LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Liberals soft on crime

RE: WHILE SHE SITS IN HEALING LODGE, THERE IS LITTLE SIGN TERRI-LYNNE MCCLINTIC HAS CHANGED HER WAYS, OCT. 9

I read in disgust that the federal Liberals have again shown how soft they are on crime. They allowed the move from a prison to a so called “healing lodge” of brutal child killer Terri-Lynne McClintic, who helped kidnap, rape and kill a defenceless eight-year-old child (Tori Stafford), to stand.

This healing lodge found in Saskatchewan has no fences. Tori’s father (Rodney Stafford) pleaded with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale to stop the transfer and send her back to federal prison. This fell on deaf ears in the House of Commons. The opposition attempt to send McClintic back to jail was rejected by a 200-82 vote. Trudeau left the House as the vote was being counted — unbelievable!

We have seen how Ontario and Quebec Liberals have been thrown out of office by Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservatives and Francois Legault’s centre right coalition avenir — both with large majorities. Liberals are on the run. Their soft on crime and other horrific decisions (too many to mention here) will get them removed from office — and Trudeau can go back to his real job as a part time drama teacher.

Steve Underwood

Niagara Falls

No helmet, no health coverage?

RE: ONTARIO TO EXEMPT SIKH MOTORCYCLISTS FROM HELMET LAW, OCT. 11

Ontario’s change to the helmet law for motorcyclists should include a caveat. Sikhs choosing to ride a motorcycle without a helmet should do so without OHIP coverage in the event that they are injured while doing so. Taxpayers shouldn’t be paying for an individual’s poor decision making.

B. McNeil

Port Colborne

Address sidewalk issue

I attended the candidates’ meet and greet for Port Dalhousie ward on Sept. 27. The well-organized event provided hundreds of voters with an opportunity to hear the views of four candidates. A lot of the discussion and panel questions were related to issues specific to ‘the village of Port.’

However, the ward is diverse and there are other important issues, specifically, the housing development at Olde School Court, located off Cecil Street, and the challenge to the pre-approved city and council sidewalk installation to ensure safe pedestrian access to a pre-existing, well-used public walkway linking Cecil Street to Juliana Crescent, and Linwell Road at Ontario Street. Sidewalks are needed in this area, which is close to elementary and secondary schools, two longterm care homes, a seniors’ residence, Jaycee Park and bus routes.

Any elected official better become familiar with the city’s official plan, which endorses the principles of shared community assets, publicly accessible infrastructure, neighbourhood connectivity, equal access for the disabled, and general safety of all pedestrians, as it seems that one current incumbent, Carlos Garcia, had a memory lapse about it on Sept. 27.

Denise Papaiz

St. Catharines

Provide an alternate plan

RE: TELL DOUG FORD: A PRICE ON CARBON IS ACTUALLY A CONSERVATIVE IDEA, OCT. 3

When I was a teenager I would at times — OK, frequently — buck my parents’ house rules. Instead of engaging me in endless arguments, they would invite me to table an alternative rule, a better plan, one that effectively addressed both sides’ concerns. I hated that but now I see how respectful they were of my budding ability to think rationally and to problem-solve. I thank them for that today.

Our collective non-partisan problem is that we must lower our greenhouse gas emissions quickly. Canada can only do that province by province by territory. Jason Kenney’s, Doug Ford’s and Andrew Scheer’s responsibility is to put on their thinking caps and table their effective and efficient plans. It is not to argue emptyhanded: this does nothing to lower our pollution levels.

Until and unless they do that their empty arguments will get no respect from me. It taxes my mind that they would think otherwise.

Carole Lavallee

Chelmsford