Not forgotten, ignored
Inside the fight for $120B: How Canada’s broken treaty, Dec. 16
An interesting piece about yet another injustice done to Indigenous Peoples, although it is incorrect to address it as “forgotten promises.”
Not forgotten; blatantly ignored. Just as all the things that are inconvenient to address — insufficient housing and funding for Canada’s seniors; affordable housing; food shortages . . .. contrary to popular belief, misery does not love company.
Patricia Griffiths, Seguin, ON
Embracing holiday joy
Merry Christmas vs. Happy Holidays — does it even matter? Dec. 18
I wholeheartedly endorse Jennifer Cole’s insight that the goodwill we extend in holiday greetings transcends the specific phrases we employ. I celebrate Christmas, and am equally elated when a Jewish friend wishes me a “Happy Hanukkah” as when a fellow Christian greets me with a “Merry Christmas.” Beyond the confines of the traditional holiday season, receiving a Diwali sweet and greeting around November or an “Eid Mubarak” at Eid al-Fitr fills me with joy. Let’s avoid semantic entanglements and embrace the diverse ways in which others choose to spread happiness.
Paul Rasbach, Toronto
There are two sides to every coin
Working towards a ceasefire in Israel-Hamas war, Dec. 18
Reading through the Star’s view, two thoughts came to mind:
1. Those who have opposed the stand taken by Canada, should realize that there are always two sides to a coin. Condemning Gaza only for the Oct. 7 attack can only be justified if simultaneously the atrocities committed by Israel on the people of Palestine for over decades is also condemned.
2. The silver lining in the Star’s view is the compelling case put forward of by the former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert that of NATO forces to take place of Israeli forces. This will ensure some sort of relief for the Palestinians.
Raza Kara, Richmond Hill
Let’s see photos of the suffering Palestinians, too
Israel faces growing class from allies for ceasefire, Dec. 18
Three Israeli hostages have been mistakenly killed by the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) and the hostages are named and their funeral makes the front page of your paper. Meanwhile, at least 20,000 Palestinians have been killed by the IDF, thousands of them women and children, and millions have been displaced. As the UN stated, “this is a genocide in the making.” As a Christian, I say that we are all made in God’s image and it is time that your newspaper and all of the mainstream media starts seeing Palestinians as people, too, putting their suffering photographs and names on the front page of your paper and denouncing the slaughter of these people.
Clarification -- Dec. 19, 2023
This letter has been updated. About 20,000 Palestinians have been killed in the current war between Israel and Hamas, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza, which doesn't separate civilian and combatant deaths.
Joanne Clarke, Toronto
Ford’s attack ads against Crombie are shameful
Premier Ford and the Ontario Conservatives should be ashamed of themselves for their radio ads aimed against Ontario Liberal leader Bonnie Crombie. Their first statement about Crombie on her first week wanting to raise $1 million in donations to raise money to pay her salary is disingenuous at best. The Conservatives appear to be learning from the Republican Party in the U.S.A.
It looks like the next two years are going to be full of nastiness filled with untruths.
Allan Glube, Toronto
Bonnie bashing won’t win this vote
I am shocked and appalled at the Progressive Conservative party’s commercial that bashes Ontario Liberal leader Bonnie Crombie. I am a Progressive Conservative and am embarrassed and disgusted by this commercial.
Bashing demonstrates that the PC’s are unable to think of their own advantage, unable to tell the electorate what the positives they can expect with the PC’s and resort to the lower form of persuasion of negativity.
Do I really want to support a party that resorts to cheap bashing, instead of the higher and better ground? Are they so worried about the Liberals that they consider the only offensive strategy is to make the other person look bad? I for one do not want to support a party that has so little intellectual ability that must resort to base methods. I will be voting for the Liberals.
Patricia Goldthorpe, Etobicoke
Here’s how to end Toronto’s gridlock
Get rid of all street parking on all downtown streets between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday to Friday.
It is the only way to increase traffic flow and stop gridlock. Unfortunately, any city councillor who proposes this, has just killed their political career, by inciting the wrath of car citizens. I can hear the roar now.
Margaret White, Toronto
Drink enough booze and you’ll forget about the missing basics?
Beer, wine coming to Ontario corner stores by 2026, Dec. 14
While Doug Ford and his gleefully grinning cohorts are extolling the benefits of bringing alcohol to convenience stores, the dire situations regarding the basics of life … food, shelter and health care, continue to be ignored by this government.
Mary Morrison, Mississauga
What about the risk of injury to corner store clerks?
Beer, wine coming to Ontario corner stores by 2026, Dec. 14
Where is chamber of second and sober thought on expanding beer/wine sales in convenience stores?
With expanded beer/wine sales, I worry for all the clerks, including students who work in these convenience stores and late at night with their increased personal risks. With all the brazen smash 'n grabs, holdups, robberies, etc. on the rise, how long will it take before something goes terribly awry with an employee of one of these stores getting traumatized, threatened or seriously injured in attempts to steal alcohol products?
Very similar-looking cans, some being with alcohol while others being alcohol-free will be placed near each other, creating quite a temptation for minors. Is some young employee going to be expected to require seeing ID from one of their peers? I don't think they should ever be put in that position in the first place. Oftentimes, they're the only employee in the store. Would Ford want his niece/ nephew or grandchild holding down that job?
Jim McEwen, Bowmanville
Flood map risk piece is informative and praise worthy
Having just complained about shoddy reporting on COVID deaths, I must commend you in the strongest possible terms for the exceptional report on flood risk in Toronto. Nuanced, informative, relevant, clearly written, and with a great map. Worthy of praise and an award or two.
This is precisely the type of reporting that compels us to continue to support the Star (along with the pleasure of getting to read the thoughts of Heather Mallick).
Howard Goodman, Toronto
