increase for this year is based on the maximum insurable earnings increasing from $56,300 to $60,300.

This works out to a maximum weekly EI benefit increase in from $595 to $638 per week.

In turn the maximum annual EI premium will increase to $952.74 as opposed to $889.54 in the previous year.

Next year the EI premiums will start to increase more significantly from $1.58 per $100 of insurable earnings up to $1.83 per $100 of insurable earnings by the year 2027. Obviously, these EI premium increases mean many workers may have less net take home pay as a result. At the same time, a recent University 2022 DAN ALBAS food prices study, prepared by researchers VIEW FROM with Dalhousie University, the University of THE HILL Guelph, the University of Saskatchewan and the University of British Columbia, has forecast that food prices in Canada will increase between 5% to 7% in 2022. In other words, at a time when many households may see net income drop, the purchasing power of your dollar will be less because of these inflationary pressures. My question this week: How much are you concerned about this situation? I can be reached via email at Dan.Albas@ parl.gc.ca or by telephone at 1-800-665-8711 (toll free). From the Herald archives: January, 1992

ELECTRONIC MAIL COMES TO MERRITT

To mail a letter without having to lick a stamp is becoming more commonplace than many may think.

Here in Merritt, about 50 people already know the advantages of computerized mail because of a system set up by Lower Nicola resident Bryan Lane and his partner Ed Bruck.

Lane and Bruck’s Bulletin Board Service was an entrepreneurial project started about March of last year.

LETTERS POLICY

The Merritt Herald welcomes your letters, on any subject, addressed to the editor. Letters must be signed and include the writer’s name and address. Letters may be edited for length, taste and clarity. Please keep letters to 300 words or less. Email letters to: newsroom@ merrittherald. com.

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