‘Strong and free’
Dear Editor:
Congratulations to all Canadians for demonstrating that we are a strong and free democracy.
At a time when it is estimated that more than 70% of the world’s population is ruled by authoritarian, illiberal or undemocratic governments, Canadians have compellingly shown that free and fair elections are the cornerstone of our sovereignty and nationhood.
However, voting is only one facet of democracy. It is now incumbent upon us to hold our elected officials accountable, ensuring that the government responds to the needs of all Canadians, respects our rights and diverse opinions, uses our collective resources wisely, and governs with honesty and transparency.
The days ahead will be challenging; neither hubris nor complacency will serve us. Now is the time to build an even stronger community through dialogue, service and mutual respect.
In this spirit of democratic engagement, I would also like to express my appreciation to Advertiser publisher Dave Adsett and editor Chris Daponte for their long-standing support of free speech and public dialogue.
At a time when so much of our local and national media are dominated by foreign or large corporate interests, the Wellington Advertiser continues to provide a remarkably authentic community forum for which we should all be grateful.
Jonathan Schmidt,
Elora
‘Fear mongering’
Dear Editor:
Tragedy has struck. I am not ashamed to say that I wept when it was announced that Mark Carney would be continuing his term as prime minister.
Friday night, my dad and I stood in the kitchen discussing the turmoil that would befall this very win. I leaned against the stove with what I am sure seemed a look of boredom and disinterest. However, it was not that. It was simply grief.
I envisioned my father’s heartbreaking reiteration of an official Carney government, what this country would look like, should he win. Tiny homes on government land. “Green energy” coursing through the veins of our nation, failing to give us the stability that oil and gas have long provided. Puppets to the whims of foreign dictators.
On Sunday, we attended one of Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s final rallies. I watched as my dad was offered a glimpse of hope, as he was, at least for a moment, appreciated. As he got to chant “boots not suits” alongside like-minded tradesmen, the loudest voice belonging to the man that was supposed to be our hero. Our saviour.
Poilievre did not lose to Carney, he lost to the fear mongering tactics of the left. He has done his part, and we should be proud. Thankful. Canada voted for the present. All concern for the future and memory of the past has been forgotten.
Our state of economic damnation has not been the result of U.S. President Donald Trump’s unneighbourly behaviour, it has been carefully curated over the last decade. With the help of Mr. Carney no less.
Susannah Sinclair,
Fergus
‘Do our part’
Dear Editor:
RE: Measles cases in region climb to 30, April 24.
Living in a country as fortunate as Canada, with health care for everyone, comes with a number of responsibilities to ensure our system is not abused.
By having vaccinations as recommended by our health departments we protect ourselves, our neighbours and don’t burden the health system with costs that are so easily avoided.
Those individuals who ignore the guidance provided, should expect to be charged for their failure to protect themselves and others. Health care is not cheap and we must all do our part in staying healthy.
Keith McEwen,
Guelph
‘Anti-vaxxer insanity’
Dear Editor:
Recently I wrote an article for Historica about John G. FitzGerald. He was a doctor and bacteriologist from Wellington County who, in the early 20th century, was very much responsible for developing affordable Canadian antitoxins and vaccines to help fight infectious diseases such as diphtheria.
His work helped bring down the frighteningly high child mortality rate resulting from such illnesses. Thanks to the efforts of Dr. FitzGerald and people like him, medical science was able to give us weapons to fight epidemics of such deadly illnesses as diphtheria, smallpox, polio, typhoid fever and measles.
How distressing and downright infuriating it is to learn that a century later, measles is back with us – over a thousand cases in Ontario alone. There should not be a single case of measles in Canada or the U.S., because we have a safe, efficient vaccine that has been in use for generations.
Unfortunately, we also have an anti-vaccine cult that spreads false information that belongs in the same category as “the Earth is flat” and “Elvis is alive.” As a result, there are children who are not vaccinated and are therefore at risk.
To make matters worse, there are politicians who perpetuate that misinformation, irresponsibly weaponizing fear and ignorance in pursuit of political agendas.
In Canada, we had Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre pandering to the “Freedom Convoy.” In the U.S., Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is an outspoken anti-vaxxer and a proponent of so much utter nonsense, doctors and health experts all over the world are astounded that he is the Secretary of Health.
This man, who has no training whatsoever in medicine or health sciences, even told people they could cure measles with vitamin A. Consequently, two American children have died from measles and others are in hospital being treated for liver damage from vitamin A overdose.
The anti-vaxxer insanity ramped up because the COVID-19 pandemic hit during Donald Trump’s first term as U.S. president. He was too incompetent to deal with it and at the same time could not stand the idea of a pandemic blighting his glorious time in office.
Attacking vaccination and other measures necessary to inhibit the spread of the virus was a way of attacking “the left.” Hundreds of thousands of Americans died needlessly. The states with the greatest numbers of anti-vaxxers also had the highest percentages of COVID deaths, but Trump and company dismissed that as “fake news.”
Now that anti-vaxxer insanity is threatening Ontario children. Politicians who jump onto that bandwagon – or perhaps we should call it a hearse – are a disgrace and unfit to hold any public office.
Dr. FitzGerald would be disgusted.
Ed Butts,
Guelph