‘Childish and churlish’
Dear Editor:
RE: Fanciful tale, March 13.
Reading this letter, I was amazed at the childish and churlish reaction to the wealth of a local company who has enjoyed great success while benefitting other local businesses through their marketing acumen.
Kat Florence’s approach has enabled many local businesses to stay afloat during lean winter months. Furthermore, they have restored a number of decrepit buildings to better-than-new condition.
Has the author of this letter been around the Gorge Theatre on weekends to see dozens of kids attend free movies? Some of these kids would normally not have the resources to do so.
How are the Kat Florence investments in Elora different from those made by Jefferson in purchasing the naming rights for the Elora arena?
How about the MacDonald Trust that contributed over $3.4 million to Elora 10 years ago? Were you visible with your complaints at that time?
Finally the author of this letter seems to imply that online bullying is no big deal. However, it is too easy for a number of people to hide behind the trash they post on social media that is intended to hurt others.
I for one am glad that local businesses will now have the financial and legal means to push back against these cowards. Let’s see how brave you are when you are on the receiving end of a civil defamation law suit.
Art Kollee,
Elora
Did he really visit?
Dear Editor:
The main feature of the campaign of Progressive Conservative Party Wellington-Halton Hills candidate Joseph Racinsky was that he would travel around the riding and personally introduce himself to voters, instead of attending debates with the opposing parties’ candidates.
But to what capacity was that campaign real? And what was Racinsky’s message to the voters? I ask those questions because he didn’t visit my residence.
Therefore, I’m curious if other residents of the Wellington-Halton Hills riding were visited by Racinsky and what he had to say.
Dylan Clarke,
Elora
Carney no ‘saviour’
Dear Editor:
With the possibility of an upcoming federal election, Canadians need to start thinking of what is better for Canada: more of the same maniacal spending and soul crushing taxes of the Liberals, the flip-flopping NDPs or the unknown of the Conservatives.
Let’s face it, politicians are like the rest of the population, doing a job to put bread on the table and money in their pockets; some put their heart into it and some don’t.
A lot of mainstream media attention is being given to the new Liberal leader who touts himself as the saviour of both the Canadian and British economies while head of their banks. Before giving your vote to Mark Carney perhaps it would be advisable to look beyond mainstream media.
With regard to Mr. Carney’s “saving” of the British economy, take a look at what Liz Truss, former British PM has to say about him on her YouTube podcast. Look beyond what is being pushed into your face.
Margaret Chapman,
Belwood
Another ‘untruth’?
Dear Editor:
For starters, just to set the record straight, Mark Carney’s position was confirmed in a letter he wrote supporting the decision to move the headquarters for Brookfield Asset Management to the U.S. well prior to the debate.
One of his several problems is that he stated in the debate for Liberal leadership that the decision was made well after he stepped away and he had no part in it. We can see now that was completely untrue.
Carney has advised the Liberal Party – Justin Trudeau’s government – for years.
Also, he is unclear about what sort of carbon tax will appear in the future. If you tax something at the front or rear of a product or process the end user pays more, plain and simple.
And who knows, like the business dealing from his board, are we simply being told an untruth?
Donald Trump is a total dimwit but he has no use for Liberals period. Mark Carney is going to have no more success than Trudeau.
Trump, like Russian President Vladimir Putin, senses weakness and we are up right now due to weak Liberal policies and the same old Liberals, just with a new face at the top.
From my perspective, the Liberals are playing a shell game right now and although it sounds a bit paranoid, I think they are behind scenes dragging this out to gain election advantage.
Doak McCraney,
Guelph
‘Yesterday’s man’
Dear Editor:
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is yesterday’s man with yesterday’s ideas, ill-equipped to tackle our current crises and future reality. His abrupt shift from echoing MAGA talking points in January to calls for a united response to Trump’s threats to Canadian sovereignty weeks later is unconvincing, even if personally sincere.
His outdated approach to economic policy predictably relies on neoliberalist ideology that has failed to deliver broad prosperity and is demonstrably ineffective in addressing modern economic realities.
Poilievre’s unwavering, nostalgic belief in trickle-down versions of capitalism, “small government” and deregulation mirrors the Milton Friedman-tainted ideas of the 1980s that have driven grotesque wealth inequality and real wage stagnation or decline for many Canadians.
