É«É«À²

Indeed, because history doesn’t have much to teach us about the future, it normalizes disastrous patterns and builds a sense of futility.

Our learning will come only when we devote serious attention to specifically imagining, finding ways to experiment with and co-operatively building a better way of being together in the world.

Saying ‘never again’ means little without being equipped to say: ‘This, instead.’

Karen Dunk-Green, É«É«À²

Millions spent on bike lane fiasco better spent on improving transit

Judge strikes down Doug Ford’s plan to remove É«É«À² bike lanes as unconstitutional, July 30

From what I’ve read, the estimated cost to remove the bike lanes on Bloor Street, Yonge Street and University Avenue in É«É«À² is $48 million. This is in addition to the $27 million already spent to install them.

Not only that, but how much has Doug Ford’s government already spent on court costs trying to fight them?

Here’s an idea: Use those millions to improve transit in É«É«À² so people will actually want to take the subway or the bus. It could go a long way to the TTC being ‘The Better Way’ once again, and city streets would be less congested and safer for everyone.

Mary Sullivan, Lindsay, Ont.

Just say no to nuclear power. It’s costly and anything but clean

While Donald Trump clings to energy sources of the past, Mark Carney has a golden opportunity to move Canada forward, Aug. 1

Nuclear power can only be called ‘clean’ with respect to greenhouse gas emissions. In terms of radioactive waste and toxic emissions, it is far from being clean or green.

Neither is the cost of building SMRs (small modular reactors), the most prohibitive reason for refraining from diverting taxpayer dollars away from renewables into nuclear power and delaying their implementation by decades. Everyone knows the track record of the global nuclear industry — cost overruns are all but guaranteed, again at taxpayer expense.

But in listening to the advocates for nuclear power, it would seem budgetary and environmental concerns are simply quashed in the name of what they call a stable energy supply.

Of course, this is nonsense. Nuclear power plants are regularly shut down for maintenance. What energy source will we rely on in the meantime? Coal, oil, gasoline, natural gas?

If clean energy is the energy of the future, this means an emphatic ‘No!’ to nuclear power.

Taxpayers, like the environment, can only take so many hits.

Wayne Turner, Saskatoon, Sask.

Cancelling backyard hen program was a mistake

É«É«À²â€™s decision to end its UrbanHensTO pilot program raises serious questions about the balance between public health policy and evidence-based risk assessment.

The move was prompted by concerns over avian influenza, despite just one confirmed human case in Canada. Ever.

While caution is warranted with emerging health threats, this action disproportionately targets a small number of responsible backyard hen keepers. These hens are confined, monitored and cared for within enclosed spaces, posing a vastly lower public exposure risk compared to the city’s millions of wild migratory birds, known carriers of avian influenza, that move freely through urban parks and waterfronts.

By focusing on backyard coops instead of broader environmental sources, the city risks undermining sustainable urban agriculture based on precaution rather than data. Clean, well-kept hen enclosures aren’t a public health hazard — they’re part of a growing movement toward food resilience and responsible stewardship.

É«É«À² residents deserve policies that weigh actual risks against the real benefits of thoughtful, localized animal care. Let’s not lose sight of that balance in our efforts to keep the city healthy and forward-thinking.

Mike van der Jagt, Port Colborne, Ont.

Carney must focus on what’s best for Canada, not Trump

Carney says Canada will spend 5% of its GDP on defence by 2035, June 25

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s ascension to PM was based on his presumed international financial savvy and courageous ‘Elbows Up’ approach to Donald Trump.

Instead, Carney has committed tens of billions of dollars which we don’t and won’t have to appease Trump’s rantings and threats about NATO participation. Our prime minister added two helicopters to help defend a 8,000-kilometre border against a phony fentanyl threat.

Donald Trump is a one-man wrecking ball, not a diplomat. He cannot be reasoned with. The only way to protect Canada is to take the offensive.

It’s time to do what’s best for Canadians, not Trump.

Maurice Sacco, É«É«À²

Supplying É«É«À² with another energy line fraught with peril

É«É«À²â€™s power needs are skyrocketing. The province says it has a plan, June 4

Flying under the radar is a decision that will be made this month to proceed with a third line for energy transmission to provide electricity for É«É«À²â€™s growing needs.

My bet is on Darlington, site of the proposed new small modular reactor experiment.

But this option needs much more scrutiny for the following reasons: First, nuclear has proven to be the most expensive form of energy by a long shot. This will be reflected in our utility bills for decades. Secondly, renewable options in onshore and offshore wind, solar and hydro are already less expensive and can be accessed sooner and more sustainably than experimental new nuclear power. Thirdly, as we know from history, the timeline on nuclear power is always longer than planned, and in the interim the government plans to ramp up polluting gas-fuelled plants.

Finally, the proposed Hitachi technology comes to us from the USA and will tie us to purchasing American enriched uranium.

Premier Doug Ford, is this really your best shot?

Gabriela Byron, É«É«À²

Why is É«É«À² unable or unwilling to deal with the city’s rat problem?

É«É«À² neighbourhoods have been besieged by ‘a perfect rat storm.’ Here’s what the city plans to do about it, July 3

It’s frustrating to see how city council is mismanaging the issues facing É«É«À².

The rat problem is acknowledged by all residents and confirmed daily by sightings in every corner of the city. Council is complicating a simple issue with countless studies and recommendations which, if approved, will come into effect next year.

How absurd to delay implementation when rat population multiplies at a phenomenal rate. Rodents are a real threat to our health.

Wake up councillors, and fast track implementation to deal with this embarrassing problem.

Major cities in Canada and the U.S. have adopted solutions to address the rodent issue.

What is É«É«À² waiting for?

Paul Hurtubise, É«É«À²