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Letters To The Editor News

Letters to the Editor: Tory’s Gardiner power play

Tory’s Gardiner power play

Good insight piece on the Gardiner by Roger Brook (NOW, June 11-17) focusing on the oh so cozy relationship between John Tory and developer First Gulf. The so-called “hybrid” plan that took the Gardiner vote was a slick piece of work. Council got played like a fiddle. After the divisive vote, it’s clear that a great gulf formed between the mayor and expressway demolitionists, which is more than a bit ironic since 

First Gulf is, after all, the commercial division of builder Great Gulf. The city owns plenty of land all around this developer’s site, and it needs to negotiate hard to fully advocate for the public’s best interest. There’s got to be more give and take to get the job done, not just First Gulf first.

Robert McBride

Thornhill


Tunnel vision for waterfront highway 

We need more than just a boulevard to replace the Gardiner East (NOW, June 4-10). We need to improve, or at least maintain, its current capacity. As David Crombie once said: “You can stand at Yonge and Front streets and not even know that Toronto is on a lake.” Let’s build a below-grade expressway with north-south car and pedestrian bridges over it. 

Tunnels are too claustrophobic and should only be used in the densest areas along the route

Phil Prentice

Toronto


Dead cyclist has only himself to blame

Re Did City’s Negligence Kill Roger du Toit? (NOW, June 11). I have been cycling daily in downtown Toronto for 30 years. Usually, on issues involving bikes and cars, I’ll side with bikes. Not this one. 

I agree that a 40 km/h speed limit at Wrentham and Roxborough where du Toit was killed is not reasonable. The streets are too narrow and there are too many curves and too many pedestrians. 

But as Hamish Wilson points out, there are sightline issues at the intersection. Du Toit entered the intersection when a car was coming right through, according to police. I’m sorry this happened, but the only person at fault here is du Toit.

M.B.

Toronto


Fashion industry doesn’t deserve funds

Another article in NOW about how underfunded the fashion industry is in Canada (NOW, June 11-17). Oh, cry me a river. 

I’m an artist, too, and fully support government arts funding, but I do not support the fashion industry because of its disrespect for women. 

With very few exceptions, the industry persistently touts completely unrealistic body types and youth as the sole standard of female beauty. 

Then there’s the lingerie for girls chain that profits from the insecurity-inducing hyper-sexualization of young girls. In addition, this industry uses sweatshop labour. Will funding it help put an end to this distasteful status quo? 

Susan McLaughlin

Toronto


Casting about for voting excuses

While I enjoyed Linda McQuaig’s observations on voting and the Fair Elections Act (NOW, June 11-17), many voters just don’t understand their responsibilities as citizens. 

By having slightly different rules for federal, provincial and civic elections, governments don’t make it easy, but the basics are the same. Your OHIP card is a medical record, so no can use. No driver’s licence? Obtain an Ontario ID card. 

Vouching? After spending 40-plus years as a poll clerk and returning officer, this is a slippery slope to be avoided. 

Ian Byers

Toronto


Trouble with Burger’s Priest success 

I’m left feeling angry and powerless when I see the Burger’s Priest getting so much press (NOW, June 12), knowing full well that owner Shant Mardirosian is a conservative Christian. 

I realize it’s not illegal to hold his beliefs and that we can only judge people by what they say and do. It’s just troubling to see.

C.D.

Toronto


GMOs fail food safety test 

Re The Twisted Truth About GMOs (NOW, June 11-17). There is no solid evidence demonstrating that GM foods are safe, and substantial evidence has demonstrated that several are not. Moreover, this evidence tends to implicate general features of the genetic engineering process itself, which casts doubt on the safety of all of them. 

Charges that the concerns about GM foods are based on anecdotal evidence and on studies that are not subjected to peer review are blatantly false. There have been numerous peer-reviewed studies that have detected adverse effects on laboratory animals. 

Another reality that weighs heavily against the safety of GM foods is the incontrovertible fact that their proponents have systematically distorted the facts – not only about the tests that have been performed on them but even about how they are created. 

Steven Druker

From nowtoronto.com


Jeff Rubin for PM

Adria Vasil’s interview with Jeff Rubin (Pop Goes The Oil Sands, NOW, May 28-June 3) should be required reading for all politicians. It’s a pity that a man of his stature isn’t in charge of the people who are supposedly running Canada’s economy.

Derek Bampton

Toronto

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