Skip to content

Time for a little protesting around here

A Brazilian protester commented, ”We pay a lot of money in taxes, for electricity, for services, and we want to know where that money is.”

Recent protests in Brazil were triggered by an increase in public transit fares. Prices were scheduled to go from $3 to $3.20, an increase of about 6.6 per cent. The average bus fare is $1.32.

Let’s take a look at TransLlink, where the price of a single-zone fare goes from $2.50 to $2.75, an increase of 10 per cent, and a two-zone fare goes up to $4. The average bus fare is $2.75.

Some more comparisons:

• Average price for a litre of gas:  Brazil, $1.30; Metro Vancouver, $1.42.

• Average price for a kilogram of rice: Brazil, $1.29; Metro Vancouver,$4.99.

• Average price of a domestic beer in restaurant (half-litre): Brazil, $1.85; Metro Vancouver, $5.56.

• Average price of a cappuccino: Brazil, $1.85; Metro Vancouver, $3.98.

• Average price of a dozen eggs: Brazil, $1.85; Metro Vancouver, $4.

• Average price of mid-range bottle of wine: Brazil, $9.26; Metro Vancouver, $17.

A Brazilian protester commented, "We pay a lot of money in taxes, for electricity, for services, and we want to know where that money is.”

Recent wage rollbacks by the B.C. Health Authority and to Premier Christy Clark’s staff may suggest that we’re close to the tipping point.

I think perhaps a little protesting around here would be in order as well.

Granted, we are not subjected to the same kind of leadership and abuse as found in Brazil. But then, John Tortorella just arrived in town...

 

Gerd Peters

Surrey