‘Don’t axe the tax’
Dear Editor:
I just received the last instalment of the $672 carbon rebate for 2024.
Back in 2019, the carbon tax encouraged me to reduce my carbon footprint. Before making the changes, I was emitting 7.6 tonnes of CO2 per year from heating, car and electricity. Having completed the changes, I released only 1.15 tonnes of CO2 last year.
So, the carbon tax at $80 per tonne cost me $92, leaving me $580 of the rebate. I have accumulated further savings, since I started making the changes, of over $10,600 through burning less fossil fuel, using less electricity and of course keeping more of the rebate.
Like most of us, I got back more from the rebate than I paid in carbon tax. An exception would be farmers who have to use propane to dry corn. The government should provide them some financial relief, or even better, encourage propane producers to lower their profit margin.
Pierre Poilievre wants to take the carbon rebate away from not only me but also the people who use transit or don’t own a car, and especially older people who rely on the rebate to pay for rent, food and transit.
I’m guessing Poilievre and his rich friends don’t like that the carbon tax they pay for their extravagant fossil-fuel lifestyle, supports the rebate for the rest of us.
Please, don’t axe the tax!
Ron Moore,
Hillsburgh
‘An endorsement’?
Dear Editor:
The Conservative Party of Canada needs a leadership change as well as the Liberal Party.
Leader Pierre Poilievre has solidly proven that he has no policies, or refuses to state them, and he has adopted the United States model by falsely stating that the sky is falling in Canada. This is to appeal to an emotional response that is not based on a real inventory of our present conditions. Who starts a political TV advertisement with an assault on a darkened street?
Canada has watched the U.S. become what they used to call a Banana Republic and the majority of Canadians do not want to follow them. It boils down to blind greed and excludes compassion, morality, maintaining a civil society, justice for all and a inclusive world view.
Jonathan Schmidt’s letter to the editor (‘Ideological extremism,’ Jan. 9) illustrated Poilieves’s character very well.
I agree with his statement, “If Poilievre’s policies have merit, Canadians would be much better served by a thorough and honest presentation of them instead of his mudslinging rhetoric. Does Mr. Chong agree?”
Silence is an endorsement of Mr. Poilievre, Mr. Chong.
Thomas Althouse,
Fergus
‘Attack dog’
Dear Editor:
Early in his career Pierre Poilievre took on the role of “attack dog.” It was a natural fit for his personality and his inclinations. Although he is now a “leader” of a political party, he does not act like a leader. His words and actions remain those of an attack dog.
Attack dogs divide, they do not unite. They are always looking for an opportunity to frame themselves as a saviour. It does not matter if playing on the fears of one group means that they trample on the rights of another or if they create division between groups. Image is everything. Power is everything.
Attack dogs like Poilievre, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and U.S. President Donald Trump will always be focused on planning their next attack. It is the way they see the world. It is the way they act within the world.
The leader of a country needs to be able to work with the leaders of the other parties. People voted for them too. A leader of a country needs to represent everyone within the country. They count too. A leader of a country needs to be able to work with other countries. We live on a global stage.
When asked how he would react to Trump’s tariffs, Poilievre side steps by saying that he is not the prime minister. However, he continues to audition for the role by talking about axing the plans of others. That is what attack dogs do. They oppose the plans of others. They do not create their own.
Canadians are facing unusual times and we need unity. We need to act together. We need leaders who are capable of thinking their own thoughts and not just opposing others. We need to assert our independence by reaching out to the world at large.
We do not need an attack dog.
Joanne Mitchell,
Fergus
‘Trudeau’s legacy’
Dear Editor:
While I understand it was politically necessary for Justin Trudeau to step down, I still have a great deal of respect for him and I thank him for his many years of service to Canada. I cannot comprehend the level of vitriol that is being tossed about online.
It just seems so completely unfair and misplaced. While I have not agreed with every decision that Trudeau has made, he embodies to me the values and principles that we need as a leader in Canada. And I worry terribly about the type of leadership we could end up with after the next election.
I will never forget Trudeau’s caring stewardship of Canadians through the days of COVID-19 and how he did everything in his power to make sure that citizens and businesses alike had the means to survive. Canada emerged from COVID in far better shape than many other nations and yet so many seem to forget that fact.
The whole world is dealing with the problems that Canada is facing and, relatively speaking, we are in far better shape than many. So for those of you who are celebrating Trudeau’s resignation, I think the old adage of “the devil you do know as opposed to the devil you don’t know” is likely quite fitting.
Please consider the following.
Canada has a AAA credit rating and the lowest debt-to-GDP ratio in the entire G7. Over 1.1 million more Canadians are employed compared to before the pandemic, marking the fastest job recovery rate in the entire G7.
Inflation has been reduced to 2.8%; expected to be 2% by the end of 2024.
Trudeau cleaned up many water issues, lifting 144 long-term boil water advisories. Yes, 144. Conservatives under Harper lifted zero.
The carbon tax that Poilievre fought against puts more money into the hands of eight out of 10 Canadians with the rebate.
Trudeau advanced a ban on harmful single-use plastics and banned microbeads in toiletries.
He helped Canadians improve the energy efficiency of their homes and reduce their energy bills by providing homeowners with up to $5,000 in grants to retrofit their homes and made interest-free loans of up to $40,000 available.
