‘Unfortunate approach’
Dear Editor:
Recently, the Wellington County Museum and Archives hosted an excellent and informative exhibition: Not Just Dirt: Digging into the Science of Soil.
In contrast, Pierre Poilievre’s recent assertion in an interview with Jordan Peterson that housing should be affordable because “dirt is cheap” and “Canada has lots of dirt” trivializes the complexities of housing costs and land use. While catchy, his claim either betrays a fundamental lack of understanding or is a deliberate attempt to mislead – an unfortunate approach to a pressing issue in this riding and many others.
Canada’s vast land mass does not equate to affordable housing. As Canadians are well aware, much of this country is uninhabitable or remote, far from infrastructure, services and employment opportunities. Most Canadians live near the southern border because that’s where suitable land, tied to urban amenities, trade and jobs, is concentrated.
This land area is small, in demand and therefore expensive. The population density of the Golden Horseshoe, including Wellington County, exceeds that of the Netherlands. Greater Vancouver’s is even higher. Desirability and access, not merely the abundance of “dirt,” drive land prices.
Moreover, “dirt” is a relatively small component of housing costs. Building homes and communities requires significant investments in labour, materials, roads, water systems, schools and health care. Oversight is essential to ensure safe, sustainable communities.
Governments cannot simply “get out of the way” to make housing cheap. This is just an empty slogan, not policy. Furthermore, the restrictive municipal zoning regulations which Poilievere bemoans are often the products of property owner and developer demands to build and preserve low-density neighborhoods with single-family, detached homes to boost property values. They are not all sinister bureaucratic plots. This is an obvious conundrum for a populist.
In the face of this, Mr. Poilievere’s “proposals” are largely impractical and impotent threats and hand-waving, especially given the reality that the federal government has limited jurisdiction in zoning or municipal planning.
Finally, arable “dirt” is a finite, valuable, living resource, a fact wonderfully illustrated by the exhibition at the Wellington County Museum. Urban sprawl already threatens land crucial for food production and environmental sustainability. Our local farmers can certainly attest that conserving healthy soil is as vital as addressing housing issues. Sacrificing it to poorly planned, inefficient urban expansion jeopardizes future food security, groundwater, livelihoods and exports. Its price should motivate careful and intelligent use.
Our housing challenges demand thoughtful solutions addressing zoning reform, affordability and rampant speculation.
Poilievre’s soundbites trivialize these challenges. It would be splendid if his colleague Michael Chong, having grown up in rural Wellington County, could take a moment to remind his leader about the true value of “dirt”.
Jonathan Schmidt,
Elora
‘Rhetoric over results’
Dear Editor:
RE: ‘Trudeau’s legacy,’ Jan. 23.
As folks from Elora reflect on the legacy of Justin Trudeau’s tenure as prime minister, I can’t help but think there’s still an epidemic of rampant foolishness circulating in Canada.
While some people seem blinded by Trudeau’s polished veneer, more logical folk see him for what he truly is: a lying windbag, concerned only with salvaging his own reputation at all costs. Let’s not mince words – he is not a good person.
The irony of his resignation speech was almost too much to bear. His sudden regret over failing to implement electoral reform is laughable. For nine years, while he held the power to act, electoral reform was conveniently ignored. In fact, his government outright abandoned the pledge to implement proportional representation. Now, when it no longer matters, he expresses regret? Please!
Even more troubling is the staggering debt his government has left behind. Federal spending ballooned to unprecedented levels under Trudeau, often with little accountability or meaningful results. This debt isn’t just a line on a balance sheet – it’s a burden that future generations of Canadians will have to bear. Even his co-pilot, Chrystia Freeland, admitted to “costly political gimmicks” as she distanced herself from his disastrous leadership. Again, too little, too late!
Absolutely nothing of value came from our federal government during the last nine years, no matter how you spin it. This era should serve as a cautionary tale, a reminder of what happens when style triumphs over substance. While it’s tempting to wish this chapter could be scrubbed from the history books, we must remember it as a warning. Even the worst parts of our past, though not celebrated, should not be forgotten.
It’s time for Canadians to demand more from our leaders: integrity, accountability and effective governance. If we don’t, our country will continue to be led by those who value image over action and rhetoric over results.
