‘Absolutely disgusting’
Dear Editor:
For two years Canada has been fighting a war against an unseen enemy identified as COVID-19.
At the outset of the Second World War Canada tooled up to make war machinery and train a military in an unbelievable short time. Similarly, Canada obtained vaccines and set up a network of stations across this nation so that almost all Canadians had access to receive protection against the COVID enemy – for free. This network was supported by an amazing computer system. This network was put in place in an incredible short period of time!
The goal of the federal and provincial governments was to keep all citizens from sickness and death, beginning with the most vulnerable.
When a country is at war, its people must give up certain wants, rights and freedoms in order for the war effort to be successful. Therefore, I find the truckers’ protest (and supporters) to be absolutely disgusting to the point of being sickening.
Perhaps the late Canadian songwriter, Stompin’ Tom Connors, said it all when he wrote, “If you don’t believe your country should come before yourself, you can better serve your country by living somewhere else.”
Keith Marcy,
Puslinch
‘Silent majority’ opposed
Dear Editor:
I love that the media reports on the right wing trucker convoy story and never mentions the simple fact the truckers can’t cross the U.S. border since the same requirements are to get in as to enter Canada.
Guess what? The “silent majority” is not behind you. Disrespect the Terry Fox statue (now there was someone with guts), the grave of the Unknown Soldier and war memorial – what lowlife.
The Trump hats say it all and Trump Jr. fits right in. He does not even know Canada has provinces not states, but then his type and group could not find Canada on a map. Hey, big payday coming for the “grifters.” For all the anti-vaxxers who take critical beds from people waiting for knee, hip replacement, cancer treatment, etc.: look in a mirror, you are the selfish and when you get COVID you should not get a bed.
The disgusting wearing of the flag by people who don’t know what the word honour stands for? Of course the Tories back them, since they are never on the right side an issue.
Jim Trautman,
Ontario, California
‘Willful blindness’
Dear Editor:
We are still in the midst of an exhausting pandemic that has left us all frustrated with having to deal with successive variants, fearful that we or someone we love might get sick or lose a job, confused by public policies which are no sooner enacted then, of necessity, soon amended to keep us safe while attempting to keep the economy turning over, and angry that there are still people who refuse to get vaccinated.
Just two days ago, I offered my own cold shoulder to somebody whose shoulder I used to clap with affection. That’s partly why I’m writing this. He’s an anti-vaxxer and I’m persuaded that getting a series of jabs is the only way out of this global mess.
Reflecting on our momentary chance encounter, which I immediately seized upon to deliver my silent rebuke as I drove by, I began to wonder what had gotten into both of us and what it is that one or the other of us just can’t see about the other’s point of view. But no amount of thinking about it for nearly two years, including the past couple of days, has yielded an answer. I still can’t see his point of view and, judging by his recent unsuccessful attempt to overturn a local workplace vaccine mandate, I doubt he can see mine.
Of course, all this pondering on my part is set against the backdrop of the anti-vaccine mandate demonstration in Ottawa where being unable or unwilling to see the point of view of others is the order of the day for the protesters. Judging by the conduct of some of them – invading restaurants, hotels and shopping malls unmasked and expecting to be tolerated let alone served, and desecrating national monuments – seeing a point of view other than their own is beyond them.
Moreover, they are unable to see that while Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which some have brandished before the TV cameras, was what permitted them to decline the vaccine. It also allowed the rest of us to accept it and to protect ourselves from those whose reckless behaviour poses a threat – not only to our choice but to our very health.
I don’t know where all this short-sightedness and willful blindness will lead our country. Neither do I know how broken relationships are going to heal, when the all-clear is finally sounded and we emerge into a new normal.
All I know is that as an individual I must reconsider and amend the way I treat the people I know, and still care for, who refuse to be vaccinated. And while it doesn’t seem like much, perhaps it will help me, in some small way, to deal with my frustration, fear, confusion and anger.
Bob Cooper,
Elora
Hitting ‘noses’
Dear Editor:
I have heard it said that “freedom is worth fighting for’’ and I agree. However, I also agree with the man who said, “Your freedom ends where my nose begins!”
