ɫɫ��

If we get rid of school boards, I guess we also don’t need municipal governments either. Let the province run everything, as it is doing such a great job.

Being a school trustee is not as easy as it looks. Many hours are spent, with quite low remuneration. Dealing with upset parents is not the easiest job in the world.

To suggest parents go to MPPs with educational concerns is especially ludicrous. MPPs have enough to do without dealing with the intricacies of education, for which many have no intimate knowledge.

Joel Hertz, former vice-chair, York Region District School Board,��ɫɫ����

A warmonger who wants to win a Nobel Peace Prize��

Trump executive order will rename the Department of Defense as the Department of War, Sept. 5

It’s no secret that U.S. President Donald Trump would love to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. Let’s just say his chances of winning it would have been better if he weren’t about to sign an executive order renaming the Department of Defense the Department of War.

The Norwegian jurors of the renowned prize must be having a good laugh. In reality, the 47th president’s dream ended the day he threatened to annex Greenland and��retake control of the Panama Canal. His stance on Gaza certainly didn’t help either.

Now that he’s guaranteed not to receive the prize, he can continue to cosy up to the world’s leading authoritarian and warmongering leaders, his idols and mentors.

Sylvio Le Blanc,��Montreal, PQ��

Transit riders should have priority during TIFF

TIFF celebrations in the city mean road closures, TTC detours. Here’s what you need to know, Sept. 3

When it comes to the streetcar service on King Street and TIFF, one can only conclude that TIFF, TTC and the city are bereft of any imagination. We know that the architects of the TIFF Lightbox recognized the issue of noise and vibration from passing streetcars and designed the building to avoid both. Of all the options available, the diversion is probably the worst, delaying TTC riders and benefitting nobody. Have no other options been considered? For example, the service could continue to run on that block with additional track protection while the traffic lanes are completely blocked and stops on that block temporarily removed. Or the service could short turn at either end of the block. Or all events could be moved to John Street. I’m sure the organizers of TIFF could even incorporate the streetcars into the event, if they cared to use some imagination. The TTC and the city need to demonstrate that transit services have priority and that they care for TTC riders.

Jim Roche, ɫɫ��

What’s next, ban the Bible?

Alberta insists it’s not a book ban as many classics are targeted by censors, Sept. 3

Alberta has hit a new low. Our government’s ban on books is ridiculous and embarrassing. I am thankful for companion of the Order of Canada’s Margaret Atwood’s playful and wise response. Unfortunately, Premier Danielle Smith likely won’t have read “The Handmaids Tale.” While I am often embarrassed by our politics, true pride in Alberta, that wasn’t well reported on,�� was found at the Pride Parade last Sunday. The streets were packed with thousands of joyful people celebrating rainbow inclusion, diversity and gender equality. It was heartwarming and a side of Calgary we know is often silenced and ignored by our government.

If Smith is going to ban books, she might consider the Bible which has ugly patriarchal sex roles and dark stories in the Book of Leviticus as well. Of course there is beautiful sexual poetry in the Song of Songs. Hmmm I wonder how that would go down with her right-wing fringe. Then again, she hasn’t likely read that book either!

Rev. John Pentland, Calgary, AB

We need to listen to First Nation leaders

First Nations leaders meet in Winnipeg to discuss federal push for major projects, Sept. 3

Thank you for reporting on the current meeting of First Nations leaders. With respect to Prime Minster Mark Carney’s Bill C-5, and Premier Doug Fords’ similar Bill 5, we settlers and our governments need to be serious about what we are saying in our “land acknowledgments.” If we really mean the words we are mouthing, listening to Indigenous leaders ought to be the first step. There is still time for Ford and Carney to open honest and respectful conversations with First Nations peoples. This reporting helps us to understand the perspective of people who have cared for these lands where we live from time immemorial.

Allan Baker, Scarborough, ON

Will Ford achieve his casino dreams at Ontario Place?

The Ford government touted Therme as a ‘world-class’ partner for Ontario Place. In Europe, ‘significant’ concerns have emerged over finances, Aug. 22

Given Therme’s short track record in business and apparently questionable financial footing, it may be that the only feasible successor to a failed spa at Ontario Place would be a casino. The size of the publicly-funded parking lot, spa building, and overall lot design suggests that only a casino-sized business would succeed in this space. If this is the case, then this would achieve another of Doug (and Rob) Ford’s dreams beyond buck-a-beer for Ontarians — placing a casino in the heart of the city.

Michael Slattery, ɫɫ����

What those tough budget choices really mean

Federal government’s spending review will likely include job cuts, finance minister says, Sept. 4

Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne promises austerity and investments in the coming budget. Let me translate for the uninitiated. “Austerity” means the poor and middle-class will be asked to make sacrifices so the rich don’t have to. “Investments” means that large pots of money will be made available to big corporations in the vague hope that some small fraction of the funds will trickle down to the average Joe.

��John Gavin, ɫɫ��