A role to play
Dear Editor:
Many years ago, when news that native children had been mistreated at residential schools across Canada, I said nothing except, perhaps, to friends and acquaintances.
Later, when story after story of missing and murdered Indigenous women occupied most nightly newscasts, again, I had nothing useful to contribute.
A few years ago, acting on a genuine impulse to learn, my wife and I attended a series of lectures about First Nations people and their culture and treaty rights, offered by Third Age Learning at the University of Guelph. Two years ago, I volunteered to edit an anthology of writings by First Nations students and faculty members at Seneca College, but through both experiences, I remained largely unengaged and, to be blunt, only marginally sympathetic to Aboriginal issues and to the growing entreaties for justice made by First Nations leaders to various governments.
Small wonder that when I reached out to a friend this week for some guidance on what role there might be for a white male in his 70s to play, no matter how small, in the wake of revelations that the burial of hundreds of native children who attended residential schools had been, at the very least callously and possibly at the very worst criminally, covered up, her response was curt and dismissive. I guess she figured I had it coming. I guess I have to agree, having a history of saying title and doing less to demand justice for Canada’s Native peoples.
Nevertheless, my friend did connect me with someone who gave me what I think is excellent advice. And so, I pass it along to anyone else who, like me, may have finally awakened to the systemic injustices that have been visited upon the First Nations people of Canada, and who want to help in a way that is both practical and acceptable to Native people.
My adviser is an Aboriginal man who was born in northern Ontario. He’s an expert in First Nations governance with decades of experience advocating for northern communities. His advice? Write letters.
I understand that a concentrated letter-writing campaign – by an individual or by a group – can lead to action. Anyone who reads this can write to the prime minister, to the premiers, to federal and provincial cabinet ministers, to members of the shadow cabinets at both the federal and provincial level.
We all can write letters to the editors of various newspapers and to the national leaders of our various mainstream churches – particularly to the leaders of those churches that were involved in residential schools.
The tone needn’t be strident or angry, but it should be insistent. We should make it clear that we expect action, that we expect justice for First Nations people and that we’re not asking!
Bob Cooper,
Elora
‘Antiquated views’
Dear Editor:
RE: Obviously out of step, June 24.
“What makes you say that?” As a teacher, I would use this question to have my students support what they were saying.
While reading Dave Adsett’s editorial on the St. David St. reconstruction, my mind often asked that very question. What evidence does he have to say the things he said? I would need a weekly column for a year to address all the holes, biases, and misleading use of information presented in the editorial.
It’s a pity that the platform of having an editorial does not elevate the debate of what constitutes a happy and healthy community. A debate, I would argue, we need. Instead, it divides us, much like Highway 6 physically divides us, by putting us in various camps with narrow self-interests (cyclists, business owners, planners, councillors, car owners, etc.). We are all citizens of Centre Wellington. Period.
Adsett needs to elevate the discussion by asking questions that reflect a broader understanding of the issues and how those issues affect our citizens? The concerns Adsett highlighted in his editorial were about cost, parking, and congestion. Did he consider the following? What is the cost of speeding? What is the cost of mitigating global warming? What is the cost of dealing with our health crisis? What do the experts say is the best way to deal with parking?
The same can be asked of congestion. Research the concept of “induced demand.” The research is surprising. When it comes to getting what I wished for, it is far from it. I wish we would discuss issues facing our community with openness to information and understanding that our citizens can handle the nuances of a good discussion.
Also, I have a wish to have a healthier and happier community for future generations. However, wishing it will not make it happen. Building a better future requires action as well as debate. So, let’s build this future based on research and not worn-out antiquated views with little to no backing.
John Scott,
Elora
Cannabis ‘overreach’
Dear Editor:
RE: Erin council reconsidering cannabis stores, June 24.
Can you say “overreach”? That’s exactly what struck me … It’s interesting how something so regulated, with so many hoops to go through prior to opening requires council to weigh-in, in addition to public opinion.
All of planning consultant Angela Sciberras’ list of “pros” are valid. Her list of “cons” – ie. additional smoking bylaws and enforcement, little control over the number of stores/locations and concerns of over clustering – I feel are not. That last one gave me a chuckle when I consider how many pizza joints are in Erin.
