‘Others before self’
Dear Editor:
An open letter to those Canadians who complain that their freedom has been violated during the COVID-19 pandemic.
We have a Charter of Rights that guarantees certain freedoms, the most important being the right to life, liberty and security.
Under this charter we are granted certain freedoms, however, the Charter of Rights does not grant one individual person’s rights over the rights of others. The charter states, “Every individual is equal … and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law …”.
Along with the freedoms guaranteed under the charter there is also citizen responsibility.
“People who live in Canada are expected to:
– understand and obey Canadian laws;
– help protect Canada’s multicultural heritage;
– allow other Canadians to enjoy their rights and freedoms.”
We are all part of a greater community within this country. In times of adversity, as in war, natural disaster or battling this pandemic, it is the responsibility of all citizens to work together to protect each other and our country. That responsibility may require sacrifices, including giving up our individual freedom for the betterment of the community as a whole.
Each individual has the right to choose. For every choice we make there are consequences, some good and some bad. However, your rights as an individual do not trump the rights of others.
The government has instigated measures to protect the citizens of this country against this virus. If you choose not to vaccinate, your choice puts others at risk. And making that choice you sacrifice certain rights of your own, the rights to access certain venues like the work place, restaurants and events.
The men and women that fought in World War I and II, and conflicts since then, understood/understand this responsibility of citizenship. They sacrificed their lives, their personal liberty and security so that we can continue to enjoy the fundamental rights we have today.
Do not use their sacrifices to defend your choice to denounce the COVID-19 vaccine, and government measures to combat COVID-19. It is an insult to the sacrifices they made.
They put their country and others before self. We should ask no less of ourselves.
Arlene Wright,
Belwood
‘A very good idea’
Dear Editor:
Common sense would dictate that in these circumstances and with current scientific information about the effect of lockdowns, it would be a very good idea for the government to lift the mandates.
Ruth Sutherland,
Puslinch
‘Same narrative’ as PM
Dear Editor:
RE: Freedom for all or free-for-all? (Feb. 3).
To use David Adsett’s own words, I find his irony and hypocrisy galling. He has done the same thing as many other main stream media outlets have done and that is to portray the protestors as “malcontents”, “trainwreck” and spinning the same narrative that this is a fringe group.
This is the same type of rhetoric and insults that our prime minister also uses and what is dividing this country. Mr. Adsett was correct on one count, and that is the people have had enough.
He goes on to use his platform to once again point out the actions of a select few disrespectful protestors and paint all protestors with the same brush as being the same.
This issue is not about being vaccinated or not. This is about far-reaching powers that the government has imposed that flies in the face of our Charter of Rights and “Freedoms.” It is one thing to inconvenience citizens by restricting some movements if not vaccinated, but it goes too far when you threaten peoples’s livelihood and insist that they accept medical treatment (getting vaccinated), which is everyone’s right to refuse.
Mr. Adsett attempted to marginalize the vocal group of a much larger underlying populace that have had enough but have been afraid to speak out for fear of this marginalizing vitriol.
Isn’t it ironic that it was our same prime minister who praised truck drivers two years ago and deemed them essential workers and exempted them from forced vaccinations because they were vital to our supply chain, and yet he now mandates vaccinations for them. That is hypocrisy.
All levels of governments have failed our population through a wholly inadequate health and long-term care system and used these draconian and misdirected mandates to cover their mismanagement and lack of capacity of these systems and the ability to protect the most vulnerable. Businesses have been destroyed, mental health issues have exploded, and other medical procedures have gone unchecked, jeopardizing many lives.
It’s time for these restrictions to be lifted and for clear thinking and rational Canadians to make personal choices for themselves and to gain back our freedoms.
I have been fully vaccinated (my choice without threat of losing my job) but support this protest movement.
Steve Charbonneau,
Erin
‘Holding a city hostage’
Dear Editor:
RE: An embarrassment, Feb. 3.
I agree 100% with the sentiments expressed by Mr. Fox. Nobody is forcing the unvaccinated to get a vaccine shot.
They have the right to not get a vaccine. However, there are consequences to that decision and one of those consequences is the fact that unvaccinated persons, truckers or otherwise, are not allowed to cross the Canada/U.S. border in either direction. This prohibition has been legislated by the two respective governments as part of a broader attempt to protect the health of all the citizens of the two countries.
