A cyclist on Bloor street in Toronto on Sept. 20, 2023.Sarah Palmer/The Globe and Mail
Get what you …
Re “Trump’s spectacular comeback was fuelled by America’s angst” (Nov. 7): As someone who has worked on numerous election campaigns, it is no surprise to me that the economy was the top priority for American women (and men). It is always about the money.
Richard Austin Toronto
Political pundits seem to be twisting themselves into pretzels trying to explain how the Democrats did not meet the needs of the population. The underlying theme I see is that the voter is always right.
Yet the majority of the American population seems to have been bamboozled by a conman who lacks the knowledge, ability or intent to make their lives better. At least in this presidential election, it would appear that the electorate did not take the time to inform themselves adequately to make the best decision for their own sake, and that of the country.
Jeff Whitehead Ottawa
Re “Same Trump. Different Canada. Different world” (Nov. 7): There is a difference between voting “for” someone versus voting “against” an alternative. I do not understand why anyone would vote “for” Donald Trump.
However, I also feel the same way about the Conservative party and its leader.
Doug James Calgary
Here, too
Re “Ahead of a historic U.S. election, Black Americans remember the painful Jim Crow era” (Nov. 4): “Businesses were demolished to make way for a highway, a fate Black neighbourhoods across the country endured.” This also happened in Canada.
“Hogan’s Alley was home to Vancouver’s largest Black and African diaspora community,” according to the city’s own website, but was “displaced over decades by the city’s actions, and finalized by the construction of the Georgia and Dunsmuir viaducts in 1972.”
Miriam Clavir Vancouver
(Not) in use?
Re “Ontario fast-tracks order to remove key Toronto bike lanes” (Nov. 2): It should make common sense to remove portions of bike lanes on Toronto’s busiest sections of road on Bloor Street, Yonge Street and University Avenue. This should be implemented more so in winter months, as fewer bikers are going to use these bike lanes.
It is sheer annoyance when bike lanes are placed everywhere on Mississauga roads. One sees that these separated bike lanes are not frequently used on suburban roads, even in summer, all day long.
When will municipal governments plan better?
Godfrey Louzado Mississauga
I live in midtown Toronto and have a car. I also have a bike and use the Yonge and Bloor street bike lanes regularly to get around the core of the city.
If every biker switches to their car, how is that going to improve traffic flow downtown? This city should have more alternative forms of transit, not less, to reduce traffic congestion.
If we all start driving downtown, where are we going to park? All the lots where I used to park have turned into construction sites or condos.
Marsha Copp Toronto
Overreach
Re “Group of Ontario mayors call for use of notwithstanding clause on encampments” (Nov. 1): I am disgusted and ashamed that Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie is among this number.
Mr. Guthrie has no mandate from city council or its citizens to request use of the notwithstanding clause to trample the Charter and the human rights of some of our most vulnerable citizens.
It’s clear to me that Doug Ford’s “strong mayor” powers are breeding local dictatorships.
Susan Watson Guelph, Ont.
What do the mayors propose to be done for what is essentially a social issue?
Jails are already bursting at the seams. Even if someone is motivated to receive help, there are no family doctors and there are waiting lists for psychological and psychiatric services, as well as a shortage of low-cost housing. I suspect many of those in encampments lack supplemental health coverage for private psychological services.
Homelessness is a complex issue that should have a targeted and individual response. What the mayors should be demanding is more investment in low-income housing, mental health and addiction supports and social workers to help people reintegrate into society.
The poor will always be with us, and neither Doug Ford nor the mayors can wish it away without a well thought-out and well-invested plan.
John Watters Ottawa
Time out
Re “As daylight time ends this weekend, scientists caution about messing with the clock seasonally” (Nov. 2): In Southern Ontario, it is dark at 7:30 in the morning from early December until mid-February. If we were on permanent daylight time, our children would be walking to school in the dark at 8:30. And at this time of year, I see little benefit in the early evening extra daylight.
This is worse the further north and west one lives in the province. The residents of Sault Ste. Marie, Ottawa, Marathon and Thunder Bay would not be pleased.
Permanent standard time should be the only answer. Unfortunately, our federal and provincial politicians do not seem well versed in geography
Mitch Banks Burlington, Ont.
Daylight time made sense when reintroduced for the Second World War: Shipyard, aircraft and armament workers and other civilians worked to a lock-step schedule. They needed extra rest time after work. That pattern persisted well into the 1960s.
Gradually, flex time became the norm, so anyone wanting longer afternoons could simply start earlier. Now, many work at home; their hours are theirs to manage. Daylight time makes no sense in this social context, and permanent daylight time would violate our circadian rhythms.
The obvious answer should be to adopt permanent standard time, so that our bodies remain reasonably in sync with the sun.
John Edmond Ottawa
Darkness broken
Re “The dark sky over an urban park in central Mexico attracts stargazers who worry it might not last” (Oct. 26): We do not need to look beyond our own backyard to worry about disappearing night skies.
Ontario’s dark-sky locations, recognized by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, include Bruce Peninsula National Park. According to Parks Canada, the dark-sky designation comes with “a special commitment to protect and preserve the night, reducing or eliminating light pollution in all forms.”
Unfortunately there seem to be no actual protections beyond that stated commitment. Protection apparently relies on the goodwill of landowners and local municipalities.
Our own Bruce Peninsula National Park is threatened by a proposal for a nearly 300-foot cell tower with a blinking red light, not within the actual footprint of the park but within the horizon of the night sky. This issue is currently in the public-comment stage.
If this concerns others like it does me, they should contact the company Shared Tower or the municipality.
Frances Anderson Northern Bruce Peninsula, Ont.
Behind bars
Re “Charles the gorilla’s quiet stardom at the Toronto Zoo reminded us we’re animals, too” (Nov. 2): I read with sadness of the death of Charles.
It’s been many years since I’ve seen him. But I remember 30 years ago, perhaps more, taking my son to the zoo and stopping at the gorilla’s space.
Charles was out and sitting very near the glass wall, and I stood and stared. We stared one upon the other, eye to eye. I felt immense sadness that has stayed with me.
I do not dispute the defence of zoos, I offer no argument. But I do offer this: Imagine all the good things that have happened in one’s life – only within a cage that one cannot leave.
Despite all the wonderful care Charles received, and all the great things we may have collectively learned, this truth is undeniable: He did not live his life on his terms. Charles, that great, magnificent silverback, lived his entire life in a cage.
Ed Seaward Halton Hills, 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