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As a retired geriatric social worker, I see homeless seniors, some of them clearly confused, every day as I walk around my neighbourhood. The resources I could call to get them help last year no longer exist. Even getting a placement in crisis care now takes forever. Premier Doug Ford, you own this. You’ve privatized the system and cut Ontario Help at É«É«À². What remedial action are you taking? Oh, sorry. The Legislature is closed until October. As if the people of Ontario can wait.

Marcia Zalev, É«É«À²Ìý

Transit decisions should never be made by politicians

Controversial bus lanes on Bathurst and Dufferin could see changes following backlash, July 9

Trust the transportation engineers please.ÌýThe Bathurst bus lanes should go to Eglinton. City councillorÌýDianneÌýSaxe, who touts herself as an environmental champion, knows this yet she seems to want votes only from some people; not those stuck in congestion or on the bus not moving.

Barbara Gough, É«É«À²

We were heard and we won

Thank you for your well-balanced reporting today on the city’s change to the bus-lane plan. Residents and businesses north and south of Eglinton to Bloor who joined forces against the priority bus lanes as they were described, view this as a huge victory and a sign that we are being listened to by city staff. This decision was also due to robust media coverage such as yours, not to mention the added power of neighbourhood associations who initially spread the word in our communities.

The 355 St. Clair Avenue West Tenants Association was the first in the St Clair/Bathurst area to bang the drum through email outreach alerting other neighbourhood associations to the TTC RapidTO proposal. This was then carried forward by the advocacy of Casa Loma Residents Association who posted cogent objections on their website and met with Ward Councillor Josh Matlow. Councillor Dianne Saxe also proved to be available to enthusiastically dialogue with us. We were heard and won. Not as good as ice cream on a hot day but definitely a summer treat!

Barbara Chernin, É«É«À²

Two crucial historical precedents that would meet the military expansion challenge

It won’t be easy but here is how Mark Carney can pay for his promise to hike defence spending, June 29

Kevin Page’s highly informed and valuable insights on funding military expansion overlooked two crucial historical precedents which would meet the challenge. One is an infrastructure bank. The most famous example was used in the Depression and WW2 by the Americans. The Reconstruction Finance Corporation was an important factor in the economic miracle during WW2. Filmmaker and author Steven Fenberg won an Emmy for his documentary on it. Canada also had one, the Department of Munitions and Supply headed by the legendary C.D. Howe.

The second historical precedent which succeeded in Canada and the U.S. was a monetary policy which expanded the money supply at a very low interest rate to fund mobilizing all the resources which had been idled during the Depression. Those two precedents created an economic miracle.

Joseph Polito,ÌýÉ«É«À²

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HBC workers should get a share of profits

Labour groups, lawyers hope fall of Hudson’s Bay will spur change for workers, July 7

I read with absolute dismay that the CEOs at HBC would share the remaining profits after the bankruptcy process concluded. It shocked and horrified me that the very CEOs likely responsible for the company’s mismanagement and demise would share the remaining proceeds after the sale of assets, instead of the employees whose jobs were lost and income security destroyed.

I’m not sure how the law was applied in this case when the judge decided to reward the CEOs, but the outcome is outrageous to anyone with a conscience, or a sense of fairness.

Fran Bazos,ÌýNewmarket

We need to invest in mental health supports before we will see change

Having spent more than 20 years working in mental health, and some 13 years with people with serious mental illness, it came as no surprise to learn that a recent É«É«À² survey found that two-thirds of those surveyed had severe mental health conditions with comorbidity to addictions. A serious concern.

The psychiatric hospital system in Ontario was gutted more than 25 years ago, and with a Mental Health Act that almost totally focuses on the rights of the mentally ill individual, hands are tied, and so many now live untreated on our streets. This is compounded by a lack of investment in wraparound supports and specialized housing. Conditions will not improve until these areas are effectively addressed.

Desmond Pouyat, É«É«À²Ìý

Access to clean needles and injectables needs to continue

Remember Nancy Reagan and the “just say no” anti-drug campaigns in the 1980s and 90s? That program and the others that followed that path failed miserably. Experts in mental health and addictions have voiced concern about the decision to remove the supply of clean needles and injectables, noting it is not evidence-based. Please let’s not go the way of the United States and rely on gut feel and guesses about how to effectively address people suffering from addiction.Ìý

JaneÌýSanders, MississaugaÌý

Tuberculosis is a preventable and curable global health crisis

Every day, tuberculosis (TB) killsÌýÌý4,300 people — mothers, fathers, and children — many of whom have never had access to proper care. Despite being preventable and curable, TB remains the world’s deadliest infectious disease, continuing to devastate families in the world’s poorest nations.

It is heartbreaking that such suffering persists when effective solutions are available. Unfortunately, treatment for TB remains underfunded and overlooked when it comes to its relevance in sustainable development. According to the UN, an estimated $22 billion (U.S.) is needed annually for tuberculosis diagnosis, treatment, and care to achieve global targets agreed upon at the 2023 UN high level-TB meeting.

If we truly care about ending poverty and promoting global health equity, we can no longer afford to ignore these goals. Sustainable international development starts with ensuring that every personÌýhas access to basic health care and a chance to live a healthy life. As long as diseases like tuberculosis continue to ravage the world’s developing economies, achieving the UN’s sustainable development goals will remain out of reach.

The Canadian government must increase its support for initiatives aimed at ending TB. Every life lost to this disease is one too many, and we have a responsibility to act. As our country assumes the presidency of the G7, now is a better time than ever to bring this issue into the limelight.

Keyaan Wali Chowdhury, Mississauga