The “protesters” have made their point. They are not happy with the situation. However, holding a city hostage until the government agrees to satisfy some vague, shifting and possibly illegal demands made by a group that is not representative of the majority of Canadians is not a “peaceful” protest.
Time to go home and let the citizens of Ottawa get on with their lives.
Michael Vasil,
Fergus
CBC/Liberal alliance?
Dear Editor:
My wife and I have followed and respected every mandate on the books. We have had three doses of the vaccines, followed all COVID protocols, including double masking, social distancing, avoiding unnecessary travel, restricting the size of gatherings over the holidays, and having only one of us do the weekly shopping.
So, it was with some scepticism that I heard of the truckers’ convoy to protest yet another mandate. Why was the 72-hour negative test mandate suddenly no longer acceptable for those previously deemed “essential workers?” Something just wasn’t adding up!
I wondered if the fledgling convoy was to have any real significance. However, I did see thousands of flag-waving Canadians who stood on bridges, or lined the highways and byways of this great land in their support.
Once in Ottawa, it was obvious that in absentia, Trudeau was going to use this opportunity for his own political advantage by refusing to hear their concerns. Thereafter, things were being reported of behaviours that had absolutely nothing to do with truckers’ concerns. Was the original goal of the protest not being sidetracked or worst yet, sabotaged, by some group expressly to denigrate its true purpose?
Worse than that, we see acts of vandalism and disrespect seemingly associated to this protest proliferated by the CBC. With all the unrelated publicly-aired difficulties within the Conservative party, I thought the timing of this reporting in particularly poor taste.
I listened to the question period, and noticed question after question (aimed at listening to truckers’ concerns, inflation’s effect on families, Liberal spying on Canadians’ cell phones) answered by Trudeau with exactly the same vague rhetoric.
Is this the real workings of our democracy: a serious inquiry followed by prepared repeated vague rhetoric, the reigning party simply insulting the other? Is the role of an elected parliamentarian not at least to listen to the concerns of Canadians?
I began to speculate if this was indeed an alliance between the CBC and Liberals to enthrone Trudeau even further. With the Conservatives in shambles, the Liberals are now emboldened to say and do whatever they want.
I don’t believe that I heard one positive note on this convoy, aided and abetted by the one-sided coverage by this CBC/Liberal alliance. When Trudeau does return to 24 Sussex, I’m absolutely positive the CBC will be there to greet him with open arms! Mission accomplished!
I can only hope Trudeau’s “fringe minority” remembers his taunts and insults at the next ballot box.
Ron Johnson,
Mount Forest
‘Disgraceful abrogation’
Dear Editor:
The COVID-19 pandemic has been difficult for many people in many different ways. We’ve lost loved ones. Patients in hospitals and residents in long-term care homes have been isolated from their family and friends when they were most in need. Jobs were lost. Children and youth have had to cope with less than optimal ways of learning. Parents of young kids have struggled mightily to meet their job requirements while also taking care of kids.
The overwhelming majority of us have dealt with these challenges with the common goal of getting safely through the pandemic in a way that minimized harm to ourselves, our loved ones and our broader community. Masks, social distancing, handwashing, patience, kindness, and vaccination have not been too much to ask of 89% of Canadian grown ups.
Yet, we have a small fringe who take their guidance from extremists who pretend to represent ordinary folks, but truly do no such thing. I can live with people expressing contrary opinions. All healthy societies encourage that. What I can’t live with is the behaviour we are witnessing among the so-called trucker convoys in Ottawa and other parts of the country.
We have seen many despicable acts already, from desecrating monuments to demanding food meant for homeless people. I have several colleagues in Ottawa that must now travel two or more hours to get to their jobs in local hospitals. Today I learned that staff outside of Elisabeth Bruyere hospital were harassed for wearing masks. This is a hospital caring for some of the most medically complex and vulnerable older persons, people with severe disabilities, and people who are in palliative care programs.
In the midst of this we learn that the new leader of the federal opposition wants her colleagues to make this “Justin Trudeau’s problem.” What a disgraceful abrogation of duty. This is not a partisan issue. Every party should be working to put a stop to this shameful, counterproductive disregard for the rights and well-being of others.
As one of his constituents, I call on MP Michael Chong to act now to put an end to the pandering within his party to elements that represent the intolerant, uncooperative and unhelpful extremes among us.
