Ottawa Citizen

Make it safe or tear it down

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right now, the Prince of Wales Bridge is merely another grave marker for a lovely boy whose life was needlessly and carelessly lost through our `public safety' failure. A groundswel­l of public outrage is the only way to get action. Kate Harrigan, Ottawa

Re: The Boy Called Vimy, Oct. 19.

Thank you, Andrew Duffy, for bringing this incredible tragedy to the public's attention. I have rarely read a story that left me feeling so bereft for many days. My heart and soul are breaking for his family and friends. I remotely “COVID-hug” my 15-year-old grandson tighter.

My raw tears turn to flaming outrage over the deliberate negligence of multiple levels of government to do the right thing: simply make a decision and either tear down the bridge or turn it into a safe pathway for all to enjoy.

Right now, the Prince of Wales Bridge is merely another grave marker for a lovely boy whose life was needlessly and carelessly lost through our “public safety” failure. A groundswel­l of public outrage is the only way to get action now, for Vimy and for all the other lives that can still be saved.

Cut through the red tape that constantly constrains and ties Ottawa in knots, leaving so many critical decisions unmade — such as who's in charge of the COVID-19 response or how to fix the safety of long-term care homes, to name but a few.

The list is dangerousl­y long. Some issues are decades old and all of them negatively affect our lives and erode our trust in government competence.

Kate Harrigan, Ottawa

 ?? ASHleY FrASer ?? Vimy Grant was 14 when he leaped off the Prince of Wales Bridge in July. His body was found three days later.
ASHleY FrASer Vimy Grant was 14 when he leaped off the Prince of Wales Bridge in July. His body was found three days later.

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