ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½

The article states, “Staff estimated that the cost to implement the change would be about $36,000 in system updates and $520,000 in foregone revenue.�

This statement illustrates the attitude bureaucrats have toward speed cameras, namely that they are a source of revenue. Most citizens accept speed cameras as a means to reduce driver speed in designated areas and thereby improve safety. But once their deployment is seen as contributing to the city’s coffers, altruism concerning them is subordinated.

Let us not confuse financial penalties on speeders with taxes for city services. If a speed camera failed to capture even a single speeding driver, that would be reason to celebrate its success rather than bemoan the lack of revenue contribution.

Richard K. Leong, Woodbridge

I’m Canadian and happy to pay taxes for the greater good

Texans don’t like taxes. They prefer to endure disaster and then file lawsuits, July 16

I really appreciated Heather Mallick’s column on Texas and taxes. It recalls what my accountant said to me, “Be happy. If you pay taxes, it means you’re making money.�

Taxes pay for many of the things we enjoy: keeping public beaches and pools clean and safe, paving our roads, helping those in need and funding healthcare and education.

I am glad I pay taxes here. I know the money goes through checks and balances before being spent. I know it is not perfect. But compared to the bureaucracies of other countries our governments operate effectively. Our standard of living is higher than that of the U.S.

Taxes are often low in countries that are right-leaning. In such nations, only the super-rich can afford good health care, good education for their kids and a comfortable way of life. The powerful see no need for social safety nets so the needy, the sick and the unfortunate are on their own.

Even though I’m on a pension, I am happy to pay my share here in Canada.

Gail Rutherford, Etobicoke

Doug Ford’s evisceration of Ontario’s education system must stop

Ontario to revamp college and university funding as early as next spring — and lifting tuition freeze may be on table, July 17

Sadly, this sounds like just more hot air and evasion from the Doug Ford government. We know the root cause of the crisis facing Ontario’s colleges: chronic underfunding on the part of the provincial government.

We don’t need more ‘working groups’ and we can’t afford to wait until next spring. Raising student tuition isn’t the answer. What’s needed is an immediate injection of funding to stop the cuts and layoffs. Our provincial government needs to properly fund the education system.

When it comes to post-secondary education funding, Ontario ranks last among all the provinces, and it’s not even close. Per-student funding to Ontario colleges sits at just 56 per cent of the national average. If this weren’t bad enough, the Ford government just cut another $1.3 billion to the sector in its recent budget.

Enough is enough: the time to act is now.

Jeff Brown, ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½

Canada needs stronger leadership when it comes to renewable energies

Wildfire, tornado researchers look for answers in Jasper’s charred forest, July 21

The record heat waves that produced disasters like that at Lytton, B.C. in 2021, plus the more recent catastrophes in Jasper and Los Angeles and this year’s early forest fire season across the country, must remind us bold action against climate change is urgent.

But climate action is very low on the public agenda. Our new prime minister seems fixed upon more carbon emitting fossil fuel pipelines to cement our independence from Donald Trump’s America.

Yes, we need such independence, but how to build it?

Prime Minister Mark Carney during his campaign spoke of Canada as a “conventional and renewable energy superpower.” So why not put major government subsidies and tax incentives into a national energy corridor of wind, solar, tidal and geo-thermal (already partially existing)?

If the world is to avoid more climate anomalies we need innovative national and international leadership on renewable energy.

Otherwise in coming years we will be hit by even nastier climate surprises.

Harold Wells, Burlington

AI can and will make a profound, helpful difference in many lives

This one thing could affect whether Canadians survive or thrive. Are you ready for the next great political revolution? July 21

I am apparently in the minority in my support of AI. In a short period of time, artificial intelligence has revolutionized access to information for those of us who are visually impaired.

The vast majority of information we all need and use to function in our daily lives comes visually. In 1821 Braille, the equivalent of the Guttenberg Press, arrived for the blind. Since then, techniques and technology have slowly closed the information gap. And now, AI has taken this access to an unprecedented level through real-time description of the immediate surroundings, signs and, for example, labels on pill bottles.

That which has the potential to brings good also can bring bad. The atomic bomb was developed with the sole purpose of death and destruction. Nuclear developments since then, however, have revolutionized medical diagnoses and renewable energy.

We look to our political leaders to understand and control the new and burgeoning resource that is artificial intelligence.

Jim Sanders, Guelph, Ont.

Speak up and silence the voices of hate

Performers pushing hate need to face the music, July 21

Entertainers must be held accountable for both their actions and their words. Too often their sense of entitlement and their popularity make them think they can spew dangerous calls for violence without fear of repercussions. Unfortunately, many of our youth see these individuals as role models and want to emulate their behaviour.

We have hate laws in Canada. Our young citizens must see that these laws are meaningful and enforced by our government, our courts and our police forces. There is no moral dilemma; there can only be zero tolerance for hate-fuelled calls for violence.

The voices that rise up against hatred must be louder than those who incite hate.

Phyllis Levin, ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½

Where’s the outrage over provincial supervision of school boards?

TDSB trustees ordered to turn in phones, computers, July 18

Where is the public outrage over the neutering of public school trustees in four Ontario school boards? This is grossly undemocratic, as the trustees are duly elected officials.

The Minister of Education is overreaching and taking draconian measures.

Where is the Ontario Public School Board Association’s condemnation?

Hopefully this is not the first step to eliminating school trustees altogether.

Joel Hertz, ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½