Harris was no hero

RE: MIKE HARRIS WAS A HERO (SEPT. 21) Frank Gue seems to have a severe case of amnesia. He is, to paraphrase Moynihan, entitled to his own opinion, but not his own facts.

One of those “crippling regulations” Mike Harris removed was found partially responsible for the Walkerton tragedy. People died.

Harris appointed a dropout, John Snobelen, just to spite teachers, and who was actually living in Oklahoma, as education minister. Snobelen was recorded plotting to “bankrupt and create a crisis in education.”

Harris sold off the 407 highway with callous disregard for taxpayers.

He was heard, although he denied it, saying, “I want the f—king Indians out of the park” (Ipperwash). Dudley George died.

The Harris/Eves duo left the province with a $5-billion deficit.

Harris amalgamated cities and downloaded costs to them. Studies proved there was no cost savings or lowered taxes.

Harris caused hardship and animosity across Ontario, which unfairly and severely affected the most vulnerable.

Finally — with regard to the Fraser Institute — this is a right wing, libertarian think-tank. Much of its money comes from American Oil, the Koch brothers and the tobacco industry. It is absolutely not non-partisan. In the 1990s it argued that there was no connection between second-hand smoke and cancer.

Sue Ruddle, Waterdown