Doug Vanderveen,
Belwood
‘Asphyxiated’
Dear Editor:
Reports indicate that the Doug Ford government will seek dissolution of the Ontario legislature and proceed to a provincial election. Ford claims he needs a fresh “mandate” to deal with costs attached to tariffs that may be imposed on Canada by the Trump government in the U.S.
An Ontario election at this time is unnecessary and expensive, and risks hurling the province headlong into a storm that already involves federal Liberal leadership and the prospect of a national election. The leaders of both Ontario opposition parties recognize this and have declared that Ford has the “mandate” he needs to deal with what is at hand, and that an election before the ordinary timeline of June 2026 is unnecessary.
An Advertiser reader compiled in her letter to the editor in November (‘Caters to the wealthy,’ Nov. 28, by Burna Wilton) the extraordinary costs attached to the Ford government manoeuvres in several areas including cancelling alternative energy projects (and now Ontario is about to incur major costs involving support of the same alternative sources of energy.)
Fiascoes surrounding the Ontario Science Centre and Ontario Place redevelopment, cancellation of Beer Store contracts, and dismantling bike lanes each involve huge costs. The Highway 413 and Ontario Greenbelt scandals have investigations under way and may result in criminal charges.
The “freebies” not asked for in $200 cheques currently rolling out to citizens, and the waiver of vehicle registration fees will contribute to a projected deficit of $6.6 billion in the 2024-25 fiscal year.
In addition there have been cuts and frozen or inadequate funding for services that Ontarians need and rely upon. Colleges and universities, health care, housing, services for high needs citizens in child welfare, the disabled, and others are being asphyxiated.
Few or none of the decisions on those matters arose from the Ford government’s previous election platform, nor from citizen input that might have provided in any way a “mandate.” Yet now Ford asks for a fresh mandate that opposition parties agree is unnecessary.
A mandate dealing with the possible tariff item is no more needed than was a need for a mandate for costs incurred surrounding the COVID-19 response.
Ontarians see through the craven and reckless opportunism involved in this manoeuvre. Stick to your knitting, premier, and help get the province and the country through the hot mess confronting us.
The original timetable for a provincial election in 2026 will suit just fine. At that time citizens can consider a genuine mandate against a background of the whole performance of the Ford government.
Vernon Lediett,
Guelph-Eramosa
Wants loan terms
Dear Editor:
Last week Canada gave Canada Post a loan for $1 billion .
Perchance, as Canadian tax payers, we could be furnished with the terms of the loan.
What is the rate of interest ?
What is the repayment schedule ? What is the penalty for late or non-payment ?
A quarterly accounting of the loan status, no doubt, will be provided.
Jim McClure,
Crieff
‘Time to act’
Dear Editor:
RE: ‘Stop the 413,’ Jan. 23.
Praise for Terry Brooker defending the rural environment and “the well-being of present and future generations.” From every direction, voices rise against the need for more highways and more pits.
Brooker reminds us that the common sense, visible solution is right before our eyes: Highway 407 changed to low- or no-cost tolls for commercial trucking to immediately reduce congestion. No build time. No construction pollution/degradation, a boost to business, fluidity of movement.
It’s time to act for our economy rather than react to distractions. Come on, Doug. Make it happen. Win our admiration!
Bronwen Stanley-Jones,
Mount Forest
Not discriminatory
Dear Editor:
Kudos to Wellington County councillors Steve O’Neil and Campbell Cork for their small reduction in expenses for the final county budget. They have the right attitude for fiscal accountability, even if not large results. Too bad Centre Wellington does not have a finance committee like the county.
Recently, there has been an editorial and flurry of letters admonishing the county election process for the selection of warden and chair positions on committees by implying deep structural discrimination of women and minorities.
If we look at the evidence of the last 25 years since township amalgamations, this is not an accurate description of reality.
There have been two female wardens: in 2004, county councillor Lynda White, who served over 12 years on county council before getting the nod, and in 2008, Centre Wellington Mayor Joanne Ross Zuj.
