É«É«À²

Albert Koehl presents a familiar narrative: a moral battle between the forces of climate-conscious urban reform and those who cling to car-centric convenience. With sweeping certainty, he frames resistance to the RapidTO Bathurst plan as obstructionism cloaked in privilege. But like many who theorize from a distance, Koehl omits a fundamental truth: people live on Bathurst Street. I am one of them.

Bathurst is not just an arterial road. It is home to nearly 3,000 residents between Bloor Street and Eglinton Avenue, many of whom live in low- to midrise apartments, above storefronts, or in houses without driveways or access to laneways. For us, the curb is not a symbol of car culture, it is a site of daily necessity. It is where groceries are unloaded, elders are assisted, and children are buckled into car seats. If converted into a 24/7 no-stopping lane, that curb — our only access point — disappears.

Koehl never acknowledges this. His argument is built on abstraction: the entitled driver, the indulgent merchant, the imagined opponent of fairness. It’s easier to lampoon a stereotype than engage the reality of residents whose lives do not fit his script.

Emily England, É«É«À²

Traffic congestion travels northbound too

City eyes changes to bus-lane plan,ÌýJuly 10

As a resident who lives north of Bloor Street, I’m disappointed that city staff only want bus-lanes running south. Congestion is bad in our neighbourhood; better public transit would improve things. Fast and frequent buses let drivers leave the car at home. I’m also concerned that, if we don’t expand bus-lanes, É«É«À² will be a laughing stock on the world stage. Is this what we want our World Cup guests to remember us for — buses stuck in traffic trying to get to the big game?

ÌýGideon Forman, É«É«À²

ButÌýIran has sworn to eliminate Israel

The U.S. bombing of Iran’s nuclear site will only further destabilize the Middle East, July 10

Linda McQuaig seems to overlook the fact that Iran has launched a total estimated number of 591 missiles at Israel in April and October 2024, and June 2025. She seems to ignore that Iran has formally sworn to eliminate Israel and supplies arms and money to the terrorist organizations of Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis to help achieve this goal. Many believe that if Iran, under control of the Ayatolla and the fundamentalist regime acquired nuclear weapons, they would use them. Why would we not believe them when they say they “Death to U.S.A., Death to Israel?”

Laurie Kochen, É«É«À²

A simple fix for the Parkside speed camera problem

I can’t help police catch the Parkside Drive camera vandal. But I can solve the street’s speeding problem, July 11

I have been following the trials and tribulations of the Parkside speed camera with some amusement. Here is an idea: put the camera way up a pole. This is the situation at Mount Pleasant and Elm streets and it appears to be working successfully.

The media and the police are certainly extremely focused on this pressing matter. Terrific that the police have some video footage to study. I am guessing that the person or persons involved were wearing a hoodie to obscure their face. I will return the excellent advice that the police gave me when presented with the video evidence of my car being stolen out of my driveway: now you have a nice souvenir of the event, but it won’t help us catch the thief.

I look forward to the next instalment of this long-running soap opera.

Roy Macdonald,ÌýÉ«É«À²

More threats and lies from Trump

Trump says Canada’s role in US fentanyl crisis justifies 35% tariffs on Canadian goods, July 10

Once again we are faced with threats and lies by U.S. President Donald Trump. The fabrication of declaring that Canada is part of the reason for the U.S. national fentanyl crisis. What sheer nonsense. What about the drug and gun flow the other way? Guns smuggled in from the U.S. have created a crisis here.Ìý

Prime Minister Mark Carney and Trump had agreed to work on a new agreement by July 31. Notwithstanding that we already had the USMCA agreement negotiated by Trump which he described as a great coup on his part. We have backed off enough to appease the lying untrustworthy bully. It’s time we accept that we need to take the pain of weaning ourselves off our U.S. reliance while we create internal efficiencies and build strong global relationships and markets. Trump thinks he has all the cards because he stacks the deck with extra aces. Time to quit the game.

Bob Shelton,ÌýNewmarket

Premier Ford seal the deal with the feds for child care

A child care wake-up call for Ford’s government, July 10

As a grandmother of two children who currently benefit from affordable, high quality child care, I echo Carolyn Ferns’ wake-up call to our elected provincial leaders. I see the difference it has made to my extended family’s ability to work, study and contribute to the community while also balancing the monthly budget.

Premier Ford and Minister Paul Callandra need to sign on to the agreement with the federal government for the next five-year phase of the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Plan and allocate their fair share of Ontario funds to make the program work for children, parents, child care staff and Ontario’s employers so that $10 per day child care is a reality for all families that want it. Child care is and always has been a key plank in a roadmap to economic security and success. Ontario can’t work without it.

Laurel Rothman, É«É«À²Ìý

The Young Offenders Act is offensive

Teen charged in attack on child, July 10

Yet again, a young adult who has committed a major crime is able to hide behind the Young Offenders Act. Anyone licensed to drive a car is an adult and should be expected to act as one or pay the price if they don’t. The act should apply to offenders at the lower end of the age group who commit petty thievery or mischief or other minor crimes. It shouldn’t apply to major crimes such as attempted murder, home invasion, carjacking, assault, etc. In these cases, the age of those charged should be irrelevant.

TomÌýDriedger, É«É«À²

Canada should change from a parliamentary to a democratic form of government

Canada should rid itself of the current Parliamentary system of government and replace it with a system of direct democracy. Every citizen could vote electronically, using their social insurance number, every two months on substantive issues. They would be briefed before each vote by public servants on the pros and cons of various proposals. In this system, there would be no need for MPs or senators.Ìý

Morris Givner, Halifax, N.S.