‘One size fits all’?
Dear Editor:
I am writing to express my concerns over the Wellington-Halton Hills PC candidate Joseph Racinsky declining to participate in any all-candidates meetings in this election.
It would appear that Racinsky is worried about having to answer questions off the cuff and would prefer to speak from a prepared script. This behaviour does not bode well for the residents of Wellington-Halton Hills if Racinsky is elected as our MPP for it will only mean this area will continue to have no representation at the provincial level.
Racinsky has highlighted two key planks in his election platform: continue the advocacy of current MPP Ted Arnott and building infrastructure.
Voters in Halton have expressed frustration for years over the lack of personal representation due to Arnott’s role as speaker (the role requires that representative to remain objective.) While Arnott forwarded our concerns to other MPPs or ministers, I have never even had an acknowledgement from any of those copied on my concerns.
If this is the level of advocacy Racinsky wants to continue, it seems fair to think that the residents will continue to have no representation at Queen’s Park if this riding stays “blue.”
Then there is the matter of building infrastructure. It might interest voters to know that Racinsky declared a conflict of interest at the Jan. 20 Halton Hills council meeting regarding a request for the redistribution of the provincial land transfer tax and GST to municipalities for sustainable infrastructure funding.
It was extremely irresponsible and hypocritical of Racinsky to declare a conflict of interest on this resolution, which would help tremendously in mitigating matters related to increases in the Halton Hills budget. He then went on to repeatedly criticize the budget increase for the town.
He basically abdicated his responsibility to Ward 2 Halton Hills residents and taxpayers in favour of a potential outcome because at this stage Racinsky was still one of three nominees for the riding. His action was extremely premature. He was elected by voters to represent Ward 2 residents in Halton Hills, not to put his own interests over the residents when it suited him.
Then, in a stunning turn of events, there was no meeting to elect a candidate and Racinsky was handpicked by Ford.
Voters, look carefully at Racinsky and his promises and campaign literature. The points in his campaign brochure appear to be common points for all of Ontario, ignoring the unique communities of Wellington-Halton Hills.
We don’t need a “one-size-fits-all” representative. We need someone who will listen to and fight for the concerns of the people who live in this riding.
Susan Cox,
Limehouse
‘Not fair’
Dear Editor:
It is not fair to blame Joseph Racinsky for his appointment as Wellington-Halton Hills PC candidate. The process of replacing Ted Arnott was to conclude less than two weeks before the called election. If the nomination meeting was left on the original schedule, none of the fine people seeking the nomination would have had time to present their platform to the electors.
Please give Racinsky an opportunity to present himself and his platform for Ontario. The province faces many challenges at this time.
We are facing economic trade challenges with no seated federal government. We are facing shortages in health care, housing, child care and education. I believe the province is struggling in these areas due to the federal government’s choice to rapidly increase immigration levels to almost five times the traditional 200,000 per year, and increase the numbers of foreign students by hundreds of thousands per year. All these people need jobs, homes, schools and health care from a system unable to expand fast enough.
Jobs and homes need serviced land. Where in the province will you develop?? Health care needs trained professional doctors and nursing. What is each party’s plan to train and keep these people?
The federal promise of $10-a-day child care falls on the provinces. Does anyone believe that $10 covers the cost of care in a highly regulated business?? How much taxpayer subsidy is coming from seniors and the childless, who face their own challenges?
Our children and grandchildren face the burden of government debt from our generation’s expectation to use government funded entitlement programs paid for with taxes. Can you name a program or benefit that has been cancelled once started??
Can we afford more unfunded promises and programs??
Gordon Thomson,
Guelph-Eramosa
Worst mistake yet?
Dear Editor:
Premier Doug Ford of course, has a history of mistakes.
He cancelled renewable energy contracts, at a cost of $230 million, even as electricity demands grow. He (illegally) froze health care worker incomes during the pandemic, when we needed nurses most. He tried giving wealthy developers a huge piece of the protected Greenbelt, a move which is under criminal investigation by the RCMP.
He plans to build Highway 413 through farms and environmentally sensitive lands, when experts say transit and lower Highway 407 tolls would reduce traffic congestion more cheaply and faster.
He stands idly by while 2.5 million Ontarians can’t find a family doctor and while hospital emergency rooms are overcrowded or closed. He prioritized online gambling and availability of alcohol at gas stations over accelerating access to $10-a-day child care for working families.
