LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

‘Non-violent’ isn’t same as ‘peaceful’

We keep hearing about the “peaceful” rail blockades. I think there is confusion about “peaceful” and “non-violent.”

People who block a rail or a road are being non-violent but not peaceful since preventing people from using a public service is a breach of “the peace” in the legal sense.

A peaceful protest would stand beside the rail or road and wave placards.

Richard Scott, Montreal

No confidence in virus response Re: “First probable Quebec case of COVID-19 found in Montreal” (Montreal Gazette, Feb. 28)

While representatives of the Quebec government say the system is “working well,” it’s difficult to share that state of confidence.

Presumably this individual came into contact with numerous others at airports, on the plane, in the clinic and elsewhere. Each of these encounters was an opportunity to transmit the virus.

If this is the best response Health Minister Danielle Mccann can muster, we’re headed for trouble.

While China has responded decisively and expediently and the World Health Organization is teetering on the declaration of a pandemic, the minister leaves the very distinct impression that Canada and other western nations are ill prepared to manage an outbreak.

Why hasn’t the individual in question been transferred to quarantine at CFB Trenton as opposed to “voluntary isolation” at home?

It seems like this simply isn’t being taken seriously enough. Alan Gorman, Toronto

A stark reminder of shameful past Re: “Quebec will seek fix to anti-semitic deeds” (Montreal Gazette, Feb. 25)

Quebec Justice Minister Sonia Lebel is to be applauded for her resolve to find a way to have archaic anti-semitic clauses prohibiting the sale of property to Jews stricken from the deeds of sale. More so, Anne-marie Ashcroft, the real estate broker who has pushed for legislation to this effect, has shown the power of one person to effect positive change on our society.

As a daughter of Holocaust survivors whose mother had to wear a cross in order to buy her first home in Ste-agathe in the 1960s because of fear of these discriminatory clauses, I was appalled to learn of their continued existence in deeds of sale.

These clauses are reminiscent of the laws enacted in Nazi Germany forbidding Jews from owning land that were designed to isolate and polarize the Jewish community and are one of the eight recognized stages leading to genocide.

While the clauses recently unearthed in Quebec towns are from a bygone era, their continued existence is a chilling reminder of Canada’s anti-semitic history. They must not only be made invalid by the Charter of Rights, but through a law obliging notaries to automatically strike them from property deeds. Heidi Berger, president, The Foundation for Genocide Education

Merger of stations raises questions

Re: “N.D.G. up in arms against police station closure” (Montreal Gazette, Feb. 24)

Projet Montréal councillors in Côte-des-neiges—nôtredame-de-grâce note that Montreal police offered to meet with elected officials to explain the merger of Stations 9 and 11.

At the same time, the executive-committee member responsible for public security advises that since the lease for Station 11 has not been renewed, there is really nothing to discuss.

If that’s the case, why even bother with a meeting where there is nothing to be accomplished? Where was the consultation? Where was the public input?

The first question to ask is whether the lease can be renewed. If yes, renew it immediately. If not, the second question, given Mayor Valérie Plante’s electoral platform of more transparency and citizen input: Whose heads will roll for this?

Bob Vanier, Montreal

Familiar portrait of police behaviour Re: “Officer who shot man in distress breaks down at inquest” (Montreal Gazette, Feb. 21)

During a Montreal police intervention, Pierre Coriolan, a 58-year-old man of Haitian descent suffering from mental illness, “was shot again while he was on the ground and then struck with a baton.” A neighbour captured part of the episode on a cellphone video.

Do you need to see the video to get the picture?

Robert Miller, N.D.G.

Assisted dying and mental illness Re: “Let’s have better support for our right to live” (Opinion, Feb. 19)

Psychologist Georgia Vrakas writes she has been living with a mental illness for the past 20 years, has had at least three episodes of major depression and is currently “in my recovery process.”

It appears she regards her recoveries from recurrent bouts of depression both as proof there is hope of emerging from the darkness — if not permanently — and as reason to deny people with mental afflictions the option of assisted dying.

Possibly she has more endurance, or a greater will to live despite suffering, than others. No doubt everyone experiences mental affliction differently. It is possible not everyone with a major mental affliction has as much perseverance as she seems to have. Many may lack the will to go on fighting, to continue the battle.

Seesawing over a course of decades between suffering and remission is a large order. The right to die may therefore mean more to some afflicted people than the right to live. Levels of tolerance vary. The inside story is not the same for everyone. No one should be required to endure more than they feel they can.

Tom Merrill, Montreal

Money for orderlies — not wall paint

The Quebec government is allocating $5 million to longterm care facilities so that patients can choose paint colour and furniture options for their rooms. Seriously?

I have a better suggestion: Can the Health Ministry please allocate more sums so that an adequate number of PABS — préposés aux bénéficiaires, or orderlies — can be hired? And properly trained?

My mother is in a CHSLD, as the facilities are known. The care is often excellent, but the centre is short-staffed on a regular basis. I’ve seen some patients still in bed at lunchtime and overworked PABS rushing around trying to get all the needs met.

Requests to go to the bathroom, diaper changes, meals — so much stress!

Morale takes a big hit when these situations occur. And I haven’t even mentioned holidays and weekends.

The residents on my mother’s floor don’t care about wall colours. They just need basic care given by staff who are not overwhelmed and overworked.

Louise Marzinotto, N.D.G.

More help needed for hearing loss

Re: “Looking age in the eye” (Weekend Life, Feb. 15)

Ian Mcgillis’s excellent article on Daniel J. Levitin’s new book on aging does not mention isolation due to hearing loss.

Excellent devices to help with hearing loss are available, and Quebec’s health insurance plan covers some of the cost — but only for very basic models and with conditions attached.

Why is it that if one makes the decision to upgrade beyond a basic device there is no help at all from Quebec?

I am sure that many seniors could avoid being institutionalized too soon simply by avoiding isolation due to hearing loss — surely a saving for Quebec in the long run. Annette Segal, Montreal

Les Canadiens must aim higher Re: “Habs great Lafleur yearns for old days, when Stanley Cup was Montreal tradition” (Sports, Feb. 27)

In recent years, the stated goal of Habs general manager Marc Bergevin has been to “make the playoffs.”

With that, you know former greats like Jean Béliveau, Maurice Richard, Bernie Geoffrion, Dickie Moore and others are turning in their graves.

Guy Lafleur put it best this week when he said the team has set the bar too low.

As a lifelong fan of another great sports dynasty — the New York Yankees — I know they begin each season with the goal of winning the World Series. Anything less is considered a losing season.

Perhaps the Canadiens need to change the people setting the goals rather than the ones following them. Harold Cammy, T.M.R.

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