Next are councillor Michael Robins’ concerns over the “look and feel” of the stores. A simple trip to a store in Guelph would put Robins’ “visual concerns” to rest. We’re not talking a “bootleggers” look here, folks. All product is hidden and secured well within the confines of the store. Most stores have a person dedicated to “age-verification” and those who don’t meet the legal requirement are escorted out. In fact, most stores are quite upscale. And would build upon the cachet that the salivating, pro-WWTP developers are looking for in this “bucolic” little town.
Yeah, I’m sure the thought of a cannabis dispensary within this small rural town will draw up visions of Crockett and Tubbs busting a cartel or two a week, but the reality is it’s a strictly regulated product that also has medical benefits, in addition to recreational. That’s something the LCBO at the south end of town certainly can’t brag about….
I’d say to Robins and the rest of Erin council, look to the regulations of actually opening a weed shop in Ontario and then top it off with a field trip to a few local dispensaries and ask your questions to their managers. You just might be surprised at the answers.
Brett Davis,
Orton
‘Voracious enemy’
Dear Editor:
RE: Gypsy moth caterpillars plaguing trees across Wellington County, June 24.
During the last two summers, we learned that not only are European gypsy moths cunning critters, hiding in crevices and under loose tree bark, but the hairs on these caterpillars contain a toxin to which some folks are allergic. It’s wise to wear gardening gloves with neoprene fingers when squishing caterpillars, or collect them into a bucket of soapy water, then leave for three days before emptying to be sure they’re dead.
In late summer and fall, those toxic hairs coat beige, 25-cent-sized clusters of about 500 to 1,000 eggs each. Lightly spray an egg mass with water to prevent the hairs from wafting into your eyes, nose or mouth before scraping them with a spoon into a container. Bury, burn or flush eggs down the toilet. By late winter and spring, the hairs have weathered away; egg masses look white, no protection needed.
In the spring, local garden centres and online businesses sell tree banding kits, BTk spray and moth traps (only for males since females can’t fly).
Apparently, gypsy moth caterpillars find our birch, oak, apple, willow, poplar and aspen, even the tender tips of tamarack, particularly tasty. We find them everywhere, surprisingly, on raspberry bushes.
Photos of all four gypsy moth stages – egg mass, caterpillar, pupa, male and female moths – are available online.
It’s a challenging, labour intensive battle to defend our trees from this voracious enemy.
Louise McMullen,
Erin
Save water now
Dear Editor:
As a centenarian, I have seen many methods of saving water.
In my youth in Holland there was only a square basin indoors to catch rain, as the nearby sea prevented any pure water wells. In Canadian farms we had a well discovered by a water “witcher.” In both these cases water was very precious and used sparingly, often collected and reused!
Later wells were drilled near under ground water sources. Later still, whole towns had water supplied for all their inhabitants.
In the 1990s I was amused to see adults carrying plastic bottles of water everywhere. No one would be thirsty again!
But now I read of protesters walking in the Guelph, Erin, Elora and Aberfoyle areas – to awaken us to the importance of preserving our water sources!
We have allowed companies to use our basic need of water, into a convenient and disposable clutter!
Every speaker’s desk has plastic bottle of water, every car driver gulps from a bottle, even pedestrians slurp from a bottle in their back packs, and mothers place a bottle in a child’s school pack too!
Surely every one knows that this water in the plastic containers came from the tap! We are never far from a drink of water nowadays.
Almost any hallway has a water tap – with a paper cup too!
We are so very far from that early outside pump that we forget that water comes from the ground – far, far underground.
What if it stopped? What will it take to awaken us to be very, very sparing of this precious source of our very lives?
The walkers in the Ear to the Groundwater protest need our support.
Mother used to say “mark my words…” if she wanted to really impress a word of caution. So I caution you younger folks, mark my words of caution: save your water now – while it is still here!
Sytske Drijber,
Rockwood
‘Expensive frauds’?
Dear Editor:
Wind turbines and solar power (WTSP) systems are expensive frauds.
Although they have an adoring mainstream media (MSM) following, after decades of use they are simply not performing nearly as efficiently as our existing systems. Effectively they are expensive parasites on our main grid.
Frankly, I doubt anyone would build WTSP systems unless bribed by subsidies (provided by our carbon taxes) and nonsensical guaranteed long-term government contracts.
