Mail bag: 10/15/26
‘So-called issue’
Dear Editor:
RE: Not going away, Oct. 8.
Your editorial last week regarding Centre Wellington mayoral candidate Bronwynne Wilton claimed that it “isn’t about personalities or ethics.” You then proceeded to contradict that claim.
Throughout the article you note that Wilton “always acted with integrity and demonstrated the highest of ethics by declaring a conflict.” Likewise, you stated that her partner, Pierre Chauvin of the planning firm MHBC “has operated professionally and ethically beyond reproach.” Such ringing endorsements would suggest that one could expect such standards to continue.
However, the contradiction comes when you then suggest that Wilton would have “an inability to address all issues.” Really? You state that the mayor is the “primary conduit for expressing township interests at the County of Wellington.” The mayor is not the only conduit.
Council should be able to adapt so that representation is ensured without breaking any laws. Past practices should not dictate current and future evolution. All elected candidates have their vote, as does the mayor. I’m confident the council would educate themselves on all issues and represent the township accordingly.
Your “what if” scenarios also includes a rather unnecessary comment about “benefiting financially from work done by the firm.” It’s a straightforward and transparent business situation, not some shady deal.
I wonder if Chauvin was running for mayor and Wilton was with MHBC, would this so-called issue even be raised so close to the election?
Bill Zinck,
Elora
‘Disheartened’
Dear Editor:
As a retired teacher, I was confounded when the Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB) closed the Terry James Resource Center.
I was more disheartened to learn from former colleagues the consequences of the 2026-27 budget, which declared the board’s vision was “To be recognized as leaders in creating unparalleled, agile, and inclusive learning experiences for all,” and its plan was to “champion health and wellbeing,” and “ensure equity of access and outcomes.”
The board’s announcement that the budget was “focused on student success” is ironic given it decimated its budget for student success programming. The Student Success Initiative, introduced in 2003-04, was mandated to reduce dropout rates and support struggling students through such offerings as credit recovery, alternative education and re-engagement programs.
Due to cutbacks, the re-engagement programming in Guelph was eliminated. No equivalent Guelph-based alternative was provided; students wishing to access the program would have to travel to Orangeville. The Student Success Initiative has also involved removing barriers that prevent vulnerable students from attending school; however, cutbacks mean schools can no longer provide the same level of assistance with transportation, food and other immediate needs.
School-provided transit support has been reduced or eliminated. Food vouchers are reportedly no longer redeemable, leaving students without the same immediate support. Reduction in support disproportionately affects vulnerable students already at risk of disengaging, thus raising the question of how the board is ensuring equity and access to outcomes for all.
Historically, high school libraries were open every period, during which students could sign out chromebooks. Alas, the library may not be open every period, and because the board is no longer repairing or replacing chromebooks, they may not be functional. Furthermore, students will no longer have access to the same quality of research materials, or to recently purchased materials.
Finally, there is the small matter of the “champion[ing] of health and well being.” With custodial cutbacks, the schools are harder to keep clean, particularly the washrooms, where students express discomfort in going.
Cutbacks in the areas of Student Services, Child and Youth Care, and Guidance are taking a toll on staff who are stretched thin, and on the vulnerable students in need of support. As one colleague noted: “We are watching our ability to support students decrease in real time, and it’s leading to burnout and a sense of hopelessness.”
Students and staff deserve to feel hopeful about the year ahead; the board needs to work much more effectively towards fostering such hope.
Robin Todd,
Guelph
‘Helpful’ section
Dear Editor:
I just wanted to extend my sincere thank you and appreciation to all who produced the very informative section about the upcoming election in last week’s paper.
I can’t imagine how much work went into collecting so much clear and helpful information from candidates across the entire county.
Congratulations!
Toni Ellis,
Elora
‘Stand on guard’
Dear Editor:
It is past time for Canada to close border doors to immigration. The European Union (EU) is having massive difficulty with “fighting age men” arriving on their shores illegally. France has fires burning and a large number of male immigrants are headed for England.
Yet, still Prime Minister Mark Carney has not closed our borders and is still planning to bring more immigrants to Canada. This is not immigration. This is foolishness! Young, “fighting age men” have no right to come to borders demanding nations take them in. This is domination not immigration.
The EU is mismanaging immigration, except for Poland, which said “no” and crime is down in their nation. Canadians of all parties – Liberal, Conservatives, Green, NDP, CHP, Parti Quebecois – and our premiers must stand together and send a clear message to Carney: we want our borders closed now and to have a military presence to ensure the borders are closed to immigration.
We need to get Canada’s economy “back on its feet” and housing, healthcare, food security and job losses addressed, and strengthen our military at the same time. Together Canadians, with one united voice, let’s stop destructive immigration now. Canadians, email your MP and MPP and lets “join hands” to fix Canada first!
Canada has already taken in huge immigration numbers and Canadians are hurting. It’s time to stop. Carney must listen to Canadians, the voters. Stop immigration and defend our borders with military presence.
Further, negotiate with other reliable democracies, etc., but also send negotiators working tirelessly to get a trade deal with the U.S., which you promised to do in 2025 when you were voted in to do this job. We need results, not staged advertisements.
Citizenship is a privilege, not a right and we have procedures and standards. Carney, enforce our standards. Stand on guard please. That is your job.
Carolann Krusky,
Fergus
‘Hardworking’ club
Dear Editor:
We would like to thank the Fergus-Elora Rotary Club for their grant that helped cover two projects:
– the three-part Read a Tree workshop held this summer. About 25 people took part, learning about tree identification, tree defects and some of the challenges that our trees face; and
– Food Forest Centre Wellington can now add to their plant list, tackle problems with pests and diseases, build a composter and increase our public profile. These measures will all further help the public with our free produce.