In the last 25 years, 12 out of 13 wardens have been mayors. That means 92.3% of the time the warden will be picked from the mayoral candidates and councillor Lynda White was the exception to the rule, probably because amalgamation was more work for mayors at the time.
If you look deeper, first-time mayors generally don’t get to be warden either, but must be re-elected for a second term and at least serve as chair for finance and/or planning.
I can definitely say that mayoral experience is different from a councillor’s experience, with more public and administrative responsibilities that match the warden’s responsibilities.
Statistics Canada data from 2001 for Guelph and Wellington County showed 96 per cent of the population is of European heritage and 4% non-European. In 2023 this changed to 80.6% European and 19.4% non-European. Most of that change (75%) has been in Guelph.
It generally takes a second generation of non-European heritage to apply for elected positions and would be even more rare to become the mayor. This is not discrimination but natural organic demographic evolution of our great Canadian mosaic.
Finally, rather than projecting immature categories of resentment, grievance and conspiracy of the ideological sort onto reality to foster division, we need to get back to what I would call MACIE (merit and competence, intelligence and excellence) in public service and all citizens’ representation, especially taxpayers.
Is the county perfect? No, but it is not structurally discriminatory.
Stephen Kitras,
Centre Wellington
‘Pack your bags’
Dear Editor:
RE: Aypa Power donates undisclosed sum to local United Way campaign, Jan. 23.
If Aypa Power wants to be a good corporate citizen, disclose the amount donated and not keep it a secret. What else is being kept a secret?
Don’t use a charity to be a wolf in sheep’s clothing and try to slip in the back door to get your project approved.
You have been told loud and clear that Centre Wellington residents don’t want you here. The residents are a lot smarter than you think. Pack your bags and go.
J. Alexander,
Fergus
‘A lifeline’
Dear Editor:
Is Enbridge Working with Doug Ford to make electricity more expensive?
The Government of Ontario recently announced a new $10,000 solar and battery rebate as part of the Home Renovation Savings Program. Although it may look like a bright idea, the fine print is certain to cast a shadow over solar adoption. While the program appears to provide lower energy costs for Ontario home owners, its exclusion of solar net metering will undermine its very purpose, tethering Ontarians to fossil fuels at their higher cost.
Think of solar net metering as a two-way street: homeowners generate electricity with solar panels, and when they produce more than they need, they send the surplus to the grid to power their community, earning credits on their hydro bill. It’s a win-win. Without net metering, however, this system becomes a one-way dead end that leads straight back to fossil fuel dependency.
The current proposal, which prohibits net metering for rebate recipients, raises questions about who truly benefits. Is this a genuine push for more local clean power for the people or a veiled effort to keep the fossil gas industry making profits? As it stands, the cost of solar and battery storage is about $0.12/kWh compared to fossil gas peaking power at $0.22/kWh. Yet, eliminating net metering ensures more fossil gas is burned, driving up costs and emissions for all of Ontario.
Essentially, the $10,000 rebate money is being transferred to Enbridge Gas, who is administering the Home Renovation Savings Program in partnership with SaveOnEnergy, a trademark of the Independent Electricity System Operator.
This is like asking Ontarians to install a rainwater collection system but then forbidding them from using the overflow to water their community garden. It makes no sense unless you’re in the business of selling water.
Premier Ford’s recognition of solar as a local, affordable energy solution is commendable. But with Enbridge Gas administering the program, it feels like letting the fox guard the henhouse. Enbridge’s interest in sidelining net metering is clear. Every kilowatt-hour of excess solar power exported to the grid is one less kilowatt-hour of fossil gas they can sell at premium, peak-demand rates.
We urge the Ontario Energy Board to ensure net metering remains a cornerstone of renewable energy adoption. Let’s make it clear: Ontarians deserve the right to share their power, not just generate it. Cutting off net metering is like cutting the anchor from a ship. It leaves Ontario homeowners adrift in a sea of fossil fuel dependency.
Let people take control of their energy bills, fight climate change, and invest in a cleaner, more affordable future for everyone. Net metering isn’t a loophole. It’s a lifeline.
The time to act is now. Premier Ford, will you stand with Ontarians or with the fossil gas giants?
Steve Dyck,
President, Guelph Solar