I agree with those people who say that it is their right to refuse to be vaccinated against COVID-19, however, it appears that their exercising of this right is hitting a lot of “noses.”
We daily read or hear about rising deaths from either COVID-19, or from postponed life-saving surgeries, because of the number of COVID cases overwhelming the hospitals.
It has also been announced that the large majority of the cases in hospital are the “unvaccinated”. Perhaps we have come to the point where some freedoms must end, before more “noses” are hit.
Jim Measures,
Clifford
‘An embarrassment’
Dear Editor:
Now two years into a world wide pandemic a lot has been learned, millions of people have died and billions have had their lives changed.
What a wasteful empty convoy of disgruntled anti-vaccination truckers has to teach anyone, escapes me. You are an embarrassment to your industry and to the 90% of Canadians who have done the responsible act for the benefit of families, friends and fellow citizens.
No person or government is forcing vaccination, only enforcing the reasonable laws in place for the protection of all. The many millions who have been hard hit financially, medically, and in so many ways had their lives impacted, are trying to work through it.
You might consider being part of the solution, rather than adding air and sound pollution to the problem.
So, taking your odious hangers -on with you, gas up, honk if you must, go home avoiding the border and do your job.
Lyle Fox,
Fergus
Focused on the negative
Dear Editor:
The trucker convoy has drawn a lot of attention this past week and unfortunately the mainstream news has focused on any negative aspects there may have been, even though all the predicted alarm of potential violence did not happen.
There were individuals that took advantage of the situation to express their own ideals but this is nothing new and can be anticipated at any demonstration.
Maybe we need a reminder of what Prime Minister Trudeau said last year. In a Quebec television interview Trudeau said “They don’t believe in science/progress and are very often misogynistic and racist.” I am not sure this expresses the inclusive, non judgemental, progressive stance that Trudeau claims he is committed to.
Some may not be aware of the “notwithstanding clause” in the Canadian Charter that allows a majority to override the fundamental rights of a minority. Trudeau himself says “it is not a good thing” but willingly uses it for the COVID mandates. On the other hand, he doesn’t want it used against religious freedoms as in the case of Quebec’s Bill 21, specifically the case where a Grade 3 teacher, Fatemah Anvar, lost her job because she was wearing a hijab.
Is it really a surprise that great numbers of people are upset with him? Trudeau had nothing positive to say about the convoy and seems unwilling to address the situation.
Maybe he thinks everything is okay and people are just overreacting to his example of leadership. Time will tell.
Michael Thorp,
Mount Forest
*Editor’s note: Section 33 of the Canadian Charter of Rights, also known as the notwithstanding clause, allows governments to introduce a law that can override aspects of the charter for a certain time period. It has not been used by Trudeau to enact “COVID mandates.” In the case of Bill 21, the province of Quebec invoked the notwithstanding clause, meaning the law couldn’t be challenged on the grounds that it violated the charter.
‘Hardworking’
Dear Editor:
Recent CBC coverage of the events in Ottawa was probably the most biased, one-sided piece of journalism I have ever seen.
Liberal strategists could not have managed a better scenario. What political opportunism! The message of the protest (as confused as it was) was totally and singularly ignored and replaced by sideshows emphasized by their various media anchors, portraying the rally participants in some sort of criminal or misguided way.
First we have the problems dogging the Conservative party pasted all over the screen; Erin O’Toole trying to bridge an impossible gap with protesters, new anchors discussing major rifts within the party, and lest we forget, providing significant airtime to Maxime Bernier. Jagmeet Singh fared no better, with viewers seeing the fact that he will have to deal with a brother-in-law who actually donated to the convoy.
All the while, Trudeau, the instigator of this protest through his latest mandate, is being portrayed by the CBC as the innocent victim, having to be whisked away, conveniently having to self-isolate away from the protest, all the while with a smug “I don’t care” smirk on his face. This prime minister specializes in dividing one Canadian against another, be it in this case vaccinated truckers against the unvaccinated. Let’s not forget how he has divided many others” climate activists against resource industries, rich versus poor in his failure to do anything about inflation, east versus west, etc.
