Letters to the Editor: November 16, 2024

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What if it was you?

Regarding the article ‘A-OK … ketchup is no crime‘ (Nov. 13).

I beg to differ. If Tarek Loubani’s home was subjected to this action twice, I believe he would be looking for a remedy through our legal system.

We are fortunate to have the right to protest openly in Canada, but in my opinion, this action is vandalism.

Loubani should be charged with defacing property, found guilty, fined a minimum of $1,000 for flouting the law, and made to clean up, or pay the bill for cleanup.

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Loubani can attempt to hide his actions behind free speech and Charter-protected protest, but this recent act of vandalism says otherwise.

His mindset is dangerous. He needs to be dealt with seriously, through our courts.

Diana Lamb, London

Seems like vandalism

I am upset the mischief charge against Tarek Loubani, for spraying ketchup on the office door of MP Peter Fragiskatos, has been dropped.

While everyone has the freedom of speech and protest, vandalism should not be accepted.

If someone was to do the same to Loubani’s home in protest and tried to use the same excuse Loubani has used, would they get away with it? No, they would not.

So, why should his mischief charge be dropped.

Michael Curtin, London

Field, not bike lanes

Regarding the online article London’s high school football final turfed to St. Thomas: ‘Unfortunate’ (Nov. 11)

How embarrassing the London football final had to be held in St. Thomas, a city about one-tenth the size of London.

Despite the added tax revenue that has filled the city’s coffers due to the recent, rapid growth, the development of social infrastructure has not kept pace. The time for a world-class athletics field with artificial turf and grandstands is long past.

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The money London has spent on bike lanes, used by less than oneA per cent of Londoners, could have constructed a facility that would serve the majority of London’s population and be the pride of Southwestern Ontario.

In the interim, the very least Western could do, as a good neighbour, is to recognize its central location is the most suitable to host the annual high school football final.

John Lisowski, London

Location appropriate

Regarding the online article London’s high school football final turfed to St. Thomas: ‘Unfortunate’ (Nov. 11)

This is actually the Thames Valley Regional Athletics (TVRA) championship which includes schools from outside London, including St. Thomas. So, the fact the championship is being played in a league city should not be shocking.

Paul Miles, London

Unfair comparison

Brian Lilley’s suggestion, in his column Outrage over Gretzky and Trump hypocrisy (Nov. 13) that Justin Trudeau’s behaviour as a young person equals Donald Trump’s behaviour as an adult is outrageous hypocrisy.

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What Trudeau did was wrong; hopefully he has learned from the incidents. Trump, on the other hand, willingly continues to embody everything reprehensible in a human being.

Wayne Gretzky’s support of Trump is cringe-worthy and shameful.

Laurie Kay, London

End contract

Regarding D. Brown’s letter to the editor Hire an operator (Oct. 30) about Canada Life.

I am a retired public servant of 30 years. About 18 months ago, I got the shingles and RSV vaccines. They were quite expensive. After months and many phone calls, I finally wrote to MPP Caroline Mulroney, president of the Treasury Board of Ontario, whose portfolio includes contracting for public servants’ benefits. I also wrote to the president of Canada Life and the chair of the Ontario Pension Board.

I suggested the management board revisit the contract with Canada Life. I suggested the contract must have performance indicators and deliverables such as timely reimbursement of claims. I’m sure there are other companies able to take on this large a contract.

The upshot was a letter from Mulroney’s office advising that someone from her office would call me (which never happened) and a form letter from the Canada Life president asking all of us to be patient as they hire and train new staff.

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D. Brown’s frustration at not being able to talk to a real person for such a simple inquiry demonstrates how much this company takes these contracts for granted and the disrespect for our time as we wait.

S. Clark, Komoka

Novel approach

Regarding the article Non-profit leader speaks out as city mulls community grant cuts (Nov. 12).

Normally, a non-profit CEO approaching city council to retain their grant level, would illustrate what they have accomplished and their plans for the coming budget period.

Walt Lonc, London

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