April 24: Happy to see housing coming, LRT is the key and other letters to the editor

It is certainly pleasing to see that the CityHousing building on Queenston Road will be completed early next year, providing much-needed geared-to-income housing. All this in only 12 years. Amazing what can happen when city hall gets going.

Paul Charles, Hamilton

A new tradition

Re: Contradictions of Doug Ford (April 22)

Whenever a federal budget is presented in Parliament, it’s customary that the finance minister wear a new pair of shoes when doing so, carrying on a tradition that started in 1955, when Walter Edward Harris brought down a new budget during the Louis St. Laurent government.

Considering Doug Ford’s steady barrage of U-turns during his term, the time is ripe for a new Ontario tradition: every time Doug Ford announces a new (or abandons an old) policy initiative in the legislature, he should wear a new type of footwear — casual sandal-like shoes with flat soles held loosely on the feet by straps commonly referred to as toe thongs. They’re called “flip-flops.”

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• Dec 31, 1969

• Dec 31, 1969

Perhaps Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy will have to choose a pair for him because the premier can’t seem to be able to make up his mind since indecision may or may not be a big problem for him.

Stan Nowak, Dundas

LRT is the key

Re: Robotaxis are the future (April 23)

I have been biting my lip in responding to complaints against the LRT, but seeing someone pushing “robotaxis” has gotten me in a replying mood. Self-driving cars are a fantasy, and have been a disaster to every city they’ve been pushed in. Look at Uber, having sold off its self-driving department (a cornerstone to that company ever being profitable enough to make back its bloated valuation) a few years back. The simple answer is it does not work outside of extremely limited bounds, such as on a sectioned-off road or rail. We already surrendered so many of our city streets to cars, do we really want to surrender them even more to self-driving cars? Two tons of steel directed by computer making life or death decisions is not a future we want.

The boring solution of public transport, especially rapid transit, is the way of the future. We should strive to make Hamilton a place without cars, a place where people can get around easily, walk, and be a part of the community. I understand that Metrolinx’s LRT project has had problems between passing off evictions to landlords and seeking private operations, but it is still necessary for the community. A solution to the housing crisis requires means for people in new, dense housing to get around and the LRT is that. No more parking minimums or NIMBYs blocking housing for cars — whether driven by a person or a robot.

Chandler Hull, Hamilton

Focus on housing

Re: Housing, not LRT, a crisis (April 23)

Agreed that our housing problem is indeed a crisis, and our transportation needs are not. Yet the city of Hamilton is going ahead with LRT and the funding that goes along with it. I find it unimaginable that the unhoused are being ignored yet again for something that we already have in place, the HSR. And to add insult to injury, we have our major thoroughfares being turned into two-way streets.

Linda Ferrie, Waterdown

We aren’t broken

Re: Stop the fearmongering. Stop the childishness (April 23)

Cheers to Steve Buist. His message that we are “not broken” is bang on! Canadians need to keep hearing this. Please keep telling this message over and over until people understand. Before it is really too late and we have nothing. Before our beautiful Canada does fall into the wrong hands and we do break. Permanently.

Roslyn Ulman, Caledonia

Thanks for the coverage

Just an “atta boy” once again to your investigative and local issues reporters. Local issues consistently get our attention in thoughtful very well written articles every week.

It is my sincere wish that our politicians read these informative articles on a daily basis.

Most of the letters to the editor are also well written and bring thoughtful information to the attention of our community. Even if I do not agree with all of them, I am happy to live in a country where everyone is entitled to their own opinions.

Keep up the good work with your awarding-winning reporters of the Spectator.

Laurel Thompson, Hamilton