(Jed Tallo/GazetteStaff)
Re: Unite the Left (News, February 5). I think that Cooperate for Canada is worth supporting. With time, lots of conversations, and a genuine commitment for our votes to better reflect our values and beliefs, party leaders may decide to put the province or even the country over their parties. This is the goal of C4C.
Ideally the federal government (and provincial) will implement some kind of Proportional Representation … some time.
Until that time and until the three left-leaning parties decide to cooperate, I encourage everyone who doesn’t vote Conservative to vote strategically, this time. Visit smartvoting.ca to find which party in our riding came closest to the Conservative candidate and cast your vote there.
The results across the province will likely still lead to a Conservative government , but there is a very good chance that it will not be a majority. Our most productive governments have been minorities.
Doug Ford must be held accountable. Even if you always vote Conservative, do you not want to bring him to task about the huge list of scandals: the Greenbelt; Ontario Place; Service Ont/Staples; the Science Centre, to name only a few. Don’t forget underfunding of education, health care, and housing, and the lack of care for our environment and the climate crisis — excessive use of MZOs, a possible Hwy 413 over wetlands, and cancelling green energy projects.
I struggle every time I decide to vote strategically rather than with my heart, but when I do, I’m happy with the outcome. Think about it. Most importantly, VOTE.
Penny Morris, Picton
As we are seeing south of the border, knowing who you are voting for is of utmost importance.
Seeing Donald Trump’s total abuse of the public’s trust is shocking. Since Ontario is in the midst of a sudden and self-serving election, I’m wondering, is the public here really voting for the best person with the best policies? Do we pay any attention to basic information, or do we vote for the same party we have always voted for just because it is easier than thinking? I am convinced that most Americans who voted for Donald Trump four years ago, voted for him again simply because it was easier than recognizing they made a mistake the first time. Despite his being a convicted felon, they voted for the idiot again!
Hopefully, the sideshow that Canadians are now witnessing in the US will make us more aware of who and of what policies we are voting for. Even with stay-at-home computer voting, most people still don’t vote – lazy or what? Asking most people to explain the differences between the parties and their policies – sadly, all too often you get a blank stare. The most important benefit of Trump’s tariff and annexation threats is that Canadians are standing strong, showing their true grit, and telling Trump very clearly to get stuffed! It is a proud Canadian moment for sure, which hopefully will result in more people voting in the upcoming elections.
Here in Ontario, we have been pushed into an early election despite legislation that was to protect all of us from such a thing. The excuses given for the timing don’t add up.
In Picton, the provincial government is really trying to hoodwink us. They think a lowball payment of $20 million for the reconstruction of Hwy 49 will buy them votes — when the real cost is $53 million!
There are other important issues facing Ontario voters that our government wants us to forget about – the underfunding of healthcare and education, the lack of affordable housing, unemployment, food insecurity, the selling off of Ontario Place and the Science Centre, the lack of environmental protections (like the Picton Terminals), the MZOs, and the attempted sale of the Green Belt.
Despite the rhetoric, this Provincial Election is not only about Donald Trump and tariffs, nor is it about Captain Canada who promises not to sell off Canada, when we know he has already started. Despite knowing that Trump was a convicted rapist and felon, our Premier said that he supported the re-election of Donald Trump 100%!! I suppose this is what we can expect from a high school drug pusher who becomes our premier. See what can happen when you don’t know who you are supporting and why?
It is time for the public to be heard. Vote wisely!
Dennis Fox, Northport
I have noticed the growing movement to buy Canadian. We are unifying as a nation under threat from the U.S.
I went shopping at a supermarket in town and was surprised by how much Canadian fresh produce was available along with produce from countries like Belgium, Mexico, Colombia, and more. Generally, fish, chicken, beef, pork, bacon, eggs, pastas, soups, dairy, tissues and more are also Canadian.
It was time consuming to check the country of origin on each item. Many people elsewhere have noticed that their supermarket is putting tags on Canadian goods to highlight Canadian origin.
Perhaps the supermarkets in towns here in PEC would like to help in identifying Canadian goods with a maple leaf or flag tag.
Barbara Dahlman, Picton
I want to acknowledge two good pieces in the Gazette last week (January 29). Jason Parks’s editorial, On the Sidelines, about Council representation, was very well thought out and expressed. It sensibly and rationally described our County’s municipal council requirements and challenges.
Secondly I greatly appreciated Karen Valihora’s story regarding the proposed Cold Creek development, Protecting Waring’s Creek (News). Her format was excellent and the content provided by the respondents was helpful in its detail and clarity. Thanks for those.
Gary Westoll, Picton
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