Grocery boycott will hurt workers
Re: Avoid big grocers this month (May 2)
In regards to Robin Magder and other letter writers urging grocery store boycotts, there is one thing not addressed. Yes, the big grocery stores are making too much money. But what about the employees? As someone who works at one of the grocery stores (non-union), I can tell you that all our employees had hours cut in April because business was slow. For many of us this means needing to find supplemental work to pay bills and expenses. The answer is not boycotting, the answer is urging the owners to put people over profits. The owners’ solutions to making less money will be to cut costs elsewhere, such as employees hours. Write the big companies and demand they value people over profits.
Aha Blume, Hamilton
Loblaw CEO sounds delusional
So Loblaw CEO Per Banks thinks that “Canadians are recognizing that we are providing the combination of value, quality and service that they want.”
Wow, what drugs is he on? I certainly do not think they understand anything other than pure unadulterated greed.
I will not be shopping at any Loblaws properties in the near future. So raise the prices some more to keep up the greed levels on your profit margins.
Laurel Thompson, Hamilton
Obituary has lesson for us
This obituary regarding the ups and downs of John S.M. Cappelli was a write-up of a loving family dealing with schizophrenia — a journey the whole family lived with — and how they tried to help their loved one.
We need to pay attention to this family and the dynamics they all went through to ensure their loved one had a roof over his head, regular wellness checks by the family, etc.
What a perfectly, beautifully written story about a life that fully shows what a mentally challenged, loving, kind, gentle person goes through via the eyes of a loving family.
My heart goes out to this family and surely we can learn from this example of how to treat our challenged neighbours.
Frances Cormier, Stoney Creek
MPs acting like spoiled toddlers
We don’t care who said what. Parliamentarians all are acting like a bunch of spoiled toddlers who can’t control their temper.
Parliament is the seat of Canada’s democracy. You are there only because you were elected to represent the people in your constituencies. To conduct the serious business of Canada at a time when millions of Canadians are hurting.
You are not there to hurl insults no matter what you think about your colleagues. This is the last place in this country where this behaviour should be tolerated.
Stop acting like a bunch of spoiled brats — including the Speaker of the House. Shouting, thumping, name-calling, bobbing your silly heads. You are a bunch of fools. The fact that you represent the people of this country is an embarrassment to all Canadians.
Where do you think you are? If you cannot act within the confines of parliamentary protocol, then step down and get a job where your behaviour doesn’t matter.
You have set a horrible example for the young people of this country. We are saddened to think that we have elected ridiculous people to carry out the serious business of governing our country. Every single one of you should hang your heads in shame.
What you all need is a good scolding from your parents who would surely expect better behaviour and are no doubt ashamed of you. Comparing you to spoiled children, insults children.
We the people of this country have had enough. Cut it out and do your job.
Melinda Montgomery, Hamilton
What does ‘affordable’ mean?
In all conversations about affordable housing, one glaring omission is consistent: price. What is the affordable price? Articles recently say to qualify for a mortgage you need to make approximately $160,000 a year. That is $76 per hour. Let’s talk numbers because this market has been so manipulated that if you’re not a homeowner you never will be. Who cares where they’re built? It’s about price. I’m not proposing wage increases to meet the market, but a real approach/price correction has to happen.
Jeff Campbell, Hamilton
Thanks to hospital staff
Recently my daughter had surgery at St. Joseph’s hospital (day surgery centre). I cannot praise the staff enough. From the admission staff to the nurses and doctors everyone was so helpful, kind and courteous. They explained the procedure to us and answered our questions. I was directed to the waiting room where I was given a card with a number. The number allowed me to track my daughter’s procedure on a computer screen. How helpful. When she was ready to go home, they phoned my other daughter to insure we had a ride.
How lucky we are to have such a wonderful and caring health-care system and everyone with smiles.
Cheryl Arlene Payne, Stoney Creek
