Mail bag: 03/19/26

‘Disgusting’ move

Dear Editor:

The proposed  changes to the Freedom of Information Act to exclude cabinet and premier’s records is disgusting. 

What are you trying to hide and/or block? The premier rails against Donald Trump but he acts like him at times in his dogmatic ways.

Pass this change and I, and hopefully many other longtime Conservatives, will  not support or vote for you in future elections.

Craig Sullivan, 
Fergus

‘Discourages’ students

Dear Editor:

The Ford government has reduced  Ontario Student Assistance Program grants to prospective students of universities and colleges to 25% of tuition, with student loan covering the rest.

This effectively discourages some brilliant young people unwilling to spend years into a new career carrying massive debt.

Hard hit post secondary schools are now able to increase tuition by 2% for the next three years. They are canceling some courses and have been laying off staff due to the lack of high-paying foreign student allocations.

I have to ask: how will the miraculous AI-generated version of Ford’s Ontario come to pass with fewer bright minds such as engineers, researchers, architects, surveyors, educators and planners?

Before we set Doug Ford on a hero’s pedestal, let’s check whether his feet are made of clay.

Arlene Callaghan,
Fergus

‘Bombarded’ by ads

Dear Editor:

Lately we are seeing TV commercials and half- and full-page newspaper advertisements entitled “Protect Ontario” (for instance: pages 8 and 40 in the Advertiser last week). 

I don’t get it. 

Usually we are bombarded with these kinds of commercials by the sitting government just before and during an election. So what is the purpose in spending millions of dollars on these?

Heaven knows that the money could be spent on more important things.

Don Senek,
Minto

‘Morally reprehensible’

Dear Editor:

I am very disappointed in your decision to allow such a hate-filled and untruthful cartoon in the March 12 issue depicting the president of the U.S. as a dictator and comparing him to the Iranian leader (a true dictator).

This very offensive cartoon should be considered “hate speech” and the cartoonist should be banned for life from submitting any other cartoons to the Wellington Advertiser.

Comparing a duly elected American president with a Iranian dictator (who has murdered tens of thousands of Iranians and  has continually called for the death of America, the elimination of the state of Israel, and has sponsored terrorism around the world) is morally reprehensible and shocking.

I am asking you to issue an apology to your readers for this very offensive and hate-filled cartoon.

Murray Stevenson,
Guelph

‘Children not numbers’

Dear Editor:

I am writing as a concerned parent regarding a situation affecting childcare in our community.

Families at the St. Patrick Early Learning Center (SPELC) daycare in Guelph were informed on March 11, that the Eramosa Learning Academy (ELA) will stop operating the daycare as of Aug. 31. 

According to the letter sent to families, the decision was influenced in part by a requirement from the County of Wellington that all 64 licensed childcare spaces be filled by March 15 in order to maintain uninterrupted Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) funding. It is worth noting that SPELC is a new daycare facility that first opened in late December 2024 to infants, toddlers and preschoolers. 

From what was communicated to families, the daycare was working towards filling the licensed childcare spaces, but has faced issues with staffing (as many daycares have in recent years due to funding and systemic challenges), preventing them from rapidly increasing the number of children enrolled. Further SPELC was also intentionally pacing new enrolments to ensure children (many of whom are very young and spending their first days away from their primary caregivers) could transition into daycare with the attention and support they need. 

The county’s decision to withdraw funding is very surprising and quite frankly disappointing. There is a significant demand for childcare in our community, and this action directly contradicts the needs of local families. 

While the county’s goal of maximizing access to funded childcare spaces is understandable, access must be balanced with the realities of operating quality programs. 

Currently, it remains unclear whether the daycare will continue operating, leaving enrolled families uncertain about their continued access to childcare in a community where securing a spot is already extremely difficult. Additionally, with the withdrawal of funding, it is unknown how much childcare costs may increase for enrolled families, creating further concern for families who rely on services or cannot afford private alternatives. 

While the county has stated it does not expect any disruptions in care, the current decision has already created instability for both families and educators at SPELC. 

On a personal note, my son started daycare at SPELC just three days before receiving this unexpected news. Starting daycare is already a big adjustment for a young child and their family, and we had hoped he would have the stability to gradually build bonds with the staff and settle into the environment. Instead, we begin an already stressful process feeling uncertain of what the future holds. 

Decisions that destabilize childcare programs have real consequences for the children, families, and educators who depend on them. 

I respectfully ask that the county consider how policies focused primarily on enrollment targets may unintentionally create instability for both families and childcare providers, and how future decisions can better balance access with the stability and quality that young children require. 

Our children are not numbers. 

Mary Ritchie,
Rockwood

Retirement wishes

Dear Editor:

One of the things that happens when you get older is special people that you depend on retire. 

A few years back I remember meeting my mechanic early one morning after I dropped my car off at the garage. It was still dark and he was wearing a black toque and dark clothes. He looked like a cat burglar. I was on my way to my daughter’s place so I could wait there while Jim fixed the car. 

I asked him where he was going so early and he said: “I just dropped your daughter’s car off. I wanted to make sure she wouldn’t be late for work.” That was Jim. Happy retirement, Bev and Jim. We miss you.

I came into my doctor’s office one day and was surprised to find that all three of my daughters had arrived at the same time! They were all pregnant! A few minutes later my doctor came out and looked around and said “All the girls are here today.” I thought that it was nice that he included me as a “girl.” It was always cheerful for a doctor’s office. Happy retirement, Dr. Tom and Monica. We miss you.

I was also sad to learn that Bonnie, who does my taxes, retired as well. She was always cheerful and friendly and sorted everything out for me, a person who has always been baffled by numbers.

She assured us that the new people taking over her office were just as reliable as she was. Happy retirement, Bonnie and Chris.

Christy Doraty,
Fergus