According to the auditor general, Ford used a procurement process which was “not fair, transparent of accountable” when giving an Austrian company a 95-year lease and parking for a spa on Ontario Place lands. She noted the cost to tax payers has ballooned to $2.2 billion.
And a recent survey of 12,000 Ontario education workers points to a crisis of understaffing, insufficient support for students and a poor state of repairs in Ontario schools.
Now, as the U.S. declares economic war, yes war, on Canada, and as Canadians and their leaders are furious, concerned and focused on minimizing the damage, Ford sees the opportunity for an unnecessary, early, $200-million election.
Unbelievable, and quite possibly Ford’s most cynical and worst mistake yet!
Peter van Vloten,
Fergus
Remaking Ontario
Dear Editor:
Ontario PC Leader Doug Ford may only have a Grade-12 education but he is still taking lessons from Donald Trump, who he has admiringly called “a marketing genius.”
Ford lived part-time in Chicago between 1999 and 2010, and it is very clear that he loves everything about the United States. Since becoming premier he has tried to remake Ontario in America’s image, with everything from privatizing health care and putting booze in 7-11s to closing independent Service Ontario locations in favour of U.S.-owned Staples stores.
At a time when the United States has revealed itself to be a completely unreliable partner and a serious threat to Canadian sovereignty, Ford is pitching “Fortress Am-Can” – in other words, he would have us increase our reliance on the U.S., and rush into the arms of a mad megalomaniac.
Eight years ago Donald Trump was facing a string of sexual assault allegations. CityNews reporter Cynthia Mulligan asked Ford, “Are you still a supporter of Donald Trump?” Ford’s response was unequivocal: “Absolutely. I wouldn’t waver. Like, the GOP is wavering, I wouldn’t waver.”
In last week’s editorial Wellington Advertiser publisher Dave Adsett dismissed Ford’s lame excuses for calling an unnecessary election. “This election is about one thing,” said Adsett. “Feeding a blowhard’s ego.”
As true as that may be, there is also a bigger picture: if you dream of Canada becoming the 51st state, your best bet is to elect Doug Ford.
Mark Weidmark,
Elora
Buy Canadian
Dear Editor:
People I know were scheduled to take an Alaskan cruise in June with other family members. He called the cruise line recently and told them they would all be cancelling – over $50,000 worth of business – if the tariffs are put in place. I heard of another couple who cancelled a planned trip to Hawaii, even though it cost them to do so.
Folks in Florida and Arizona are coming home this month instead of staying until March and April as planned.
Others have cancelled New York Times subscriptions, Netflix, etc.
I know so many people who’ve given up orange juice and other favourite foods/brands, rather than purchasing U.S. products that I’ve lost count.
I sent this to L.L. Bean today: “I have been a loyal customer for nearly 40 years and I love your clothing and quality. But, given the current political situation, I find it essential to deal with only Canadian companies for the time being.
“If the U.S. public comes to their senses and elects a non-sociopath in future, I may return. Just felt I had to let you know my feelings about this! Thanks for excellent service and great products in the past.”
Helen Marucci,
Fergus
Who’s in charge?
Dear Editor:
Enough of the plans, Justin Trudeau, where is the action, the urgency? The clock is ticking … what is happening? Talk is cheap.
The lack of accountability of our minority government at this moment in time is astounding.
Just who is in charge in Ottawa and what is Trudeau doing? Our PM is MIA except for private meetings and jetting off to God-knows-where. Don’t we, the taxpaying citizens deserve to know what is going on?
We have an unelected man (Mark Carney) getting secret briefings with no security clearance and yet all our elected MP’s are shut out of parliament. What is going on?
The Canadian press on all of this is basically silent instead of demanding to know what is happening. Trump gets elected and now we have found our Canadian pride and nationalism? Hypocrites.
Pipelines were a pariah, now the Liberals are calling for them to run coast to coast. What gives ?
My last point is, demonstrating Canadian pride does not include booing another country’s anthem. It is classless and disgusting. We should be ashamed. It is time for Canadians to grow up.
Canadian pride does not constitute dissing another country, whatever you think of their elected leader, because if that were the norm we’d be booed everywhere we went.
Delsie Drover,
Belwood
Not a ‘team effort’
Dear Editor:
An open letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
You say Canadians are united. That you have a “Team Canada” in place to manage this critical economic crisis.
Then why are our members of parliament banned from this process? The people who we have duly elected as our leaders. Those who represent Canadians from all towns and cities across this country.
