Dear Editor:
RE: Cherish it, June 29.
After reading this editorial – which noted “persuasive arguments are often supplanted by screeching demands” and “politicians and their parties have focused on their differences rather than shoring up common interests” – I looked at a parliamentary gathering with Justin Trudeau and Pierre Poilievre alternately speaking and I was appalled.
It was like a mass gathering of thugs, miscreants and bullies. The Conservative factor would not let Trudeau get a word in edgewise. Their shouting and screeching obliterated everything he was saying. The Liberal sector was much quieter because you could certainly hear Poilievre, although everything he said was negative.
But some light shone out. I noticed in the melee that amongst all this vulgarity, there sat Wellington-Halton Hills Michael Chong with an intense look of concentration on his face; a slight frown. Then, suddenly the masses all rose in a wave on the Conservative side, flinging their arms up and shouting abuse all around him.
But Chong remained steadfast in his seat. I was so proud of him. I guess he thought it was just too much. There really was some class on his side.
I realize that the opposition party is supposed to oppose, but if it drowns out everything the prime minister or anyone else is saying, is it not negating the point of Parliament altogether?
Perhaps a look at longtime Conservative Brian Mulroney’s speech in Nova Scotia would be relevant at this time. It certainly shows you that two different political factors can get along.
Christy Doraty,
Fergus
‘Real climate action’
Dear Editor:
RE: Mental health and addiction struggles continue to grow, CMHA WW reports, July 6.
Thank you for your dismaying but crucial story about the growing waitlist for mental health services in Waterloo-Wellington.
Yes, underfunding and COVID-19 have played major roles, but after many years of going undetected, fears about climate change are emerging as a major cause for anxiety and depression, especially among young people, and not just in this region, but world-wide.
Other than extreme climate change deniers, who will never be convinced that fossil fuels are cooking us, who wouldn’t be worried sick? Example: for four days in a row starting on July 3, our planet experienced its hottest day ever recorded as regions all over the world suffered treacherous heatwaves. This is just the latest in a seemingly never-ending series of extreme weather episodes the world is experiencing in this age of global warming.
But just as disturbing as these alarming weather events is the dismal failure of our governments and other powers-that-be to do what the science says must be done to keep humanity safe and healthy. No wonder our kids are suffering unprecedented climate anxiety.
Aside from shoring up resources, the best prescription for this segment of our mental health crisis? Real climate action.
Liz Armstrong,
Erin