ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½

Most of us know the idea of tunnelling below Hwy. 401 is nothing more than an expensive dream that will never come to fruition.

I suspect the proponents of the original dream will dust off their 2021 proposals, add a few embellishments and be paid a substantial amount of taxpayer money for their hard work.

If Premier Doug Ford is sincere about his determination to relieve gridlock, he could do the following: Build the transitway that was promised, approved and included in the Environmental Assessment on Hwy. 407. It has been planned and transit stations have been considered. It was originally planned that it would be bus rapid transit and progress to dedicated rail transit. Since more years than anticipated have passed, it might be prudent to advance to the dedicated rail transit immediately.

He could also remove the choke points on Steeles Avenue between the York/Durham boundary and Markham Road; this would allow bus rapid transit in the Taunton/Steeles corridor. Likewise, additional lanes on Hwy. 7 between Reesor Road and Brock Road would facilitate public transit.

These are just the solutions I see to ease congestion where I live. I am certain others would have solutions where they live that are feasible, have more impact and cost substantially less than studying multiple tunnels under the 401.

I urge Doug Ford to abandon his tunnel vision and spend taxpayer money on real solutions that can be implemented in our lifetime.

Marion Thomas, Pickering

When shopping, do your research. Buying Canadian matters

Mistakes happen, but consumers have good reason to be outraged when U.S. produce is presented under a Canadian flag, Aug. 6

After reading Jennifer Cole’s article I decided to examine the items in my grocery cart more thoroughly. My bottle of French’s mustard had a bright red maple leaf on the front accompanied by the words “100% Canadian mustard seeds.�

However, on the back it stated it is imported by McCormick Canada but does not say from where. A little research revealed it is, in fact, imported from the U.S. Although the labelling was not inaccurate it was incomplete and therefore misleading. How many other products have I mistakenly bought because the label led me to believe it was all Canadian? For various reasons, there are many countries whose food products I wish to avoid, but it is impossible to shop with any confidence when it comes to sourcing.

I guess I will just have to fact check every item in my cart and then support those that are 100 per cent Canadian, even if they cost more. It will be money well spent.

Carol Caulderwood, Simcoe, Ont.

When it comes to wasting taxpayer dollars, Ford is a master

We should all be demanding to find out what’s driving Doug Ford’s tunnel dreams, Aug. 7

What John Lorinc doesn’t mention in his brilliant piece on Ford’s 401 tunnel boondoggle is that the premier has already thrown away $3 billion giving $200 cheques to all Ontarians, $1.1 billion cancelling licence plate fees and $225 million to pay off the Beer Stores for expanding alcohol sales to convenience stores.

Meanwhile, people in Ontario’s emergency rooms wait many hours to see a doctor, schools are crying out for funds and there is a desperate unfilled need for additional public transport.

Ford’s motto should be, “Everything for cars. For the public at large, a spa and a parking garage on the waterfront.”

Harvey Simmons, ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½

Traffic misery and poorly planned roads show ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ has lost its way

How does an allegedly world-class city get its traffic so catastrophically wrong?

ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½â€™s roads, like its parks, are public spaces.

Yet they’re being turned into political mazes that favour voting blocs rather than the public good. From the absurd nimbyism of Palmerston Boulevard to the gridlock tests on Harbord and Bathurst streets, Eglinton Avenue and Allen Road, public infrastructure is being hijacked by ideology instead of logic or need.

Emergency vehicles, on which everyone might one day depend, now crawl through chaos, delayed by design. Seniors and families struggle. Small businesses suffer. And for what? For corridors reconfigured without real consultation under the illusion of progress. No mayor, councillor, committee or neighbourhood group has the right to control what belongs to all of us. These are not private lanes. They are public roads, funded by everyone and meant to serve all.

ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ is not a playground for vanity projects and ideological experiments disguised as visions. It’s a city with countless moving parts, and it’s time all our leaders remembered that.

Stop compromising the city’s circulatory system for political vanity. Restore balance, restore access and return our roads to the people who paid for them.

Djanka Gajdel, ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½

Our premier has no right to complain about Mike Harris

Doug Ford’s plan to sell off chunks of this popular beach threatens something we should hold dear, Aug. 4

After allowing a private enterprise to take over the old Ontario Place and after trying to give some private enterprises the right to build on protected land, now our premier is trying to sell a part of Wasaga Beach to private interests.

With all that in mind, I think our Doug Ford has lost the right to complain about former premier Mike Harris selling the 407 to a private consortium.

Doug Ford has just followed the lead of one of his predecessors.

Robert Giard, Oshawa

Hey Doug, how about letting Carney lead?

Doug Ford tells CNN Donald Trump ‘wants to hurt the American people’ with his tariffs, Aug. 7

Can someone please inform Premier Doug Ford he is not the prime minister nor is this the time for him to be relentlessly campaigning for the job?

His Captain Canada routine is just distracting and divisive. Ford is undermining Prime Minister Mark Carney’s thoughtful and measured response to President Donald Trump’s bluster.

The Ontario premier’s sputtering grandstanding is just so much noise compared to Carney’s far superior education, experience and expertise. Ford needs to sit down and let the country’s leader lead.

Actually, Ford has more in common with Trump than with Canadian ideals. The only thing he is actually championing are the wealthy business tycoons.

Let Carney do his job.

I, for one, support whatever the prime minister plans to do.

Sandra Bolyki, St. Catharines, Ont.