Letters to the Editor: June 12, 2024

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Manage city growth

Re: London needs 100K new homes over the next 25 years. Is that even possible? (June 7).

London became a city in 1855 and in the ensuing 169 years, it accumulated 170,000 dwelling units.

Many will argue that our roads, bridges and underground infrastructure have not caught up with that growth.

Now, in the coming 25 years, we are going to add 100,000 dwelling units? Many say development does not substantially pay for growth.

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If that’s the case, Londoners will be shouldering the cost of roads, bridges, underground stuff, police, fire, transit, garbage dumps and a bigger city hall operation. The list could go on.

It’s going to take a city council that will allow growth only if the services are in place. Let the games begin.

Walt Lonc, London

Health, not beer

Premier Doug Ford has shown Ontarians, once again, that alcohol is more important than our health and well-being.

He has no problem in spending over $225 million of our money to get beer and other alcohol into stores a year earlier than planned, which no doubt will increase addiction problems, underage drinking, DUIs, car accidents and so much more.

Then he turns around and pulls the plug on the Ontario Wastewater Surveillance program, which supplies critical information on not only COVID-19, but other infectious disease threats such as H5N1 bird flu, RSV, influenza, etc. Public health officials have come to rely on the data supplied by this program.

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It should be noted that the province-wide levels of the COVID virus are presently showing to be slightly higher than this time last year.

The wastewater surveillance program was budgeted for $10.8 million in 2024-25.

It’s all about priorities and it’s no secret where Doug Ford’s priorities have always been.

Janie Rother, London

Feed students first

Re: Lack of food driving students to stay home from school: Board officials (June 4).

Something doesn’t add up. Thames Valley District school board is facing a large increase in student population and yet they claim lack of food is driving many students to stay home.

If this is the situation, then the board, the city of London and province of Ontario need to step up and provide a healthy breakfast and lunch for all hungry students, regardless of their family income, period. We feed the homeless daily and yet we can’t feed students in need. Are you kidding me?

Doesn’t the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan have net assets of over $247.5 billion? Perhaps they should be funding a healthy food program in Ontario schools.

What about the large grocery chains reaping huge financial rewards? Shouldn’t they spearhead a program to provide healthy food for students in Canadian schools?

If Canada can afford to send military weapons and food to other countries, it should feed our young students first.

Freddie Ashkanase, London

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