‘Traffic hazards’
Dear Editor:
With the unfortunate demise of speed cameras and with the province promising money for less effective means of traffic calming, I think it should be noted that speed bumps are not the answer.
Even if you are going the speed limit of 50 or 40km/h, hitting a speed bump results in an tooth jarring impact that is ridiculous and unacceptable. If you don’ t want to lose your fillings or your muffler, you have to drop your speed to well under the posted speed limit and slowly crawl over the speed bump.
Couple that with usually inadequate signage to warn of the approaching speed bump and you have a recipe for a trip to the dentist office or the automotive shop.
Having to crawl over the speed bump also disrupts the flow of law-abiding traffic and has the potential to cause accidents as cars that are obeying the speed limit are nevertheless required to suddenly brake for the speed bump.
If there was a traffic hazard on the road caused by a pothole or as a result of construction, there would be an understandable outcry and appropriate demands that the problem be repaired. We don’t want to start deliberately creating such traffic hazards in the form of speed bumps.
Dan Kennaley,
Rockwood
‘No better time’
Dear Editor:
The year 1940 was a pivotal one for Guelph. Amid the Second World War, local businesses and the community came together to support wartime efforts. It was also the year that a local man named Bill Hamilton (later MPP and Guelph mayor) started the Community Chest for War and Welfare Services to coordinate local charities through a single, annual campaign.
Over the past 85 years, the organization has been known by many names – Red Feather, United Community Funds and now, United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin (UWGWD). But the goal has remained the same – as a funder and collaborator, unite all parts of our community to improve lives and build community.
Hundreds of thousands of local lives have been changed because of the generosity of donors, the dedication of volunteers, the commitment of workplaces and the tireless work of agency partners.
Every year, millions of dollars are raised by our local community and invested in our local community to support important and life changing supports like food pantries, emergency shelter, mental health crisis lines, mentoring and after-school programs for youth, day programs for seniors – the list is long. Our community would look much different without the many programs funded by United Way there to support people each and every day. We are lucky to work and live in a community that continues to be recognized for its strong community spirit and generosity.
Today, our community continues to face challenges – some more complex and more urgent than ever before. We are surrounded by uncertainty, facing a rising cost of living and more frequent mental health struggles. Almost one in four households in Guelph Wellington face food insecurity. Agency partners are dealing with a demand for services they’ve not seen ever before.
After 85 years, United Way is ready for better. We are still here, working in partnership with those on the front lines of issues like poverty, homelessness, food insecurity and mental health, to ensure that the network of supports that our community has come to rely on continues to be there moving forward.
But what happens next depends on you. Our work and our investments are fueled by community donations. Small acts of kindness, even giving just a few dollars, can change a life. Don’t believe your contribution won’t matter or is too small. Pooled together, each contribution and action will make a difference. That’s the power of a United Way.
Better is possible and there’s no better time than now.
Glenna Banda,
Executive director, UWGWD
‘In very poor taste’
Dear Editor:
The Advertiser’s Nov. 27 cartoon of U.S. President Donald Trump, Russia President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in very poor taste.
Whether you agree or disagree, they are world leaders and deserve respect – especially Trump, he has stopped eight wars.
What has our prime minister done?
Robert Drexler,
Rockwood
*Editor’s note: Donald Trump has not stopped eight wars.
What about locals?
Dear Editor:
What is happening in Elora??
I am referring to the new street parking implementation coming up in Elora, next January.
I am writing because, as usual, Centre Wellington Township doesn’t seem to care much about local residents’ input.
For as much as the pay parking won’t affect me and my family, as residents in Elora (because luckily we will be exempt), the parking zones are definitely affecting our everyday life in Elora.
The designation of some streets to have parking time limitations is absolutely ridiculous. Why are residential streets crossing Metcalfe and Geddes Streets, where there are a handful of parking spots anyway, set up be part of the “red zone” with three hours maximum parking, even for local residents?
An example is Church Street West, which is a residential street and has four street parking spots. I have family members residing on this street whose house doesn’t have space to park and I usually park on the street, in one of those four parking spots. When I visit my family, am I supposed to be limited to three-hour parking in the new year? Whoever decided this, it would be interesting to know what they were thinking (if they had a thought at all).
All this in the name of having “tourism paying for tourism.” But what about respecting the local taxpayers?
And what happens if someone parks for longer time in those three-hour limit zones? Considering the comments heard from many tourists, who don’t seem to care to pay the $45 parking tickets because it costs as much in Toronto for day parking, it’ll be “interesting” to see how our township will deal with that.
Since township doesn’t seem to care about hearing input, here is mine: make sure the local residents are actually taken into consideration when making this type of decision!
Also, since people at the township seem to take inspiration from Toronto when making these plans, if they really want to have tourists not parking in some areas all day, they should increase the fine to make sure people will think twice about leaving their car longer than they should (or have the cars towed away)! Respectfully disappointed (again).
Denis Fontana,
Elora
‘Above and beyond’
Dear Editor:
I would like to offer a heartfelt thanks to Giant Tiger manager Pat Farrell and his team for their kindness and generosity to our residents.
Your store’s thoughtful initiative in creating gift bags for our residents, your kindness and community spirit have truly touched our residents.
The time and effort your team puts into these bags makes a significant impact and brightens our residents Christmas morning. Gestures like yours help make our community a better, warmer place to live.
