Mailbag 12/14/23

‘Sad to see’

Dear Editor:

It is sad to see that we have Liberal politicians, like the Liberal MP in Guelph, who would stand in the House of Commons and vote against removing the carbon tax for farmers, etc. I do not believe the majority of my hometown of Guelph would support carbon tax for farmers and families.  

Therefore, we have politicians who are voting the party line instead of representing the people who voted them into the position they are in. This is a sad statement for Canada.   

People need to step up and let their Liberal and NDP member of parliament know, you are not happy with how they are representing you. Why are the unions letting the NDP walk all over them? The NDP used to represent the people. Now, the NDP represents the personal goals of leader Jagmeet Singh and the prime minister, not the people.

The job of your MP is to take your voice to parliament and many representatives are not doing this or the carbon tax would be removed for farmers and for families, etc.  Your MP is not doing their job if they won’t stand for you on these issues.

The NDP did not have the right to make an agreement with the Liberals and exclude the people that voted them into the positions. It is time that people stood up for democracy in the ridings which Liberals and NDP are walking all over and let your Liberal or NDP MPs or party leaders  know you want the carbon tax removed and let your voice be heard.

I deeply care about the environment and I am absolutely sure that if we return to valuing a just nation and pray to God above all for change of leadership, we can return Canada to the country we grew up in, one where politicians valued the voice of Canadians and did what was right for the people, showed mercy and walked humbly as servants of Canadians because this is their job.   

There is a higher power over our nation and when we forget this, we get leadership that makes us groan.  That is what is happening today.  Please, God, keep our land glorious and free. Take time to send an email to the NDP leader and prime minister and to your MP if they are Liberal, NDP, Green or Bloc. 

Thank you, Wellington-Halton Hills MP Michael Chong for voting to remove the carbon tax to help Canadian farmers and families, etc.

Carolann Krusky,
Fergus 

*Editor’s note: The NDP did in fact have “the right” to sign a confidence-and-supply agreement with the Liberals. Such agreements are permitted under Canada’s parliamentary system.

‘Valuable’ service

Dear Editor:

I was visiting relatives just outside of Rockwood on the weekend. I saw your paper on the coffee table and was intrigued. I immediately flipped to the letters to editor – wow, what an uplifting read!

The citizen readers are informed, interested in the world and thoughtful, mature and reasoned critical thinkers.

The journalism was solid and relevant.

The classifieds were full and no doubt extremely useful.

I commend you on the valuable community service you are doing. 

David Marcoux,
Scarborough

‘Forever grateful’

Dear Editor:

When it comes to community, Fergus has so much to offer. The great joy that we all bring to each other, especially in times of need, is what makes this town special. There is a real sense of feeling like we all matter despite our circumstances! 

I’d like to share a personal experience that really brightened the lives, and Christmas, of the residents at the Caressant Care retirement home. The wonderful and thoughtful staff always go out of their way to add an extra special touch, particularly during the holidays. 

For many years they had been filling stockings for each person who resides there, out of pocket. With the rising and exorbitant costs of living this has been near impossible for this year. 

When the manager of Giant Tiger, Pat Farrell, was reached out to there was no hesitation in gathering up some items as a donation. This gesture of kindness, generosity and an overwhelming sense of community coming together was so much more than a few packets of candies or chocolates. 

He and his caring staff personalized gift bags that included handwritten Christmas wishes to each resident. To say they went above and beyond is an understatement. The residents and staff will be forever grateful for making this season a little bit brighter.

I cannot express enough gratitude for the ways in which this store supports our community as this is only one example. One example that may be small to some, but means the whole world to the ones who it touched. Signed with pride and appreciation…

Barb Johnston,
Fergus

‘Christmas miracle’

Dear Editor:

This past Friday, my wife and I visited Landman Gardens and Bakery outside of Grand Valley as it was a beautiful sunny day for a drive and we love to support small businesses. 

After we left the farm we stopped in the town of Grand Valley and went into the grocery store where we bought some local honey. 

My wife commented that this town had a lovely feel to it and reminded her of the small town in northwestern Ontario that she had grown up in.  

We drove to Gerrie’s Farm Market in Elora to continue shopping when I realized I had lost my wallet. 

I called the grocery store in Grand Valley to see if it had been found and the staff person told me no but she still went outside to retrace my steps and there was no sign of it.

My wife and I drove back to Grand Valley and looked around the street ourselves and did not find it so we drove back to our home in Fergus and we had two voicemails on our answering machine.

One message was from my neighbour, who said “I just saw your name on a community bulletin board on Facebook and your wallet has been handed in by a person to the Grand River Chop House Restaurant in Grand Valley.”

I called the restaurant immediately and they said they called the OPP and that they now had my wallet. The second message was from the OPP saying they had my wallet at the Orangeville detachment.

This was truly a Christmas miracle and I believe that the circumstances around my wallet are  beautiful. 

I would first like to thank the kind person who picked up my wallet and then gave it to the restaurant staff because you are angel. I also want to thank the staff at the Grand River Chop House for posting it on social media so my neighbour could call me and remind me that we all have to look after each other.

Thank you to the OPP constable who came by and retrieved my wallet. 

Thank you to the staff at the Grand Valley Clover Farms for going outside and trying to find my wallet for me. 

And thank you to the community of Grand Valley and the honest people in this small town.

Paraic Donoghue,
Fergus

Meaning of Christmas

Dear Editor:

As we come to this Christmas season, may we reflect on what Christmas is really about. 

Christmas is about Jesus’ birth. Why was He born? Why did He die? If it wasn’t for the baby in the manger, we wouldn’t celebrate Christmas. 

He also died on the cross. The best-selling book in the world relates the plain truth. 

It has nothing to do with religion. It can be a life-changing experience. 

We must count our blessings, be thankful for family and friends. take time to care about others. 

Put Christ in Christmas, enjoy the season. 

Marilyn Fowler,
Guelph