Ontario Premier Doug Ford makes an announcement at a gas station in Toronto on May 24.Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press
New Canadians
Re “Inside Operation Abraham’s daring effort to save Afghans from the Taliban” (Oct. 26): A remarkable story of dire need, extraordinary care and tireless, selfless, determined effort to save deserving lives halfway around our world and navigate their safety to Canada. Our troubled world today needs more Operation Abraham.
I have the privilege now of following one of these families, who arrived 14 months ago and is already giving back much to others.
Hally Siddons Ottawa
How much?
Re “Ottawa fires back at Alberta’s application for judicial review of carbon price” (Online, Oct. 30): Who needs a lobbying department if you’re an oil executive and Danielle Smith is Premier of Alberta?
There is $7-million in paid advertising from Ms. Smith to discredit the federal government’s proposed emissions cap on the oil and gas sector. Nice.
Never mind that emissions from oil sands increased 137 per cent from 2005 to 2022, according to a government report, while every other industrial sectors’ emissions in Canada have declined. And that oil and gas production now accounts for a whopping 31 per cent of Canada’s total greenhouse gas emissions.
What’s the oil companies’ plan? Or should I say Ms. Smith’s?
Alberta should get serious about real climate policy, instead of the popular and fun sport of bashing the federal government.
Jane Savage Hamilton
Spend it
Re “Are we supposed to pretend Doug Ford’s $200 ‘rebate’ isn’t a pre-election bribe?” (Opinion, Oct. 26): I’ve pre-emptively donated the $200 to another party. I encourage others to do the same.
Lin Mackrael Hamilton
I for one welcome any cash Doug Ford would like to give me.
I look forward to putting it to good use as a donation to the National Farmers Union to combat Highway 413, or maybe to Ontario Place for All. And then there’s always the provincial NDP.
So many options, it’ll be hard to choose. Thanks in advance to Mr. Ford.
Tuula Talvila Ottawa
Paved with …
Re “Like Doug Ford, Robert Moses was hell-bent on building more, better, wider roads” (Oct. 26): The Ontario government claims that commute times will be shortened with the building of Highway 413 and the Bradford Bypass. Fat chance. They might be shortened for a week.
“Build it and they will come.” Any cursory research into the effect of road-building on gridlock ends with the conclusion that creating more and wider roads only results in more users and more gridlock. Call it “induced demand.”
We’ve laughed at the Ford government’s recent boondoggles. However, this latest piece of legislation should be seen as another matter altogether.
It seems reflective of an autocratic ideology: keeping studies secret; allowing private contractors “sweeping powers” on private property; giving justices of the peace the power to authorize government’s taking of land, the levying of substantial fines for obstruction – all are dangerous precedents.
Will the voting public be able to recognize the danger and see past visions of a faster commute? I wonder.
Marianne Orr Brampton, Ont.
Toronto adopted Vision Zero in 2016. This involves a series of strategies and road-infrastructure changes to eliminate all traffic fatalities of pedestrians and cyclists, through evidence-based adaptations that are known to work.
It is well known that additional traffic lanes simply encourage more people to travel by car, resulting in zero improvement to traffic congestion. Despite this, the Ford government is pushing forward with tearing up bike lanes and building more highways.
These decisions are extremely costly to taxpayers. They may pander to voters in the short term, but would not ultimately improve anyone’s quality of life, drivers included.
Tragically, we’ll never achieve Vision Zero with a government that has zero vision.
Mary Lapner Ottawa
Another cycle
Re “Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow hopes for ‘dialogue’ with Doug Ford on bike lanes” (Oct. 28): Hats off to Doug Ford for reining in bike lanes – long overdue. I believe the mayor and city council, past and present, have been hijacked by a relatively small number of cyclists to build bike lanes throughout the city.
I have nothing against bike lanes if they are heavily used, but many I see are not. For bike lanes that are heavily used, get rid of the concrete barriers with ugly markers sticking up every which way. Paris, London, Vienna and many other cities have bike lanes, but not these ugly markers and barriers that are dangerous to pedestrians.
I find that bike lanes play a major role in clogging traffic and reducing city productivity. Also, a note to bike riders: Why do they feel they have a right to go through stop signs and red lights? Bicycles are vehicles and should be licensed and treated as such.
Anthony Fell Toronto
There is an assumption that cycling only appeals to a few “avid cyclists,” therefore why cater to this “elite” minority demanding precious road space?
Two-thirds of urban trips are under five kilometres, a reasonable distance for most people to cycle, especially if they have an electric bike. Any bike with a couple of panniers can easily handle a few groceries, a case of beer and a briefcase. Millions of people in other cities (Copenhagen, Amsterdam, London) ride through the winter.
The main reason more people don’t bike, including seniors like myself, is because they feel unsafe. With enough connected and protected bike lanes, many people for many of their trips would have a choice that is safe, affordable, convenient (never congested), healthy and fun.
More bike lanes can free up more space for cars, trucks and buses. Heavier use might even put an end to that odious expression “avid cyclist.”
Peter Ladner Vancouver
One of a kind
Re “What my dinner with Fidel Castro taught me about the most controversial world leader of his era” (Opinion, Oct. 19) and “Just a taste” (Letters, Oct. 26): During the 1970s and 1980s, Cuba was a major world sugar producer with Soviet financial support.
Much of the world sugar industry was invited to Havana in 1982 for an anniversary of Cubazucar, the industry company. As president of Redpath Sugar, my wife Eleanor and I attended.
On the night of the banquet, several of us were ushered to a special reception with Fidel Castro. It happened that Eleanor was at the washroom and we got separated.
There was quite a commotion and a bevy of security guards were dispatched to retrieve her. When she arrived, Mr. Castro assured her that they did not make a habit of losing their special guests, and she could rest assured she was in safe hands.
He then had a picture taken with her, the only one taken that night with him in it. A year later, we received a copy in the mail.
Murray McEwen CM; Erin, Ont.
Sunday service
Re “Hell no, we won’t go: What do we lose when we stop believing in eternal damnation?” (Opinion, Oct. 26): So heaven “used to be an elitist institution – you had to earn your way in.” But heaven never was that, except in jokes about Saint Peter at the Pearly Gates.
The New Testament teaches that a relationship with God in time and eternity is the result of God’s freely given mercy in Christ. “Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.” If any are “saved,” welcomed into a culminating banquet in the kingdom of God, it is by grace alone.
Recent Reformation Day services would have acknowledged the iconic witness of Martin Luther to justification before God by grace through faith. Works undertaken by believers are not to “get into heaven” but to express thanksgiving to God, the one who shows mercy to those oppressed by the thought that they are undeserving.
Peter Wyatt Magnetawan, Ont.
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