Then there’s the totally unacceptable incidences involving swastikas, one Confederate flag, the tomb of the unknown soldier, and Terry Fox memorials. All these atrocities were mentioned time and time again by the commentator. I truly believe these were not committed by any of the truckers, and yet here they are linked and highlighted ad infinitum by the CBC. Is it beyond possibility these acts could have been orchestrated by some outside organization simply in order to disparage the truckers, deflecting the rightful meaning of their protest?
This protest has not evolved the way most of the truckers have intended. These are hardworking individuals who simply have had enough rhetoric from the government and have the courage to take a stand. Jan. 29 and 30 in Ottawa will never be Jan. 6th in Washington!
These folks are not criminals, and are not devious and underhanded. You’ll find enough of that at 24 Sussex Drive in Ottawa!
Ron Johnson,
Mount Forest
‘Hard to accept’
Dear Editor:
RE: Centre Wellington minor lacrosse unveils new team name, logo, Jan. 27.
As per the recent name change of Centre Wellington minor lacrosse from Mohawks to Riverhawks, I wish to give both compliments and constructive criticism to the present executive on the recent change.
If we blinked and made changes to everything the Ontario Human Rights Commission suggested was harmful to Indigenous people you’d go stir crazy. To make this decision back in 2019 and keep it from general discussion to both the general public and past and present coaches and executives who built the organization in both Elora and Fergus is unbelievable.
Since my involvement in the Fergus/Elora lacrosse loop since 1979, I have made some strong friendships with Indigenous people and still keep in touch with my Six Nations friends through lacrosse.
Ask any of the “Landonis” about all friends made with Six Nations contacts over the years. “Nothing but good things to say.”
The Mohawks name very well should be kept. In the present world of recognizing all nationalities and all people of all places, the Mohawks name should educate today’s world that the name honours Indigenous people who invented lacrosse.
You have people on the executive who have played both minor and junior careers in Elora and Fergus. They to this day they are still proud to be part of “Mohawk” lacrosse. You even have someone who won a Canadian Championship (Founders Cup) in 1976.
Since Elora and Fergus minor lacrosse associations combined as one in 2009, it has been a success, winning and competing against the big centres of Whitby, Peterborough, Brampton, etc. is due to the work of many on the past and present executives.
Members of past executives who should be recognized for building the past Elora and Fergus organizations are: Annie McDonald, Marlene McDonald, June Bernier, Larry Galbraith and Mac Mason.
For those who proudly wore the Mohawk jersey over the years to not speak up and abandon ship is hard to accept.
As a past player, coach, executive and referee of the Fergus minor association, damage has been done. I wish the present executive all the best in maintaining a stable and winning association.
Dan Sytsma,
Fergus
No public confidence
Dear Editor:
An open letter to Peter Sovran, director of education with the Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB).
I would like to thank you for responding to my Jan. 17 letter to the UGDSB. Based on the responses you provided me, I am understanding the following:
1. Board staff do not disturb the individual packaging of the sealed components, despite (in your words) “disturbing the seal on the manufacturer’s box.” However, staff of the UGDSB still handles the individual packaging of both sealed and non-sealed components.
2. The UGDSB cannot comment on the applicability (or not) of the federal regulations that I referred to in my Jan. 17 letter.
3. The UGDSB staff involved in handling the components of the tests wear board issued personal protective equipment (PPE) – including masks and gloves, completed daily COVID-19 screening, and have received training on the proper use of mask handing and hand-hygiene.
Mr. Sovran, what you have said to me in your response is that:
– the UGDSB is tampering with a sealed Class IV medical device;
– the UGDSB cannot guarantee contaminants have not been added to the components of the tests;
– the UGDSB does not know if their handling, repackaging and redistribution process of the tests is in accordance with federal laws.
The optics are that your board (under the direction of the Ministry of Education) is carrying out these directives without properly investigating and weighing the laws surrounding such actions. Simply put, these directives do not seem to support the health and safety of our children … especially when you have members of the UGDSB not adhering to the very training you have set forth surrounding handling of the test components and PPE.
The board’s actions, and justification of those actions, continue to fall extremely short of providing public confidence.
Paul Johnson,
Ariss