The minimum wage hike has people talking, as does city council, the idea of free public transit and the fighter jet deal. Got thoughts? Write to us at: letters@ottawacitizen.com
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Let’s pay Canadians a fair wage
Re: Public see red over blaming wage hike for demise of Tomato, Dec. 13.
When I read the moaning from the business community over the increase in the minimum wage, I cannot help but think that they are missing the point of this long overdue adjustment. It is not about the bottom line for businesses, it is about paying people something approaching a liveable wage.
When we buy a cup of Fair Trade coffee, we pat ourselves on the back for supporting the agricultural underclass in some far-off country by paying it a fair price for its product. How about supporting our Canadian underclass by paying a bit more for your next coffee at Tim Hortons or your next purchase at Walmart?
Canada is a rich country. It is long past time that we began to share the wealth more equally. The increase in the minimum wage is a very small step in the right direction.
Gerald A. Dust, Navan
Council is not a schoolyard
Re: Unexpected $10M smoothes passage of 2018 city budget, Dec. 14.
That Mayor Jim Watson, in a fit of pique, would withhold information provided by the city treasurer from those councillors who would question him, while providing it earlier to his supporters, is so grade-school.
Did he chant “Nya, nya, nya, nya, nya,” to the “bad guys” before or after he left the schoolyard?
Brian Caines, Ottawa
Free transit frees us all
Re: Letter, Do away with public transit fares, Dec. 13.
Consider these benefits to free urban public transit. With fewer cars on the road, there will be reduced costs in the areas of auto insurance, medical care, policing and the courts. Fewer cars will mean less fuel use, less pollution, and reduced demand for additional roads.
Free urban transit will mean many two-car families can go to one car, and some to no car, saving in the region of $9,000 per year per car (source: CAA). As the letter-writer says, free urban transit will be a tourist draw. Inveterate car users will complain about paying for something they don’t use, but their reward will be less traffic congestion.
Michael W. Hewes, Chelsea
CBC helps make us Canadian
Re: CBC’s idea of a level playing field, Dec. 8.
When I arrived in Canada in December 1974, my aunt and uncle listened to CBC radio in the early morning. I woke up to it and got used to listening to folks such as Peter Gzowski and Stuart McLean. In the evenings, we listened to the news delivered by folks such as Peter Mansfield on TV. That is how we “became” Canadian. Not just by applying to Citizenship and Immigration Canada and getting the piece of paper.
I continue to wake up to CBC Radio and stay up for the news at night.
Recently, I noticed that my Ottawa cab driver was listening to a program on CBC radio. I was happy to listen along with him. As I got out of the cab, I thanked him for playing CBC, then looked him in the eye and said that it says so much about him. He looked a little surprised, perhaps not knowing exactly what I meant.
For me, it meant that he, an immigrant, and hopefully his family, were putting in the effort to really become Canadian and listening to quality programming. How else can immigrant adults learn about Canada while they are busy trying to establish themselves in a new country?
Long live CBC!
Ingrid De Alwis, Bells Corners
Don’t repeat the used submarine fiasco
Re: Fighter jet mess reeks of politics, deceit and cowboy economics, Dec. 13.
The defence of our country is a major responsibility of government. To procure new equipment for this, the only valid criterion is to obtain the finest operational performance available. This, and the necessity for effective interoperability with the United States and our NATO allies, defines the F-35.
The acquisition of used F-18s, obsolescent like our own, is strikingly reminiscent of the second-hand British submarine scandal of recent memory. (Those vessels, bought cheaply, developed huge problems).
To expose Canadian Air Force pilots to risk, in inferior aircraft, is criminally irresponsible.
P.F. Kelly (FL/RCAF retd), Ottawa
