Letters to the Editor: May 25, 2024

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Dam lament

Regarding the article 16-year Springbank dam saga nears conclusion (May 21) which says the partial removal of the structure will start in July and be completed by the end of the year.

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Shame on council for depriving Londoners the joy of being on a navigable river from Springbank to the historic fork of the Thames by not repairing the dam.

Lost are those memorable days of canoeing that stretch of river, the dragon boat festivals, the water-skiing, paddle boats, dinner cruises and rowing competitions.

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Shame on council for adopting a questionable excuse related to a questionable environmental mindset.

Seventeen kilometres of river out of 340 kilometres is hardly a reason to deprive citizens of a river that should be celebrated.

It is time to allow Londoners back on the river.

John Eberhard, Middlesex Centre

Diversity has merit

I am writing in response to recent claims made by a Sarnia city councillor regarding the recruitment practices of the Sarnia-Lambton Children’s Aid Society.

The councillor’s assertion that actively seeking qualified individuals from diverse backgrounds constitutes discrimination is not only misguided, but also dangerously undermines our efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of children, youth, and families in our community.

Diversity and inclusion are not only ethical and legal imperatives, but also necessities, particularly in areas like child welfare services. There is a long history of harm done by child welfare agencies towards Black, Indigenous and LGBTQ people.

Overrepresentation of these groups continues to this day. To mitigate the impacts of conscious and unconscious biases, it is necessary we broaden our perspective by bringing on a diverse group of qualified individuals.

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Research consistently demonstrates that diverse teams are more innovative, empathetic, and effective in addressing complex challenges.

By actively recruiting diverse employees, Sarnia-Lambton Children’s Aid Society can better address the unique needs of the children, youth, and families we serve.

Whether it is understanding racism, cultural nuances, language barriers, or historical traumas, a diverse workforce brings invaluable perspectives that enhance our agency’s ability to provide culturally sensitive and responsive services.

Promoting diversity in the workforce also sends a powerful message of inclusion and representation to the children, youth, and families involved with our organization.

When families see professionals who look like them and share similar experiences, it fosters a sense of trust and validation, essential for building positive relationships.

I must also address the misconception that Sarnia-Lambton Children’s Aid Society is recruiting for diversity and not for qualified individuals.

In fact, diversity and qualifications are not mutually exclusive; they are complementary. Only qualified individuals are hired. We have a strong, competent and diverse group of highly qualified staff.

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Diversity and inclusion hiring practices are not discriminatory. They are vital steps toward creating a more equitable and inclusive system of care for children, youth, and families, and ultimately, our community as a whole.

Dawn Flegel, executive director, Sarnia-Lambton Children’s Aid Society

Selfishness at root

In his column, Greenhouse gas targets, where’s the plan? (May 21), Tom Spears presents a detailed description of the dilemma facing the country.

The article raises the question: What will we do?

Our governments, at all levels, seem to have no answer. The answer is too painful for any politician to utter.

We Canadians produce too much carbon.

When our cars get better gas mileage, we drive more.

When the cities widen our streets for safety, we switch from mid-size cars to half-ton pickups.

We think nothing of leaving home in the car to get a cup of coffee when a pot on the stove would take a fraction of the time.

We have permitted our cities to sprawl to the point that our cars become prostheses. Without them, we are imprisoned in our suburbs.

If our leaders wish to lead, they would call out our selfish, wasteful lifestyles and our bloated sprawl for the evil that they are. Do you expect that anytime soon?

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David Nielsen, London

Devout drivers

As I travel around London, I notice there are a lot of very religious people who take every opportunity to bow their head and pray, particularly while waiting for the traffic light to change.

I sure hope it is a book of worship they have in their hands and not a cellphone.

John McKaig, London

Fond memory

Regarding the article The gift that was Alice Munro; 1931-2024 (May 15)

I started reading Alice Munroe’s short stories when I moved from Alberta to Ontario to finish to attend Western University.

I am one of the lucky ones who have fond memories of meeting her. Munro was staying at the nearby Royal Scot Hotel in Victoria, when she learned she had won the Nobel prize in literature for 2013.

I was eating lunch at the Fairmont Empress Hotel on the day the winner’s name was announced. As I walked back to my table, I saw Munro sitting with a few family members at the back of the iconic Bengal Lounge. She was sitting underneath one of the old fans, not far from that old tiger skin mounted high up on the wall.

She was radiant with the news of her most recent and stunning literary honour. I went over to her table to shake her hand. I congratulated her, and informed her I had thoroughly enjoyed her short stories for many years.

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I related how her books were my reward at the end of a long day. She smiled when I described how I would calm my mind with dreams arising from the wondrous images she created with her words.

She told me she had never had anyone tell her that was what her intricate tales could do, for a devoted reader. I shook her hand again and apologized to her family for interrupting them. I did not ruin my memory or her obvious pleasure by asking for her autograph.

Catharine Dewar, Victoria

Tragedy avoidable

Regarding the article Unvaccinated Hamilton child dies after being hospitalized for measles (May 18)

In this country, where all vaccinations are free and available to every responsible parent, this tragedy should never have happened.

It is time to stop this ridiculous theory that life-saving vaccinations will cause harm.

In my opinion, parents who are negligent in protecting their children with vaccinations should be charged with child abuse and failing to provide the necessities of life.

G. Grech, London

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