Poilievre is remarkably elusive regarding the specifics of his economic policy proposals, often preferring culture war bombast to serious discussion. His few substantive policies fail to account for contemporary realities like income disparity, globalization, the internet economy, climate change, and artificial intelligence. Simply “getting the government out of the way” is his hazy approach to issues like housing affordability, education and health care, which require comprehensive, coordinated solutions.
Poilievre’s approach to taxation will benefit primarily the wealthiest corporations and individuals and provide marginal tax relief for most Canadians while leading to further reductions in services and increased living costs.
But what is most unsettling about Poilievre’s leadership is his lack of imagination. Canada faces seismic shifts in global trade, alliances, climate policy and technological advancements, including a complete revolution of the economy driven by the rise of artificial intelligence.
Poilievre romanticizes about a past when hard work and “traditional values” were sufficient for success. This mirage has particularly little to offer younger Canadians facing challenges like student debt, precarious employment, environmental degradation, a housing market out of reach for many and an increasingly monopolized economy. Indeed, his advice to younger Canadians often seems simply patronizing.
Facing an increasingly and often perilously interconnected world, in which trade, climate change and artificial intelligence will play dominant roles, there is no turning back the clock.
We need well-informed, reality-based economic proposals, not retreads of stale neoliberal policies and sidetracking MAGA talking points.
Poilievre’s views on sustainability, equity, public health and fossil fuels have alarmingly garnered praise from his counterparts south of the border but would leave Canadians ill-prepared for the realities of the 21st century.
Which direction are you looking to Wellington-Halton Hills MP Michael Chong? In the rear-view mirror with your leader or towards the future?
It’s time for all Canadians to ask: do we want leadership that clings to suspect economic models and divisive rhetoric, or one that embraces innovation and cooperation to meet the challenges ahead?
Jonathan Schmidt,
Elora
Chong ‘silent’
Dear Editor:
RE: MPs divided on tariff response plan, March 13.
In last week’s Advertiser local MPs Michael Chong, Lloyd Longfellow and John Nater responded to the current tariff response plan.
There was general agreement on retaliatory tariffs but I was confused by Michael Chong’s call for Parliament to be recalled.
The Conservatives have been desperate for an election for many months and all indications are that one is imminent.
The last few months when parliament was open were dysfunctional. We don’t need more politicking in the House of Commons or to give parties a platform to score political points. We need to elect a government and get on with strengthening Canada, with a prime minister that is focused on governing.
Chong also followed the Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) line in noting that the money raised by counter tariffs should largely go to broad-based tax cuts. Tax cuts that would be untargeted and disproportionately favour the wealthy. The Liberal Party’s new leader, Prime Minister Mark Carney, has said counter tariff dollars should largely be targeted to providing relief directly to Canadians affected by Trump’s tariff war.
Within our riding, Chong has been silent recently. While his website displays mostly old news, his recent posts on X (an Elon Musk Company) are almost all re-posts of statements by Pierre Poilievre, leader of the CPC.
Poilievre and the CPC have been very successful over the last few years in touting what is wrong with Canada. Their main foils, the past PM and carbon tax, are now gone and they seem to be struggling to find something to oppose.
Poilievre spends a lot of time telling us who he thinks other people are and defining himself by who and what he is currently opposing or attacking. Since he expects his MPs to follow the party line, this is how they are also being defined.In his less scripted moments or during interviews with friendly right-wing media, we get to see that some of Polievre’s MAGA-like views on social issues are disturbing.
Mr. Chong, please let your constituents know what you think even if it doesn’t mean playing follow the leader. Unlike the PC candidate in the recent Ontario election, please participate in local debates.
The stakes of the coming election are too high to stay quiet and toe the party line. We are listening.
Robert Mitchell,
Fergus
‘Smear campaigns’
Dear Editor:
Within a short time Canadians will be asked to vote in a federal election.
Quite frankly, it is difficult to sort through the various policies.
Something that will not be useful, or even harmful, are the “ads” all the parties will run.
Like most commercials, they will be widely misleading, and cannot be trusted, whether they are approved by the Liberals or the Conservatives.
