Letters to the editor, Oct. 17, 2026

KINDNESS OF OTHERS

I think it’s important that the leaders of both the provincial and federal governments make a statement to municipal voters and politicians, that election campaign promises made for new programs that can only be financed by going to the provincial and/or federal government(s) for the money should not be made. Failure to make this clear looks like an implied endorsement of such a promise. Mayor Chow has made the campaign promise to start a school lunch program by going to the provincial government to ask for the money. Both higher levels of government already provide direct and indirect funding to the municipalities for services within these communities (transportation, healthcare, education, daycare, etc.) and are being asked to increase funding for these existing services. Both of these higher levels of government are already carrying a heavy debt load that requires significant interest payments. As most of such promises come from Toronto politicians, it’s no wonder so many people living in other municipalities of our province hate our city. Without a Toronto property tax hike, there is only one taxpayer to foot the bill for this promise and that’s everyone in the province.
Paul Maginn
Toronto

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(It’s exactly what Chow plans to do to pay for her whimsical promises is to raise taxes. As for the other levels of government paying while their cupboards are bare too)

YOU CAN HAVE IT

Refineries are very expensive to build and it seems nobody wants one in their community. The problem is compounded by all the safety and environmental hoops a refinery builder has to go through to build a new one today. However, if you believe refining more oil in Canada is the solution to high gas prices, why not build a refinery in Orangeville? I’m sure your neighbours won’t object to the noise, pollution and safety risks associated with a refinery. There is a reason there hasn’t been a major new refinery built in Ontario in almost 50 years.

Steen I. Petersen
Nanaimo, B.C.

(No one is suggesting it should just go anywhere, it has to go where it makes most economic and environmental sense)

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