‘A resounding yes’
Dear Editor:
RE: Democratic society? Feb. 29.
The answer to Pat Woode’s question is a resounding “yes.”
Despite the federal court’s decision on the government’s invocation of the Emergencies Act, we can still be confident of the democratic status of our society, because we know that the government’s decision was taken with a majority support of parliamentarians who represent us, and with the support of a majority of Canadians who were polled about it after the fact.
Pat Woode, and similarly thinking anti-Trudeau voters, need to consider this court’s decision in the context of other court decisions where right wing governments are held accountable.
Case in point would be the Premier Ford government’s recent violation of our constitutionally guaranteed freedom of association when the Ford government forced contracts on union workers in contravention of their legally established bargaining process. And here is the contrast I’m asking readers to consider: on one hand Trudeau is actually invoking an act (a law that is on the books) with actions that his government duly considers are necessary under that act, and with which the majority of Canadians agreed, and to which Trudeau and his Cabinet members have testified at hearings that they would do again, and which the court has finally ruled on.
Meanwhile, on the other hand, Ford’s action is taken completely outside of any act or law on the books, and in violation of the Constitution, and without the support of working Canadians, and without any independent inquiry or open hearings so the voters can eventually understand the government’s rationale.
I would much rather live in a democracy illustrated by a government operating within the context of laws and acting according to their interpretation of them, than a society illustrated by a Ford government where actions are taken arbitrarily and completely outside the context of established law.
David Fast,
Ariss
Protecting children?
Dear Editor:
Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives have revealed a concerning glimpse into their agenda should they win the next election.
Riding a significant polling lead over Trudeau’s Liberals, Poilievre announced he is in favour of ID requirements for accessing online pornography, purportedly to safeguard children.
But is it government’s role to dictate parental responsibilities? Shouldn’t parents be trusted to navigate conversations about online content with their children? Poilievre’s sudden disregard for parental autonomy seems selective, surfacing only to preserve the last gasps of outdated, Christian values.
This draconian proposal to implement surveillance to access adult content raises serious privacy concerns. Privacy is our right in Canada, not a bargaining chip. The CPC’s insistence on sacrificing Canadians’ privacy in a moral crusade sets a dangerous precedent.
CPC MP Garnet Genius’s assertion that porn companies can be trusted with sensitive data flies in the face of reality. In a study done by Wired.com, an analysis of over 22,000 porn sites found that 93% of them leak sensitive consumer info to third parties. This underscores the need for robust privacy protections – not blind faith in corporations.
The feasibility of enforcing ID requirements for accessing adult content is dubious. Experts argue that most teenagers will easily circumvent measures with tools like virtual private networks. The legislation would not only infringe on privacy rights but also waste taxpayer dollars on ineffective measures.
This proposition does nothing to meaningfully protect children from the dangers of sex and pornography – those dangers being sexual abuse, short sentences for sex offenders and not enough being done to address sex trafficking.
Poilievre could have knocked this out of the park with voters on all sides if he addressed the above. Instead he proposed a surveillance state to a base that didn’t even want a vax passport to go eat at Wendys.
John Mifsud,
Fergus
‘Sordid situation’
Dear Editor:
RE: Bad decision, Feb. 22.
I share the frustration and displeasure of J. Alexander at the bewildering decision by Centre Wellington council in declaring Strathallan Park “surplus” so the Catholic school board can cram a high school onto the relatively small site.
My family have lived nearby for over two decades and we are extremely upset over the loss of treasured and much needed green space.
Being forced to cope with the exponential increase in congestion and vehicular traffic is not a burden we relish.
It is evident, at least to me, that this council is no paragon, in terms of engagement and transparency. I feel betrayed and I think blame can legitimately be laid at the feet of the one entity that spawned this sordid situation and the other that permitted it.
Allan Berry,
Fergus
Conserve trees
Dear Editor:
RE: The County of Wellington’s “county” news page, Feb. 29.
On page 35 of last week’s Advertiser, information from the county outlining the so-called forest conservation bylaw, advises us:
“Please call if you plan on cutting or destroying trees in or next to a woodlot to see if a permit is required.” Permits, by the way are free. Wait. What?
What part of this bylaw conserves trees? While the ad goes on to remind us about the value of trees, clearly this bylaw does not actually protect them.
While the county’s award-winning Green Legacy Program grows and plants new trees, conserving our established, growing trees is every bit as important, if not more so.
Toni Ellis,
Neighbourwoods, Tree Trust
‘Short-sighted bill’
Dear Editor:
An open letter to Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott.
I am absolutely appalled that the government wants to reverse the Ontario Energy Board’s (OEB) intelligent decision to end subsidies for extending gas service to new residential developments and to reduce wasteful spending on pipelines. Continuing to subsidize more fossil gas use in the midst of a climate crisis is lunacy.
The government’s dubious statement that ending these subsidies will drive up housing costs and slow home building is nonsense. Installing pipelines takes time and is expensive. Installing heat pumps and induction stoves would speed up home building. Geothermal heating systems would heat entire subdivisions. Piping would be better used for this purpose.
Ted, why am I now subsidizing land developers and Enbridge? When will this insanity of giving my and every other provincial taxpayers money to big business stop?
You know I am disheartened this government is not taking climate change seriously. I just saw you at the Coldest Night of the Year walk. It wasn’t very cold, was it?
The OEB’s decision was made based on detailed evidence and a thorough process. Passing legislation to override that decision while undercutting a body whose job it is to protect consumers is a huge disservice to the people of this province.