John Hirdes,
Elora
‘Stop these mandates’
Dear Editor:
I support the freedom convoy 2022. I am a small-town Christian Canadian mom of five. Three years ago my health suddenly declined and I was no longer able to drive or do some of the most basic things most people take for granted. I was diagnosed with Lyme disease.
My doctor has highly suggested that I hold off on getting vaccinated and yet can’t give me a medical exemption. I know others are in this category too. To date I have had to follow in line with the government mandates and passports requirements due to my choice in respecting my doctors recommendation not to get vaccinated.
I hope these passports will soon be lifted so I can do a simple thing as watching my 10-year-old and 11-year-old play hockey in the arena again and not just wait in the parking lot for them to come out.
I am not saying that vaccinations are not one of the tools that can help protect oneself, however I strongly disagree with a government forcing people to either lose their jobs or get the shot. I disagree that it is more dangerous for people to be around me than to be with someone who is vaccinated.
If you decide to get vaccinated you should believe that is the right choice for your protection but you should not have to fear being around me. This train of thought needs to be stopped. The government needs to stop these mandates. They have the right to try to convince people but not to coerce.
God keep our land glorious and free!
Patricia Reinink,
Arthur
‘Go home, get vaxxed’
Dear Editor:
I think it is completely ridiculous that Conservative politicians are calling out the prime minister for using divisive rhetoric when the protesters are waving swastikas, harassing bystanders, fouling sidewalks, and vandalizing statues of Canadian heroes.
MP Michael Chong should be telling them to tone down – in fact he should be telling them to end this farce, go home and get vaccinated.
Mathew Hill,
Elora
‘Totalitarian control’
Dear Editor:
It was May of 2020, when I started seeing through the rhetoric, and came to the conclusion that we were better off taking our chances with the COVID bug, than living with the consequences of government overreach and the resulting lockstep fall into totalitarian control over our lives.
One of the first things a malevolent government does is take control of the media. Soviet Russia did it, Nazi Germany did it, Maoist China did it, Communist China does it, Venezuela does it, North Korea does it, and the list goes on.
On the same bent, Trudeau and the Canadian government is doing it right now. Why else is CBC and so called mainstream media so heavily funded by the government? My assertion is because the above mentioned media can feed the unsuspecting masses of people whatever rhetoric it deems necessary and appropriate to maintain power.
Dave Adsett, I am horrified to read your editorial of Feb. 3, using the rhetoric of a government desperate to vilify and denounce people who will historically prove to be every bit as heroic as the people who fought and died to preserve our democracy when it was last threatened in the early 1940s.
Why not focus on the millions of dollars raised to help those on the front lines trying to restore our democracy? Why not communicate the good such as feeding and employing the homeless, the garbage being picked up, the truckers who witnessed and reported illegal acts, the overwhelming goodwill and willingness to share and help out wherever and whenever necessary?
Wayne Baker,
Wellington North
‘Freedom of choice’
Dear Editor:
Perchance, the farmers that peacefully protested at several locations across Canada could label their produce in one of two ways:
– produced by COVID-vaccinated workers; or
– produced by unvaccinated workers.
Give us the freedom of choice.
Jim McClure,
Crieff
‘Darker side to Canada’
Dear Editor:
I was smug watching the chaos in Washington, D.C. unfold on Jan. 6, 2021. That kind of Trump influenced assault on the national capital and democracy couldn’t happen here. Canadians are known for civility, respect for the law and tendency to find middle ground! Aren’t we?
Apparently not. So disappointing! The “protest” in Ottawa shows a darker side to Canada and one we can’t underestimate. Whether driven by pandemic discontent, right wing politics, vaccine misinformation, foreign influence or a mixture of all those, the threat to our way of life is real. And that minority who mistake anarchy for freedom don’t understand how civil society benefits everyone.
That is why we need firm action now to end the occupation on Parliament Hill, relieve residents of our national capital from intimidation and disruption and re-open the Ambassador Bridge.
And more provincial and national leaders, including MP Michael Chong and MPP Ted Arnott, must show courage by actively and vocally denouncing the demonstrators, even if it jeopardizes a few future votes. The chaos and our response to it will set a crucial precedent.
To the vast majority of truck drivers on the job, getting the work done: two thumbs up!