We genuinely appreciate your commitment to serving the people around you and for going above and beyond .
Thank you once again for your unwavering support and generosity.
Barb Johnston,
Fergus
‘Fitting drink’
Dear Editor:
RE: No more ‘Kool-Aid,’ Nov. 27.
I trust all readers will agree that we as Canadian citizens vote for politicians that we trust will implement policies that reflect our values and ideals. What I don’t understand is the rationale that voters like Mr. McCraney employ when exercising their civic duty.
Is it really that admirable to vote for a politician “who has never changed the party platform or principles to gain another vote?” Wouldn’t a wiser choice be to actually vote for a politician whose platform does change over time to reflect more of the values of the electorate, and as a consequence gain more votes?
McCraney laments that “if an election was held … the Liberals probably will win because they blame Trump and sell fear.” Wouldn’t it be more logical to think that the Liberals would win because they reflect what the majority of Canadians value and believe at this point in time?
Instead of voting “for the Conservative Party in every election since the 1970s,” is it really a smart vote to now tie one’s horse to a politician who has lost an election, lost his seat in his home riding, and now faces losing the leadership of his party? McCraney should reflect on who is actually drinking the Kool-Aid.
Finally, as for crossing the floor, incredulously McCraney would want to immediately restrict the democratic rights of any politician simply for representing what they believe are the values and ideals of their riding’s electorate.
The taste of Kool-Aid is the same today as it was yesterday and as it will be tomorrow; such a fitting drink for the Conservative mind.
David Fast,
Ariss
‘Not his fault’
Dear Editor:
Thomas King is a great writer. I have read every one of his books and have loved all of them. I do not care about his ancestry. He obviously identifies with the Native people because he loves them and writes about them with wonderful insight.
Since it was not his fault that he believed for his entire life that he was Indigenous and spent his time writing amazing literature for us all to enjoy let us be happy with that truth.
I am positive that every who is alive today has not, once they reach puberty, dug into their history to find out if what their parents told them about their heritage was true and I really don’t understand why the so-called intelligentsia is wringing their collective hands about it.
Get over it, leave the poor man alone and read one of his books. I am proud and pleased that we have such a talented writer living and working (and walking) in our area.
Christy Doraty,
Fergus
Sextortion ‘crisis’
Dear Editor:
Defend Dignity, a national organization advocating for an end to sexual exploitation in Canada, has long warned about the rise of sextortion and online grooming. Marketplace’s recent investigation confirms the urgency of these warnings, exposing how predators exploit shame and secrecy to manipulate young people.
When a Canadian teen receives a message demanding intimate photos, it’s not just a moment of fear – it’s a calculated attack on their privacy, trust and sense of self. Sextortion is increasingly prevalent in today’s digital age. Simply put, it is blackmail: someone online threatens to share sexual images or videos unless teens pay money or provide more content.
According to the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, reports of online sexual exploitation, including sextortion, have risen by over 150% since 2021. Cybertip.ca has seen a dramatic increase in financial sextortion cases targeting teenage boys, receiving more than 5,000 reports between December 2021 and May 2023 – a 300% year-over-year rise. Teens are being groomed on social media, gaming networks and messaging apps, coerced into sharing images, and threatened with exposure, often leaving them feeling helpless, ashamed and afraid to seek help.
Our laws, technology safeguards, and educational systems are struggling to keep pace with evolving digital threats. Predators exploit the very platforms meant to connect youth, taking advantage of trusted social media networks to entrap them.
Preventing sextortion requires action on several fronts. Teens need guidance on online safety, consent and privacy, along with reassurance that being targeted is never their fault. Parents need the knowledge to support their children. Platforms must detect grooming and sextortion early, make reporting easy and implement proactive age-verification tools. Accessible, non-judgmental support services for victims, and coordinated law enforcement responses are essential.
Bill S-209, led by Senator Julie Miville-Dechêne, would require websites hosting sexually explicit material to verify users’ ages – a step toward preventing children’s exposure to pornography and reducing opportunities for exploitation. Bill C-216, introduced by MP Michelle Rempel Garner, would protect minors by restricting how companies collect and use their personal data, and by requiring safer design standards for online platforms.
Meanwhile, Bill S-212, the National Strategy for Children and Youth Act, proposes a coordinated federal framework to address issues like digital safety, child development and online wellbeing. Together, they reflect growing recognition that online safety must be treated as a public health issue, not just a matter of criminal enforcement.
Canada has the opportunity to lead globally by treating online exploitation not just as a criminal issue, but as a preventable public health crisis. By raising awareness, fostering open communication, and building systemic safeguards, we can protect our children from shame, exploitation, and abuse, giving them the tools to thrive safely in a digital world.
Holly Wood,
Research/advocacy coordinator, Defend Dignity
Foot care nurses
Dear Editor:
RE: Clipped, Nov. 20.
Kelly, have you considered seeing a foot care nurse until you can get back to see your favourite pedicurist?
Some people see a foot care nurse only occasionally – for example, for an ingrown nail or a painful corn – while others rely on regular treatments such as callus care, wound debridement, or nail trimming. Many enjoy pedicures throughout the summer and then visit a foot care nurse during the winter months while taking a break from polish.
Best of all, most employee benefit plans cover the cost, or you can submit it as a medical expense at tax time! So if you need (or simply want) help caring for your feet, consider booking an appointment with a foot care nurse.
Amelia Martin,
Fergus