Injection sites should be supported
Re Three drug injection sites recommended
for Toronto, two in Ottawa, April 11 It is absolutely critical that the cities of Ottawa and Toronto get onboard and support safe injection sites. Safe injection sites reduce the chances police officers will be exposed to HIV in the course of their work. This fact is recognized by many police services in the United States. A case in point: the Atlantic City, New Jersey police in December 2008 supported that city’s then new needle exchange program primarily because it reduces the odds their members will be exposed to HIV infection in their work. For the
The increasing inequality gap
Re Most favour higher tax to fight in
equality, April 10 I’m not surprised by the results of the poll released by the Broadbent Institute on income inequality in Canada. Studies from all over the world have shown that the growing gap between the super-rich and everyone else is creating real problems, particularly with young people and anyone who is at or near the bottom of the economic ladder. We know there is a direct correlation between levels of income and the rate of poverty, chronic disease, addiction, mental illness and incarceration. The poll also shows that Canadians believe the inequality gap is undermining our democracy and core values. All fair-minded Canadians want this situation reversed. The fastest way to close the gap is by making our taxation system fairer. A slight increase on the wealthiest, as suggested by NDP Leader Andrea Horwath, is a step in the right direction. Virginia Ridley, London, Ont. I don’t begrudge Ontario’s millionaires their millions. But I also don’t think it’s too much to ask them to pay a little more when so many in the province have been asked to sacrifice so much. To me it’s a question of fairness. We all have to tighten our belts a little to get the deficit down and they probably have a bit more room to spare when it comes to tightening. I hope that Premier Dalton Mcguinty will seriously consider the NDP’S suggestion for a surtax on the richest, not just to avoid an election, but because it is the right thing to do. Dora Robinson, Aurora Re Time to tackle income inequality, Opinion, April 10 Ed Broadbent reiterates what most Canadians are already quite aware of but poses no concrete solutions other than taxation. Collecting more taxes from well-off Canadians will not put more money into the pockets of average wage earners. It may increase the funding for a variety of social programs but it will not create jobs or wealth. Canada has spent much of its history reaping easy wealth from its natural resources but these too are dwindling. Canada must recreate itself as a nation of innovation and ideas. The only way to achieve this is to educate. If the social programs Broadbent touts include free or affordable higher education and skill training, I am all for it. John de Vries, Toronto record, in the U.S. all states now have needle exchange programs. An important concern at hand for police services is the health and safety of their members. For police administrations and police unions, this should be a workplace safety issue. They must not put the health and safety of police officers at risk. Those in the policing community who oppose these sites should reconsider the horrific consequences of their opposition to a proven, cost-effective, evidence-based program that reduces the harmful side effects of drug use, and in the process enhances the safety of police officers and other emergency work-
Onus should be on the city
Re Hitting a wall in war against graffiti, April 13 The fact that the Rooster Coffee House is being punished for the acts of vandals is simply outrageous. Isn’t that like punishing someone who has just been mugged or otherwise victimized? It would seem more appropriate that the onus should be on the city and its police force (to serve and protect?) to support the Rooster by apprehending these losers and putting them where they can’t inflict any more harm. Rick Tufts, Toronto I work in an area of Scarborough where a number of the industrial buildings have murals painted on them. Not one has ever been hit by tagging. There seems to be an underlying code of respect for the artist’s creation among fellow artists and taggers alike while the reverse holds true for anything the city paints. My suggestion for the Rooster Coffee House would be to hire an artist to paint a mural on the wall. It seems if you can’t beat them you have to join them. Ross Reynolds, Toronto The city has its priorities all wrong. It should be mounting a campaign to stop the perpetrators of the unsightly graffiti instead of harassing businesses and homeowners to remove it. If you ride the GO train in the GTA you will see it all along the route. Who is going to pay for it to be removed on public property? I also see graffiti on the sides of trucks around the GTA as well. Each person who paints graffiti has a signature. Their friends and peers know who they are. Why not offer cash rewards for people who turn them in to city officials? Attack the problem not the results. I believe it’s time to make it a provincial crime to deface property anywhere in Ontario. It certainly hurts the image of the province as well as the city of Toronto. Patrick Hurley, Oakville ers. It should be noted that based on scientific evidence, the Vancouver Police Department supported the continuance of that city’s supervised injection site.
It is about time we start treating drug use and drug addiction for what it is, namely a public health problem. And when evidencebased research shows harm reduction programs, including safe injection sites, are good for public health, everyone — politicians, police services, and other concerned organizations and individuals — should take note. Emile Therien, Public Health & Safety Advocate, Ottawa
Wildrose using Harper’s tactics
Re Wildrose leader says she is pro-choice,
supports gay rights, April 12 The Wildrose party is using the same deflection tactics that the Harper Conservatives used in the last federal election. The sad part is that these tactics usually work among an uninformed electorate.
Danielle Smith may personally be pro-choice and pro-equality, but the party she leads is filled with conservative extremists who want nothing more than a chance to take Alberta back to the stone ages.
As a gay man living in Alberta, I have seen first-hand how angry, bigoted and hostile Wildrose supporters can be toward anyone who disagrees with their viewpoint.
If Wildrose forms a majority in Alberta, I’m moving to B.C. Ken Erickson, Airdrie, Alta.
A truly subtle approach
Re Harper’s cynical assault on democracy,
Opinion, April 12 A governing power that promotes cynicism and voter disengagement has a truly subtle approach to voter suppression, much better than “robocalls.”
Come the next election, I will be promoting a line from one of Rick Mercer’s “rants,” To paraphrase, “If you really want to scare the politicians in Ottawa, everyone get out and vote!” I am not advocating for any party or principle other than the opportunity to exercise your democratic rights, disrupt cynical convictions regarding Canadian apathy, and have fun doing it. Wear a costume, bring your friends, stain your thumb and show it with pride! Just make sure you check your voter’s card for the correct polling address. Mark Bonham, Whitby
Ombudsman needed for health
Re Holding hospitals to account, Opinion,
April 9 André Marin makes a strong case. It’s really troubling that there is no ombudsman for health-care issues in Ontario. If there was more accountability, we’d all be safer. Richard Kadziewicz, Scarborough