We are grateful to this hardworking service club in our community for their support!
Kate Anderson and Toni Ellis,
Elora
‘Threat to our privacy’
Dear Editor:
I’ve been very concerned to learn about the government’s surveillance bill, Bill C-22, the Lawful Access Act. I believe, like many organizations that have spoken against it, that it is one of the greatest threats to our privacy in the last two decades. Bill C-22 threatens our Charter rights by:
– granting police easier access to our personal information;
– forcing companies to create backdoors to allow police and spy agencies to scoop up our personal data and communications, making online protections like encryption meaningless;
– allowing the government to order companies to hold on to our personal information for up to a year, creating a treasure trove of data to be targeted by hackers;
– risking more of our information being shared with U.S. intelligence and law enforcement agencies; and
– increasing the powers and reach of Canadian police and intelligence agencies, who have a long history of spying on and undermining activists, organizers and marginalized communities.
On top of all this, the government has rushed another dangerous bill through the House of Commons; one that risks our privacy as well as our security online.
Several MPs, cybersecurity experts, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Apple, Meta, Signal, NordVPN and even U.S. Congressional leaders have warned against this bill. It’s time for the government to listen and protect the rights of people in Canada. And if it doesn’t, the Senate must act!
Joseph Lavoie,
Waterloo
‘Pretty ironic’
Dear Editor:
It’s pretty ironic that two weeks after the winner for Erin’s best tree was announced, across the street hundreds of mature trees are ripped out of the ground (for the County of Wellington Erin Garage) with no warning, opening up a can of worms for everyone to see and hear.
Paul Rolfe,
Erin
‘Proper debate’ needed
Dear Editor:
A little more than a year ago, my wife-to-be and I began our search for where we wished to settle down, build a life for ourselves and raise a family. One day, on a whim, our search brought us to Fergus. We walked the town and talked to as many people as we could. We ended up buying our first home that same day. In fewer words, I have loved you from the moment I first laid eyes on you. This is my home.
Now, I, alongside you, stand at a critical juncture for the future of our homes. Centre Wellington’s population is projected to increase by roughly 71 per cent between 2021 and 2051, with increases of approximately 81% in Elora/Salem and 90% in Fergus.
At this fork in the road, we also find ourselves in another election cycle. The people we choose to navigate the issues we face in these coming years will lay the foundation for this future and define who we are. We must be sure that the candidates have the best interests of our homes and families in their hearts and minds.
In Elora and Fergus, I watched the candidates for the office of mayor speak highly of themselves and extoll the virtues of democracy, and yet fundamental to any democracy is debate. I have yet to see the candidates publicly challenge one another on their platforms, their records, their conflicts of interest, their political ambitions beyond mayor or their relationships with provincial political parties.
Once, long ago upon a hilltop in Athens, the birthplace of democracy, when the Assembly was called, the herald would open the session with the words: “Who wishes to speak?”
From the Assembly of ancient Athens onward, the foundational idea of democratic government itself has been that public decisions should be preceded by public argument. Democracy is more than the right to cast a ballot. It is the right and the duty of the public to seek out and hear competing arguments, to question them, and to judge best between them. It is well past time that the candidates answer to our community and are challenged by each other in a proper public debate with fair moderation.
This is our duty to one another, so that we, the public, can decide who amongst us should lead during this time. So now I ask the candidates, who wishes to speak?
Nicolas Menzies,
Fergus
‘Tremendous’ turnout
Dear Editor:
More than 300 community-focused residents attended the Mapleton Chamber of Commerce’s Meet the Candidates event at the Drayton Festival Theatre on Wednesday evening, demonstrating strong interest in the future direction of the Township of Mapleton.
The Chamber is encouraged not only by the tremendous community turnout, but also by the number of candidates who have stepped forward to serve.
Mapleton is fortunate to have so many individuals who care deeply about our municipality and are willing to put their names forward for public office.
Throughout the evening, candidates had the opportunity to introduce themselves and respond to numerous questions submitted by members of the community.
Discussion covered a broad range of municipal priorities, including fiscal responsibility and township spending, water and wastewater costs, infrastructure, growth and housing, support for local business, community engagement, shared municipal services, transparency, accountability and municipal leadership.
The tone of the evening was equally encouraging. Candidates were respectful of one another and focused on their own ideas, priorities and vision for Mapleton.
The result was an informative and positive evening that allowed residents to hear directly from those seeking to represent them.
The Mapleton Chamber of Commerce would like to thank Drayton Entertainment for its generous support of this important community event.
We are also grateful to the student volunteers from Norwell District Secondary School, whose assistance with timing and event logistics helped keep a very full evening running smoothly.
With more than 300 people in attendance and so many thoughtful questions submitted by residents, the Chamber came away from the evening feeling incredibly encouraged.
We have an amazing community.
The participation we saw Wednesday night made it clear that Mapleton residents are engaged, interested and invested in the decisions that will shape our municipality over the next four years.
Electronic voting by internet or telephone began at 7am on Oct. 10 and remains open until 8pm on Oct. 26.
The Chamber encourages every eligible voter to learn about the candidates, consider the issues and make their voice heard.
Exercise your right to vote.
The Chamber’s next event will provide an opportunity to continue the conversation following the election.
The fourth annual Mayor’s Breakfast is set for Nov. 25 at 7:30 at the Maryborough Community Centre.
The Mapleton Chamber is already working on what businesses and individuals want to hear from our newly elected council and municipal administration, as well as our Wellington County representative.
Watch the Mapleton Chamber of Commerce social media pages for event details and registration information. Registration will be required.
Mapleton Chamber of Commerce