Yet you have denied us our fundamental right to have them participating and contributing solutions, by shutting down parliament.
How then can you say Canadians are united? How is this a “team” effort? How is this even democratic?
Larry Vettor,
Guelph
‘Hypocritical’
Dear Editor:
Donald Trump put the screws to Canada to get what he wanted. We needed that kick in the butt to start fixing our system for ourselves.
However, it is hypocritical of Trump to insist on the cleaning of Canada when there is dirt on the front of his own shirt.
In or around 2008, Purdue opened Pandora’s box by creating, marketing and pushing oxycodone as a non-addictive alternative to opiate medication. It did so in a morally bankrupt manner and in swamping the marketplace with their product created a class of addict that needed to escalate his or her use to heroin, morphine and fentanyl in order to satisfy the craving and addiction that had been created because the drug that Purdue said was non-addictive was very addictive.
When the full consequences of the actions of Purdue were realized and assessed, Purdue and its directors were criminally charged. Later, a class action was initiated on behalf of those who got caught in the Purdue lie. The Purdue company and the Sakler family (owners of Purdue) were found guilty in 2020 of criminal liability, as were peripheral individuals.
A fine of approximately $600 million was made against the group. Also, three of the directors of Purdue were individually found guilty of criminal liability. None of these three people have ever spent a day in jail. In January the case against Purdue was settled with Purdue Pharma and Sackler family to pay $7.4 billion in settlement of OxyContin lawsuits.
Trump’s and the U.S. hands are not clean when they threaten tariffs against Canada and state that Canada is the source of their problem with fentanyl. The problem is a joint problem that was initiated in his own country. It has been spurred onward by addiction and greed.
If Trump wants our co-operation in fighting this scourge, then he must show his seriousness, not with tariffs but with holding those who initiated this problem accountable.
He needs to put the directors of Purdue found guilty of criminal liability in jail; and then seize all assets and anything of value from the Sakler family in order to assure the maximum compensation is made to each claimant under the class action settlement. There is now a huge problem with fentanyl – its creation, importation, exportation, use and availability have been the death of thousands.
Both Canada and the U.S. must work on the solution to the problem. If one or the other is not pulling their weight then harsh encouragement needs to be utilized.
The Liberal party and Justin Trudeau, who are without any business sense or accountability, are not the ones to be negotiating and seeking resolution to this issue.
Joy Lippai,
Arthur
Locals ‘deserve better’
Dear Editor:
Much like his apparent role models south of the border, Pierre Poilievre maintains that his vocal opposition to what he calls “wokeism” is in support of meritocracy. Meritocracy certainly reflects values many Canadians, including myself, admire: fairness, hard work and self-reliance. However, Poilievre’s rhetoric once again oversimplifies complex societal challenges and undermines the fairness he claims to champion.
Too many Canadians are still held back by obvious barriers –income inequality, discrimination and unequal access to education – making true meritocracy elusive. Despite Poilievre’s wishful thinking, roadblocks preventing skilled and hard-working Canadians from succeeding and being compensated on an equal footing remain an uncomfortable but objective fact.
Of course, in the real world, a perfectly level playing field is not attainable, but to cite just one example, with women’s wages averaging less than 80% of men’s, Canada still has a considerable way to go. Unfortunately, Poilievre’s simplistic invoking of “meritocracy” as a solution provides a convenient excuse for maintaining the status quo. Ignoring the obstacles presented by prejudice, accessibility and historical disadvantage only perpetuates existing inequalities. Recognizing and dismantling these barriers is essential; our country simply can’t afford to squander the talent and creativity of any fellow Canadians.
Poilievre’s criticism of “wokeism” may speak to some legitimate concerns about bureaucratic overreach and divisive identity politics. However, his blanket and often scornful dismissal of equity and inclusivity initiatives as “garbage” undermines their legitimate purpose of ensuring that merit is not obscured by systemic disadvantage.
Poilievre’s infatuation with inflammatory rhetoric may energize those opposed to progressive change, but does little to address issues important to Canadians. Canadians need affordable housing, accessible health care and education, and meaningful environmental protection. Solutions to these challenges will require empowering all Canadians, not fuelling discord for partisan gain. Securing our place in this rapidly changing world requires an all-hands-on-deck approach, not polarizing slogans that too often provide cover for hate and bigotry.
Building an authentic and just meritocracy is important, but creating more opportunities for the success of qualified, dedicated and energetic Canadians is equally critical. When we embrace diverse perspectives, skills and experiences, we expand opportunities for everyone.
