Police argue with Pro-Palestinian protesters as they gather along the route of the United Jewish Appeal’s annual Walk With Israel march in Toronto, on June 9.Arlyn McAdorey/The Canadian Press
Talk about …
Re “Free speech is not a numbers game” (Editorial, Aug. 9): The Toronto Police Service is dedicated to upholding the Charter rights of all citizens, but these rights must be balanced with the need for public safety.
During the recent protest at Yonge and Dundas, we found that New Brunswick MLA Dominic Cardy went beyond expressing his views; he deliberately confronted protestors, escalating an already tense situation. This wasn’t about silencing his speech but preventing a potentially volatile scenario from worsening.
Our officers, trained to de-escalate such situations, determined that Mr. Cardy’s actions posed a risk to everyone present. Despite being given multiple opportunities to comply with directions designed to keep the peace, he chose not to, necessitating further action.
The decision to arrest Mr. Cardy was made with careful consideration, prioritizing the safety of all involved. We remain committed to protecting civil liberties while ensuring public safety, and we stand by our officers’ judgment.
Lauren Pogue, Deputy Chief, Toronto Police Service
Your editorial clearly states that pro-Palestinian protesters were breaking the law, as they did not have a permit, but the police “rightly” allowed them to protest.
What part of this is okay? The police should have been dispersing that crowd.
Free speech should be no excuse to break the law. It should be enforced by police, just as they enforced it on Dominic Cardy.
A clear example to me of two-tier policing in Canada.
Lorne Goldenberg Ottawa
Lose, lose
Re “The dark side of investor-driven housing” (Real Estate, Aug. 9): Congratulations on an article that deals exclusively with the downfalls of investor-driven housing for both potential first-time homeowners, shut out of homeownership, and eventually investors themselves when prices and sales stall and fall.
The whole area screams for government regulation, which might have prevented housing shortages and unaffordability in Toronto and Vancouver. As one urban planner says, “There are buyers who are going for seconds and thirds while others don’t even have a plate.”
Tom Suhadolc Grimsby, Ont.
Bad bet
Re “ ‘Responsible gambling’ policies normalize risky behaviour and blame the victims” (Aug. 12): The irony of encouraging sports gambling, but then trying to appear socially responsible by promoting “responsible gambling,” always felt like a ridiculous proposition.
It doesn’t take a genius to see that such policies are not likely to work out well in the long term. Perhaps the goal is to make short-term profit until governments are forced to ban gambling advertising. But make no mistake, athletes (who are already rich) and sports media companies all jumped on the bandwagon.
Do they have no clue that gambling is not something to encourage and that harm would ensue? Unfortunately, it seems that money won out despite gambling addiction, broken families, fixed games, insider betting, etc.
Can we expect those who have lost their moral compass to rectify the damage they have caused? I, for one, would like to watch hockey (and other sports) without betting odds and ads being jammed down my throat.
Sally Plumb Toronto
It’s not enough to ban the advertising of gambling. The practice of gambling itself should be banned and government-operated casinos shut down.
I believe casinos only prey on the most vulnerable. A government that deals cards to its citizens is not worthy of my support.
Shaul Ezer Montreal
Channel changer
Re “Paris Olympics: Paris closed out the 2024 Olympics with a final star-studded show” (Aug. 12): I was utterly frustrated with CBC’s coverage of the closing ceremony. It was littered with advertising, destroying any continuity for me, and announcers who sat in amazement.
I switched to NBC, where U.S. announcers tastefully told us what was going on with intelligent commentary and no ad interruptions.
David Chalmers Toronto
Medal haul
Re “COC celebrates Canada’s historic success at Paris Olympics despite scandals” (Sports, Aug. 12): Canadians can be proud of our athletes and their achievements. For a population of 40 million, we competed.
We should be especially proud of our two flagbearers, Ethan Katzberg and Summer McIntosh. Ms. McIntosh’s grace in winning is only surpassed by her modest and well-spoken commentaries.
Martin Pick Peterborough, Ont.
Canada’s gold-medal count was behind New Zealand (population: five million), just ahead of Uzbekistan (36 million) and well behind Australia and the tiny Netherlands.
Except for a precious few wonderful moments – Summer McIntosh’s three gold medals, the men’s 4x100-metre relay team and the hammer throwers, which together accounted for six of Canada’s nine gold medals – the soccer and track coaching scandals, along with an inordinate number of bronze medals (nice try), completed what I can only call a wanting national performance.
Mike Priaro Calgary
With a population smaller than the Greater Toronto Area, New Zealand completed an outstanding medal haul at the Olympics. Having recently spent three months there, I observed firsthand what a remarkable sporting and fitness nation it is.
Everywhere I went, people were walking, running, cycling, swimming, sailing, paddling, golfing, playing tennis, etc. The Kiwis are enormously proud of their successful rugby, football, cricket and netball teams, which are derived through significant sports programs in schools and clubs and supported with world-class development facilities.
Congratulations to New Zealand.
Stuart Wright Quinte West, Ont.
Au revoir
Re “Adieu Paris! You were your genuine self and the Olympic Games were better for it” (Aug. 10): I wonder if columnist Cathal Kelly and I attended the same Olympics, where he found that “almost nothing worked exactly as it should.” My family and I found that everything worked better than we could have imagined.
The city, particularly the metro, sparkled like never before (the metro actually smelled good). There were volunteers guiding spectators at every turn. Accessing and attending events was easy and comfortable.
Yes, it was hot, and for the most part there was no air conditioning. But then much of the world does not have this luxury that Canadians can afford thanks to inexpensive electricity.
In my opinion it would be difficult, if not impossible, for any other city to replicate an Olympics like this one. No other city would be able to provide comparable infrastructure. No other city would be able to host events in and around some of the world’s greatest monuments.
Julia Martin Ottawa
The Paris Olympics? One word: perfection.
Merci.
Tom and Eleanore Lamont Collingwood, Ont.
Letters to the Editor should be exclusive to The Globe and Mail. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. Keep letters to 150 words or fewer. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. To submit a letter by e-mail, click here: letters@globeandmail.com