Peter Van Vloten,
Fergus
Call out Trudeau
Dear Editor:
I am very concerned about the hateful rhetoric flowing from the mouth of our prime minister.
He called certain people “misogynists” and “racists”, asked “why do we put up with them?” and said they “take up some space.”
The constant intolerance towards unvaccinated from the mainstream media and our government needs to stop. How is this acceptable?
My husband and I recently celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary. We couldn’t travel or go to a restaurant because I am not vaccinated. Why? I don’t understand why people think it’s their business. I will say it’s a personal choice, as are all other medical records.
I don’t care if you are vaxxed or you’re not, I will treat you the same. With dignity and respect. Every single person should be allowed to eat in a restaurant without showing “papers.” This vaccine passport has done one thing, and that is divide a nation. It’s time that Justin Trudeau be called out from every politician and every media outlet.
Pam Reilly,
Puslinch
O’Toole ousted
Dear Editor:
Congratulations, Mr. Michael Chong, your Bill C-586, “The Reform Act”, was used for the first time to dump Mr. O’Toole as your leader.
He was given the impossible task of trying to walk on both sides of the street at the same time and he gambled his future as party leader during the last election.
How to appeal to the far right of the party while appearing to be in the center to the majority of Canadians to get elected? If he had won, all would have been forgiven by the far right; if he lost the potential leaders in waiting could quicken his departure.
It was sad to see all the photo-ops taken by people like Pierre Poilievre even before your party voted to officially boot him out. But I guess that tells us a lot about him?
Good luck to the next one accepting this impossible goal, gambling their political future. Anyone thinking about putting their hat in the ring should consider if they like having a head to put the hat on more than the position of power? I sincerely wish Mr. O’Toole and his family well in the future.
Thomas Althouse,
Fergus
‘Proactive work’
Dear Editor:
RE: Motion to hold meeting on moving county administration centre defeated, Feb. 3.
I feel county councillor Campbell Cork has an excellent idea in his motion. It is worthy of investigation for a number of reasons.
It makes a lot of sense to have your county administration centre within the county you represent. Could you imagine having our federal government located in Michigan? (maybe a good idea given the current turn of events).
Support and be part of the community you govern. There is a lot of commerce that flows out from a facility such as this, well beyond anything that is tendered. Heating fuel, maintenance services, printing, stationary, etc. How much of the county annual expense budget flows to vendors in the communities they represent versus going to Guelph vendors?
Some councillors argue there are currently too many demands on the table. Reviewing your real estate assets with an eye to consolidation could result in significant reductions in annual spending and through divesting of surplus real estate (including the current admin building) might reveal the ability to relocate and fund some of these other pressures.
If the expressed need of $27 million for a parking garage at the current location could be avoided via relocating to the county’s current campus, where there is plenty of land for parking, could be seen as another enabler via cost avoidance.
I’m just touching some of the thoughts that come to mind and these are not intended to reflect all the potential (if there is any) in councillor Cork’s motion, but we will never know what possibilities exist if council won’t even agree to a discussion and taking this idea to the first gate via a high-level analysis of the potential.
Council work is a flow. It doesn’t begin and end with each election. There is still eight months left in this council’s term and many will be re-elected. Kicking this down the road until after the next election is not reflective of the proactive work of this current council. Any other thoughts out there?
Tom Sullivan,
RR4 Mount Forest
‘Worth celebrating’
Dear Editor:
On Feb. 6, 1952 (70 years ago) Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor became Queen Elizabeth II. Her father, George VI, had died that day.
While her coronation would not take place until June 2, 1953, she has been the British monarch and therefore Queen of Canada since Feb. 6, 1952. The Queen was 25 years old when she ascended to the throne.
In 1952, Queen Elizabeth II gave her first Christmas Broadcast, as she closed her speech she referenced her coronation taking place in June 1953.
She said, “I want to ask you all, whatever your religion may be, to pray for me on [my Coronation Day] that God may give me wisdom and strength to carry out the solemn promises I shall be making, and that I may faithfully serve Him and you, all the days of my life.”
The prayers of the people of the Commonwealth have been heard. As the third verse of “God save the Queen” reads in part – “May she…ever give us cause, To sing with heart and voice: God save the Queen.”
Queen Elizabeth II’s life of service is an example of commitment, loyalty, and compassion. This is a milestone worth celebrating, giving thanks for the Queen.
Peter Bush,
Fergus