He committed to ensuring 100% of vehicles sold in Canada be zero-emission by 2035 and supported automakers and auto-workers to produce in Canada.
He introduced tougher rules for managing chemicals that will enshrine Canadians’ right to a healthy environment for the first time in our history.
He legalized cannabis.
Just some food for thought when we reflect on Trudeau’s legacy and the future of the Liberal party and realize the Conservatives offer a denial of climate change.
Timothy Flannery,
Elora
‘Strength, endurance’
Dear Editor:
RE: Medical officer of health reflects on COVID-19 pandemic five years after it began, Jan. 2.
This article by Joanne Shuttleworth was a great reflection on the strength and endurance of public health and the direction (and abuse) they endured over the last five years.
I do think the COVID-19 pandemic sucked the life out of us, but we are slowly recovering.
I think it also has shortened our longevity for health care workers by five years.
Great article and a good read if anyone missed it.
Ray McNichol,
Listowel
Elora residents ‘lucky’
Dear Editor:
Please accept this letter as an endorsement and letter of thanks to the merchants, Kat Florence, out-of-town shoppers/tourists and all local residents who enjoyed our beautiful village over the past two months.
I hope the Township of Centre Wellington supports the efforts of local businesses and the enrichment they have newly provided. Elora has always provided a naturally unique and beautiful landscape but it has not always been able to provide consistent economic success – the casino being the exception.
Having been a visitor since 1980 and a resident since 1993, the revitalization and enjoyment of our downtown core in 2024 has been nothing but amazing. Foot traffic is up (mine included), parking is difficult, garbage more abundant – they always have been.
Driving through downtown is slower but maybe provides us opportunity to count our blessings and enjoy the scenery!
If you do not enjoy lights, busy shops and parking problems, driving through the downtown core is not your only alternative. Wellington Road 7 goes north and south with very little to slow folks down except the speed limit.
Me, I will continue to walk and shop in my local community with my extended family, ages seven months to 70 years.
How lucky we are to have everything from banks, churches, a library, book store, cinema, schools, daycare, splashpad, Elora Centre For the Arts, post office, independent grocery store, two pharmacies, dentists, doctors, optometrists, clothing and jewelry stores, shoe store, LCBO, casino, locally owned and run restaurants, recreation centre, skateboard park, trails, museum, world class music festival and much more along with all the natural beauty?
A thriving downtown core took decades to establish. Garbage, parking and other necessities required to ensure success can be addressed over the near term with the support of council and the residents working alongside local business.
Let us be supportive, patient and grateful for the successes and strive to find solutions for problems we encounter along the way
Karen Kollee,
Elora
‘Stop the 413’
Dear Editor:
On Jan. 17, a letter signed by 160 leaders of faith was sent to Doug Ford. The group, including Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist and Unitarian organizations, expressed concerns about Bill 212 – the Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act.
The faith group warns that Bill 212 will have devastating consequences for the environment, public safety, food systems and Indigenous rights.
They were compelled to speak out when government decisions threatened the integrity of the environment and the well being of present and future generations.
The faith group warned that the Ford government is prioritizing short-term economic interests over long-term sustainability by expediting the construction of Highway 413. So what’s the answer to preventing this environmental catastrophe?
Highway 407 is the obvious answer; by providing low/no cost tolls to all commercial truck traffic it will immediately relieve congestion on Highways 401, 410, 403, 427 and Highway 7.
The 407 runs at less than 50% capacity at the same time the 401 is running far above capacity.
Why? Well, most trucking outfits can’t afford expensive 407 tolls. So they are forced to jam up all the routes the 407 was intended to ease when it was built.
In fact, when planned in the late 1950s, the 407 was intended to be a truck bypass. It is sad to say now it’s a highway for commuters who can afford some of the most expensive tolls in the world.
Low- or no-cost tolls for trucks will ease the tremendous congestion in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area right now! The 407 would be much more effective than the destructive 413.
Furthermore, we have 17,000km of roads in Ontario already, with most of them in southern Ontario. Upgrading our existing roads would forever preserve our prime farmland, forests and wetlands.
We must be the caretakers of the land and water, not just takers.
Farmlands, trees, wildflowers and bees,
The birdsong and coyote cry,
Our wetlands and dragonfly,
Chorus frogs and red side dace,
The Greenbelt is their rightful place!
We must stop the 413.
Our future generations will be forever grateful.
Terry Brooker,
Orangeville
‘More positive’ names
Dear Editor:
I recently sent in my application for OAS (Old Age Security), 11 months in advance as directed. I am happy to receive the pension, as I still have a mortgage to pay off.
However, I find the term “old age” to be somewhat disparaging. Some seniors are disabled and some are quite active. Many seniors compete in a variety of sports and games such as those offered by the Ontario Senior Games Association. They consider the term “old” to be relative.
So, here are more positive terms for OAS: the wisdom benefit, elder dividend, golden age allowance, and senior supplement.
Larry Squire,
Fergus
Missed opportunity?
Dear Editor:
I am furious – so furious that I will not read the Advertiser ever again … well, not until next Thursday.
The Advertiser had the opportunity to be the first newspaper in Canada to report the entry fee for the Liberal Party leadership race.
In case you missed it, it will be $350,000.
Jim McClure,
Crieff