The pie we share can only grow when we can all contribute to it.
To Wellington-Halton Hills MP Michael Chong: your constituents surely deserve better than your leader’s divisive blustering. It would be so much better to hear your voice clearly advocating for policies that would give all Canadians a fair chance in a genuine meritocracy. That is a vision many of us would get behind.
Jonathan Schmidt,
Elora
‘Refuse to be bribed’
Dear Editor:
I refuse to be bribed by Doug Ford’s $200 gift from the public purse (at least partially funded by my own tax money). It is an unnecessary and opportunistic attempt to extend his own job (and indexed pension), which he claims is needed to enable him to fight to defend Ontario jobs from Trump’s tariffs.
Surely it is part of his job description as Premier of Ontario to fight for the rights of Ontario citizens against internal or external threats or interference and does not require a new mandate. He has not previously found it necessary to acquire a new mandate for any other controversial and divisive decision his government made.
As I have received the $200 cheque, I have decided the best use for it is to donate it to one of the opposition parties and I encourage others to do the same. In my case it will be the Green Party of Ontario, which seems to me to have the most thoughtful and beneficial plans for the province.
Brian Mayhew,
Puslinch
‘Dishonest, cynical’
Dear Editor:
My husband and I have received cheques from the Ontario Government in the amount of $200 each, labeled as a “taxpayer rebate.” The accompanying message says that the money is to help “manage the costs of the federal carbon tax and interest rates.”
We will not keep this money. My husband and I have donated it to one of the critical services that the provincial government has failed to fund adequately, namely the public health care system. We are donating the misappropriated $400 to the Milton hospital in our riding, one of many on the front lines of the health care crisis. Health care is critical to every Ontario resident and one of the legislated public services most in need.
This “rebate” will cost the province’s budget about $3 billion and, in our estimation, would have been much better spent improving taxpayer services that have been in decline and/or undermined throughout the tenure of the Conservative government.
Concerning the federal carbon tax program, over the past several years, we have been reimbursed by the federal government, as have 80% of Canadians, for any carbon taxes we have paid. The federal carbon tax program was clearly described from the beginning as a “revenue neutral” program. We find that the provincial Conservative government’s swipe at the carbon tax in the context of this “rebate” is misleading, dishonest and cynical.
Regarding the high interest rates that Ontarians are experiencing, we don’t deny the significant financial hardship people are facing (the amount of $200 hardly even begins to address the need), the meaning of the Conservatives’ paltry financial gesture is neutralized by its primary and political reference to the carbon tax and ultimately should be considered a misuse of public funds.
In addition, we can’t help but interpret this “rebate” as being nothing more than an egregious attempt to “buy” our votes for the PC Party in the forthcoming, unnecessary provincial election.
This party has decided that spending more of Ontario’s taxpayers’ money ($189 million) on an early election to keep itself in power, with the help of the tariff threat, is somehow acceptable – another cynical move.
Linda Sword and John Cripton,
Nassagaweya/Milton
‘Sense of entitlement’
Dear Editor:
It is never correct to assume you have the right to make use of someone else’s property. As we regularly do, our family was out enjoying the trails in our bush. I was on horseback and my husband was on foot, corralling our three dogs.
Unbeknownst to us, a group of skiers and their dog had come across the farm field next to us and entered onto our property. I’m sure the trails looked inviting, but they clearly showed usage by several species on private property.
As our family worked our way around the back of our property, the skiers were headed our way up a different trail. The horse heard them first and spooked. As we all heard the voices, the dogs ran barking towards the group, I tumbled off the horse screaming “stop” at the skiers, and my husband ran to redirect them and get the dogs.
As I tried to calm the horse, I shook with the fear of what could have happened to both of us if he had bolted through the trees. I likely would not be writing this. I could have been grievously injured. He could have turned and crushed my husband. What if our dogs weren’t friendly?
The skiers were oblivious to the danger they posed to our family by trespassing on our property, disappointed at the required backtracking. Their sense of entitlement is unwelcome in this corner of the world we call ours. It’s our property.
Sherri Moyer,
Centre Wellington
’Do nothing’
Dear Editor:
Close to 2,000 Amazon workers are going to be fired. The Amazon workers were only asking for $26 per hour. They are now only receiving $20 per hour!