Ted, do you still believe in a democracy? Or do you agree with Doug Ford’s intention to override everything he does not agree with, again at taxpayer’s expense?
Recent court cases that the government lost come to mind. I want this government to stop spending my hard earned dollars fighting court cases instead of benefiting everyone in this province on things we actually need. And no, the 413 highway is something none of us needs!
I would like to know what actions you are going to take to ensure this short-sighted bill does not pass, and what you will do to restore the OEB’s initial good judgement.
As your constituent in Wellington Halton-Hills, I respectfully request you make my objections known to Mr. Ford and everyone else involved in this proposed legislation, and that you work diligently to prevent it from passing.
Your children, and mine, deserve nothing less.
Gord Cumming,
Georgetown
‘It’s about land, money’
Dear Editor:
Well it’s easy, we simply don’t need Highway 413. What all Ontarians need is more upgrades and repairs all over our province. Our weather is changing, all of our existing infrastructure desperately needs upgrading to handle these severe weather conditions.
The 413’s 52km route is estimated to cost $10 billion and will take years to build. This will likely balloon over budget and have delays in construction. Prime farmlands, forests, wetlands and wildlife will forever be destroyed. It will slice right through our Greenbelt lands. Not a good idea when we are in a climate crisis.
Mike Harris, the 22nd premier of Ontario, sold the 407 for $3.1 billion. All to gain support and funding for an upcoming election campaign in 1999. Within 15 years (2014), the tolls had risen 300%. The privately owned 407 made $435.2 million last year (2022). The 407 is underutilized and far too expensive. In fact, the 407 is the most expensive toll road in the world.
Doug Ford’s PC government could refund a reasonable percentage of 407 toll costs for trucking companies and business operator’s with company vehicles. The congestion problems on Highways 401, 403, etc. in the GTHA would ease dramatically. The costs will be billions less in public funds than it would be to build the 413. It can be done now. The 413 will take years to build.
The congestion problems are in the urban areas of the GTHA. There is no congestion in our farm fields, in our forests, wetlands, there is no congestion in our rural areas, why bring it?
All of the major highways in the GTHA need many upgrades to keep traffic flowing and save lives. Here are a few examples that have needed upgrades for decades. The enter and exit ramps at highways 400 and 401 are outdated for the traffic volumes of today. It creates deadly, dangerous, bottlenecks. The enter and exit ramps at highways 409 and 427 are outdated as well.
Highway 410 North and Clark Ave area is a highly dangerous bottleneck. Highway 403 from Winston Churchill Blvd. to the QEW is outdated for traffic volumes witnessed today, this section should have been widened decades ago.
Smart stop lights that integrate with changes in traffic flow volumes, we have that technology. Roundabouts that keep traffic flowing and save lives, we vitally need more roundabouts. Upgrades and repairs to our existing roadways will easily defeat the excuse to build the destructive 413.
I think most of us know that it’s really not about a Highway (413). It’s about the land, it’s about money. That would only benefit a few of us!
Terry Brooker,
Orangeville
*Editor’s note: While the 407 may be one of the more expensive toll roads in the world, the Advertiser was unable to find credible sources that definitively list it as the single most expensive on the planet (most have other roads topping the list).
No Bibles?
Dear Editor:
On a recent visit to a Minto library, I asked the librarian where there was a complete Christian Bible including both New and Old Testaments, in a hard copy.
I sent two emails to the chief librarian asking why they were not available in each library. It would seem to be a reasonable request since there are 100 million copies printed each year with five billion distributed throughout the world. It is the most printed book ever.
The return email stated that there are multiple versions of the Bible throughout the 14-branch system, including eBooks and audio book versions, and that there is one hard copy in Wellington County available at the Hillsburgh Library that could be requested and sent to a local library.
Is it too much to ask that each branch has a physical copy available on the shelf for viewing by walk-in readers, without ordering ahead of time?
Vic Palmer,
Clifford
‘Dedicated thespians’
Dear Editor:
In mid February some of our family was able to watch Radium Girls, an amazing true story, come to life on stage at the Fergus Grand Theatre.
What a fine job to all the players and crew of the Elora Community Theatre in presenting this tragic and true account that happened in the Radium Watch Dial Factory in New Jersey in the 1920s. Few of us know that this had actually happened!
It is a difficult thing to portray real-life situations but to be able to show these women individually going through their radiation poisoning was no small feat. The acting, lighting and video presentations were truly amazing.
Kudos go out to director Catherine Johnston for all her work to be able to present this tragic story in such a meaningful way. A lot of hard work for sure by all these dedicated thespians. Elora and Fergus can be very proud to have such talented individuals in our community.
Thank you for what you do!
Florence VanGinkel,
Elora
‘Doug Ford playbook’?
Dear Editor:
RE: Council directs staff to explore childcare centre in Belwood, Feb. 1.
Centre Wellington Mayor Shawn Watters is at it again to promote his child care in Belwood. What is the big secret? And in Belwood with the lowest population in the area? He is pushing hard for this deal.
It sounds like a page out of the Doug Ford playbook. What is the trade-off with the developer? If the developer wants to do something for the community, expand the sportsplex, which is needed now. They could even put their name on it like Jefferson in Elora.
Keep an eye on this deal, folks.
J. Alexander,
Fergus
‘Modern vanilla’
Dear Editor:
Styling cues from the downtown? Which downtown?
I’m all for intensifying the housing density downtown. Would it be possible to find a design that actually complimented the historic centres of Centre Wellington?
Tourism didn’t become a major local industry because we were modern vanilla.
Dave Scharman,
Elora