Yet watch a MSM ad for anything (banks to dog food) and a WTSP system is in the background. The problem still remains that when wind doesn’t blow, and the sun doesn’t shine (often when most needed) these systems produce zero. Electricity must be used when created and massive batteries that effectively store/smooth out large-scale distribution simply do not exist (decades away at this point).
The key headline is that there is no need for Canadians to urgently move to “green power” anyway. We are by far the “greenest power producer” anywhere for a country of our population size (or larger) thanks to hydro (water) and nuclear power mainstays. No other country is even close! Yet have you heard our leaders or MSM say this? It should be a point of pride!
Canadians must understand that WTSP technologies are simply poor substitutes. Given our new massive public debt we can no longer afford such poor “green” choices of power systems and frankly we do not have to. Our leaders need to be smarter and more honest (some hope there). Better solutions do exist.
Mike Hall,
Guelph/Eramosa
‘Trudeau autocracy’
Dear Editor:
An open letter to heritage minister Steven Guilbeault.
You have stated that you believe only a minority of Canadians are concerned about internet freedom. I believe you are wrong, or more probably that you have simply stated the party line of the Trudeau autocracy.
It is imperative in any democratic country that we defend the rights of people to be able to access unfettered information. This government has worked hard to get a sanctioned press, and it has worked for you. Just compare the news that comes out of the CBC with that of non-funded free news outlets. The CBC and others have become the state media for your Liberal Party. But of course you know this.
So where do the people have to go to get true coverage of the news? There is only one option, they have to thread their way through the partial truths and lies of the internet, and form their own opinions. This is not ideal but it seems to me a little better than having your opinions formed for you in the sanctioned press by professional opinionaters.
So please do not form the Canadian Ministry of Controlled News, or some such, in your bloated government. Please let us access what we wish from the internet. We will anyway, you will just drive it underground.
On second thought perhaps that is what we have to do anyway with your government in power. Like North Korea or China perhaps?
Michael Lee,
Salem
Defrock them
Dear Editor:
We read with shock about conditions at the former Kamloops residential school for Indigenous children where 215 died.
In Canada how can we forgive or overlook the abuse of Indigenous children by both church and state, that occurred for more than a century? Over those decades about 13 prime ministers were in charge, including Macdonald, Abbot, Diefenbaker, Kim Campbell and Harper.
From the Vatican the Pope speaks of “shocking” news from Kamloops. I’d like to see the Pope and his robed buddies defrocked. Replace their robes with overalls, and give them brooms and shovels and an eight-hour work day.
The Vatican buildings/grounds can be opened up exclusively for the homeless, with pope and priests physically tending to their meals, their bathing, and other care. Follow their leader, who according to their Bible, washed people’s feet.
Helen Hansen,
Guelph
The responsible thing
Dear Editor:
I’m writing to respond to recent contributors to the Letters to the Editor section who are apparently vaccine-hesitant.
I do agree that one of the freedoms we all enjoy in our society is the ability to make our own decisions about whether we want to get vaccinated or not, and if so when. But those writers are wrong if they believe their personal choice has no impact on the rest of us.
Every one of us who makes the choice to delay vaccination or not to get vaccinated at all is helping to keep the COVID risk pool that much larger. COVID will only continue to spread in our community if it can find unvaccinated hosts to land on. The smaller and smaller that we collectively make that pool, the less chance it will find a foothold, the safer we will all be, and the sooner all of us and all of our businesses and institutions can fully return to a normal life. People will get their jobs and lives back sooner, and with more certainty that we won’t have to go back into some kind of lockdown again.
We are all collaborators here, and we all need to work together constructively.
My wife and I and all of our kids have already had both doses. I made that personal choice to protect myself, to protect my family, but also very much to do my part to protect my community. I am incredibly proud of the how rapidly the majority of Wellington and Dufferin residents have decided to trust science and do the same thing. Also, a big shout out to the hard-working people at public health and the countless volunteers who have chipped in to help.
This has taken 125 lives so far in Wellington-Dufferin and done so much lasting damage to the livelihood and mental health of so many of our residents. Please do the responsible thing and get vaccinated. It’s easy to do, and we all need you to step up.
Paul Taylor,
Elora