Amazon CEO and president Andy Jassy pulled in $29.2 million U.S.; the hell with all those workers and the union. Our do-nothing government stated they would look into this mess! I am still waiting to see what our once-great Canadian Labour Congress will do about this. They did nothing for our health care workers, even when the government told them that they were “heroes” but only gave them a lousy 1% raise.
Keith Post,
Guelph
‘Sickened’ by changes
Dear Editor:
Visiting ARC Industries in Guelph (now Guelph Day) I was shocked at the changes. I volunteered there for many years but since COVID-19 have met my friends (clients) on Zoom.
The whole first floor is rented out or closed to our special needs sons/daughters. The wonderful woodwork shop is gone, the huge back space where life skills, work skills, fashion shows, open house in November, is no more thanks to the previous Liberal government.
Parents alone raised well over $40,000 selling pointsettias, our crafts, homemade fudge, etc. at our open house each November. This was all for a place to learn skills, socialize with friends, have a safe place to go every day, help in finding a job if capable, if not, a place to feel accepted and important.
The Ford government doesn’t care about our children either, as they don’t answer my letters even with an acknowledgement they received my letter. My son is not allowed to go back to ARC, where he attended for over 30 years, because he lives in a group home, which is also in jeopardy because of a $3-million deficit in funding from our government for Community Living Guelph Wellington.
This building was built for our special needs sons/daughters and I am sickened by what has happened to it. Only a fraction of those who attended programs on a daily basis are allowed to attend and only two or three days a week. Is this the way our government treats those who are vulnerable and in need of supports for everyday living?
Sylvia Quinn,
Guelph
Congratulations
Dear Editor:
RE: Challinor elected GRCA chair; Watters elected vice chair, Feb. 6.
I would like to congratulate John Challinor on his appointment as chair of the Grand River Conservation Authority.
Hopefully he will be as skilled in the stewardship of the Grand River watershed as he was a lobbyist for, and proponent of, bottled water sales for the biggest bottled water company in Canada.
John Burger,
Orton
Too much garbage
Dear Editor:
RE: Loves new rink, Jan. 23.
A quick note regarding the skating rink in the ball diamond at Victoria Park in Fergus.
First, thank you to those who maintain the rink, cleaning it off with the Kubota, and everyone else who takes their turns shovelling. Also, thank you to those who flood the rink as volunteers and parents to the up and coming hockey greats! Now for the downside. I was down with my grandson the other day and the amount of Gatorade bottles, water bottles and cans was surprising, along with the paper labels just strewn about in the players’ area where everyone puts their skates on.
You almost have to push the garbage pail out of the way to get out of the change area, yet it seems many do not seem to mind leaving their garbage right on the ground.
As the saying goes in camping/hiking “pack it in/pack it out.”
Brian Mackay,
Fergus
‘Lipstick on a pig’
Dear Editor:
Just a reminder that residents have been given an opportunity to participate in the “Puslinch by Design Study,” which will help identify the most ideal locations for future industry in Puslinch. It commits to maintaining the right amount and type of industrial (employment) lands in the right locations, to be compatible with the surrounding area and help maintain rural character. Residents appreciate this chance to have a say and help decide what Puslinch will look like going forward and set a precedent.
Nowadays, we are more aware of the urgent need to protect the health and well being of the people and our planet. We are all stewards of the land with a moral responsibility to look after it. There are important commitments listed in the Wellington County Official Plan such as maintaining rural character, protecting agriculture and environmentally sensitive areas, supporting land stewardship partnerships with residents, committing to healthy communities, etc.
This plan serves Puslinch and applies to the study. The only way to honour these commitments is to direct industry away from farmlands, away from wetlands and environmentally sensitive areas, away from established rural residential, etc. – instead, placing it on lands that are already compromised, lands near other industrial lands, lands where nature, farmland and rural character are already lost and thus the least harm will be inflicted.
Placing industry in a country setting on top of/or adjacent to farmland, environmentally sensitive lands, etc. and then adding some so-called mitigation measures (such as berms and landscaping) cannot possibly protect the land and the people. It is like putting lipstick on a pig.
We are not saying no to industry. We are saying no to irresponsible placement of industry, with the resulting needless destruction.
The website states that Puslinch is the ideal place to call home with its laid back country feel. Together, we can do the right thing for our beautiful township and protect/preserve that rural character before it is too late.
Watch for notification of the Feb. 26 public information meeting some time this winter. We need to act locally to protect Puslinch while we think county-wide as well as globally.
Jim and Donna Christie,
Puslinch