In an age in which everyone is concerned about what to believe and not believe, I would say, half-truths are dangerous.
These smear campaigns by both the Liberals and the Conservatives are not icons of truth telling, but propagate mistrust among the public and leave them vulnerable to being lied to on a daily basis.
Why are they allowed? My guess is because fact checking is not a priority for the platforms that carry them when commercial interests carry the day.
Janet Calderwood,
Rockwood
‘Despicable’ people
Dear Editor:
This letter is addressed to the despicable human being or beings who failed to pick up the poop of their dog or dogs all winter.
Now that the substantial snow has melted, the Millburn Park walkways and the splashpad in Fergus are covered significantly in piles of excrement.
You obviously have no respect for your pet, other pets, your adult and child neighbours, and other community members.
Please do the right thing by attending to cleaning this up yourself immediately before the municipality is unfortunately forced to assign this task to a staff member.
Quite frankly, this behaviour on your part makes it very clear that you are not a responsible pet owner and you do not deserve to have one.
Kathy O’Grady,
Fergus
’TRUMPID-25’
Dear Editor:
I had great expectations for global economic recovery from COVID-19 in 2025, but unfortunately we’ve have a new global pandemic that no one will be immune to. There won’t be a vaccine or home remedy that will cure or alleviate any of the symptoms.
TRUMPID-25 has been tracked directly to Mar-a-Lago Palm Beach, Florida, with its first epidemic detected in Washington, DC.
It has immediately jumped the northern and southern U.S. borders, where efforts to fight the virus are being pursued by government leaders and citizens. Threats of exposure are also suspected in China.
Incubation is between one to two weeks. Contagion time is undeterminable citizens could experience a pause midway through infection.
Viral or antibody tests are not effective as this virus changes without notice.
It is assumed everyone will develop symptoms sooner or later, with lower and middle income population being at greatest risk.
Symptoms include: increased patriotism, increased stress, head and body aches, financial burden, loss of financial benefits, extreme currency fluctuations, change of plans, restricted and or delayed purchases, lack of joy, sore feelings, bad taste in your mouth, insomnia, restless leg, loss of employment, burning in the pit of your stomach, aggression, possible addiction to mind altering substances, alcoholism, ostrich syndrome, weight gain, weight loss, hair loss, chewed fingernails … a complete list will be published as the virus develops.
Treatment option include: sit down and hold on.
Masks, gloves and anti-bacterial wash are ineffective. I wish it was that easy.
Prognosis: it is expected that this will set the whole of North America back to 1929 to 1939 economic depression.
Heather Aitken,
Fergus
‘Attack dog’
Dear Editor:
Respect to all Canadians for standing up to the disgraceful treatment of our country by U.S. President Donald Trump and his crew of clowns. We will soon have to choose the leader and party who will represent us as a country; counter force to Trump and our face to the world.
In a recent letter to the editor (‘Work together,’ March 6) one writer suggested a “wartime” cabinet made up of members of all parties.
In theory, it would be a powerful message from Canada to the world. In practice, it would be impossible with the current attack dog, Canada-is-broken leader of the opposition.
Pierre Poilievre’s recent idea to direct most of the dollars raised by Canada’s counter tariffs to a tax cut is a clear cut example. Tax cuts would benefit wealthier Canadians at tax time while providing no immediate support to workers or companies soon to be affected by Trump’s policies.
As someone who has voted for all the major political parties over the years, I suggest this election requires vision, forethought and plans from all parties, not catchy slogans. We need to understand the CPC vision of how they would handle the American administration in the coming years. We know where the Liberals are going with Trump.
Most Canadians seem on board with the response of our governments, provincial and federal.
Connections have been formed between federal ministers and their counterparts in the U.S.
We need to consider if we should keep those competent people on the job.
Examine the parties.
Pay attention to the leader’s views, not only on Trump but on defence, the state of Canada, the economy and social issues like equality.
If you dig a little into his interviews with right-wing personalities you will find some views by Mr. Poilievre in regards to gender diversity and DEI that are disturbingly Trumpian.
We are all in this together. In the coming election we need the parties to tell us what they are going to do for Canada and its people and how they would work with others to accomplish their goals not just why the other parties and their leaders are so bad.
Joanne Mitchell,
Fergus