Mail bag: 05/21/26
‘Not helpful’
Dear Editor:
RE: ‘Nature hates a vacuum,’ May 14.
Wayne Baker suggests that the Ford government eliminate at least 90% of all Sunshine List positions.
The list was implemented in 1996, and the $100,000 then is equivalent to $200,000 today. Therefore, the entries on the list should be eliminated by raising the threshold to at least $200,000, and preferably $250,000.
Further inflation-based indexing should be applied every year.
Suggesting the firing of tens of thousands of people simply because they make a decent wage is not helpful.
And to be clear I have never been on the list – and won’t be as I am retired.
Dushan Divjak,
Elora
‘Stand together’
Dear Editor:
Many things come to mind when I think about Ontario’s current government; most of them leave me feeling frustrated and deeply concerned about the direction our province is heading.
I say, enough! What makes you want to stand up and say enough is enough?
The Greenbelt scandal?
The gutting of environmental protections and the Endangered Species Act?
The cancellation of renewable energy projects and electric vehicle incentives while climate concerns grow more urgent?
Billions spent on projects and government luxuries (private jets) while health care and education face cuts?
The erosion of transparency through changes to Freedom of Information laws?
Policies that undermine local democracy and weaken the voices of communities?
A government that too often appears to prioritize corporate interests over the people it was elected to serve?
And the list goes on.
Whether it is grocery affordability, health care wait times, cuts to OSAP, Ontario Place redevelopment or the growing feeling that everyday Ontarians are no longer being heard, many of us are tired of watching decisions be made for us instead of with us.
That is why I urge members of our community to come together outside our local MPP’s office at 10am on May 30 to peacefully say what our government is allowing is not okay.
Ontarians need to hold their MPPs accountable. We need to hold our premier accountable. Because when we know something is wrong and remain silent, we allow it to continue. Complacency is never the answer.
Stand up and stand together, for your children, your grandchildren, your neighbours and yourselves.
Kristen Reilly,
Fergus
Foundation event
Dear Editor:
One thing that history has taught us is that however slowly or quickly its pace, change comes to all communities. In a world of ever-rising housing costs, fuel and food prices and growing community needs, the Centre Wellington Community Foundation (CWCF) works towards addressing some of the challenges that change can bring.
Since its beginning as a registered charity in 2009, the Foundation has granted over $1.2 million to organizations that work within our communities to alleviate hardship and improve lives in the Elora and Fergus areas through to Wellington North. Grants have supported projects in areas such as arts and culture, recreation, health and wellness, environmental stewardship, education, and programs that address emerging community needs such as housing and food insecurity.
Our population is growing and every organization in our community is responding to new pressures. In response, the CWCF is working hard to grow its assets in order to strengthen its funding to community groups.
On June 2, the Centre Wellington Community Foundation will celebrate the organizations that are making a difference to so many. Join the CWCF at our Annual Public Meeting where the theme will be Bringing Change-Makers Together. Held at the GrandWay from 6:30 to 8:30pm, the event will feature refreshments and door prizes and the chance to hear how these wonderful groups are working to bring tangible change to our communities, making life better and brighter in Centre and North Wellington.
Kathryn Stokes, director of community engagement and housing partnerships, will speak about the impactful work that Habitat for Humanity is undertaking in our community. Sheila Koop, former board chair of the Elora Centre for the Arts, will speak about the centre’s recent successful campaign.
And with a focus on obstetrics and a passion for palliative care, local family physician Dr. Sarah Gower has been a key driver in establishing the Aboyne Rural Hospice. As co-chair of the hospice board, she will speak to the changes that the future will bring. Come hear how these and other local organizations are making positive changes in our community.
You’ll also have the opportunity to learn first-hand the impact of the foundation’s grants and funding. RSVP by May 26 to info@cwcfoundation.ca.
Judy Foster,
Executive director, Centre Wellington Community Foundation
‘Should be proud’
Dear Editor:
A big thank you to two boys from Elora who rode their bicycles on the hottest day of the weekend to return a dropped photo ID – a return trip of eight-plus kilometres.
They had a sense of wonder to recognize something out of the ordinary, pick it up and conclude that it could be used in the wrong way. All they wanted was water for their ride back home.
Their parents and community should be proud of them.
Ralph Bertram,
Elora
‘Compounded errors’
Dear Editor:
For the last several years I have been researching downtown Fergus. Today I thought perhaps the internet might be of assistance. This is what I learned via artificial intelligence (AI) about 212 St. Andrew W., The Red Door.
The site is currently the Dominion Hotel. The Dominion Hotel is also at 968 St. David St. North. At one time it was built and owned by George Thompson, a building contractor.
The building was used to store marble and constructed by the marble dealer.
None of the above is true according to actual records. When challenged, the AI search result admitted that it “imagined” the foregoing, including the details. It did provide a picture of the Dominion Hotel in Minden. The site repeatedly called itself “I” which it is not. If it must (which was never necessary), it should call itself “AI” or “ai,” which it is. The inaccuracy compounded its errors as it went along.
Chris Woode,
Fergus
‘Building and keeping’
Dear Editor:
On behalf of everyone at the Blue Door Community, our thanks to the Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce for recognizing our stewardship of the 2025 Tree of the Year at last week’s awards banquet.
Being in a room full of fellow builders (entrepreneurs, employers and community groups) reminded me that thriving communities are not just reflected in what we build. They are also defined by what we choose to keep.
Our Manitoba maple almost didn’t survive 2022 construction. The easy solution would have been removal. The better path required creativity, collaboration and a willingness to ask: “How do we upgrade the street and preserve this tree?” The curved sidewalk outside our home exists because our family and the township had the courage to hold both at the same time.
The good folks at Tree Trust help our community see what many business owners already know: sustainability does not limit growth. Organizations that thrive long-term understand they are part of a larger ecosystem, and when they invest in things that sustain a community (like trees), they are investing in what allows everyone to succeed.
This award, celebrating the tree that sits in our front yard, belongs to everyone in Centre Wellington. It is a reminder that building and keeping are not opposing forces. They are equally important to a resilient community.
Thank you to Tree Trust for creating this award and to the chamber for making space to honour what our community builds and keeps.
Curt Hammond,
The Blue Door Community, Elora
‘Even more spending’
Dear Editor:
I could be wrong but my understanding of a sovereign wealth fund is the government running a surplus budget and taking the extra money not to create more public services, jobs or departments but investing in safe, profitable, good-return investments and have that money available in case of an emergency shortfall instead of running deficits.
The one created by the federal government is not that in any way. The government currently has less money coming in and continues to not only not hold the line on expenses, but add even more spending.
On top of that the government is going to add yet another $25 billion, leading to more debt. I can’t grasp why even a Liberal voter would see this as sound management.
Doak McCraney,
Guelph