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Seeing the light on energy
Re Why A Carbon Tax Is Better Than Cap-And-Trade (April 29): A carbon tax is not only better, it is remarkable in its efficiency, both to raise government revenue and, more importantly, to modify behaviour. With the drop in at-the-pump gas prices, suddenly vehicle manufacturers are making and marketing more of the bigger gas guzzlers. Result: a noticeable increase in these vehicles on the road. A carbon tax will be a rude shock but bring it on! We must start rationing our overuse of personal vehicles. What better way than through the price to fill 'er up?
Mary Dixon, Winnipeg
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Re Agency Will Have Sweeping Powers To Overhaul Energy Use (April 28): It sounds good: an Ontario government agency directing the province's buildings to be emissions-free in a sweeping climate-change initiative. Yet it reminds me of that adage: The road to hell is paved with good intentions.
Builders deal with 45 government bodies. Adding another (with unattainable goals) will add costs, making home ownership an impossibility for many people, especially middle-class families and millennials – the forgotten people in this issue. It is tough now: 2014 data studied by the Canadian Centre for Economic Analysis showed 1.2 million Ontario households were under "significant pressure" financially – 60 per cent of that number involves people under the age of 45. That's our economy's future.
Reducing emissions is important. But rather than targeting less than 1 per cent of the province's carbon emissions, we should take a hard look at how initiatives like this one can hurt us all.
Richard Lyall, president, Residential Construction Council of Ontario
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Train brakes: Alarmed in 2016
Re Train Brakes' Role (letter, April 29): Am I the only one to feel surprised and alarmed that in 2016 there is disagreement over the way to apply adequate braking to a train filled with dangerous goods?
John Forster, Kanata, Ont.
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United Church replies
Re Churches Escape Settlement Obligations (April 27): The United Church has not "escaped" or "been let off the hook" for its financial obligations under the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement. The church's obligation was: $4.7-million in cash and in-kind contributions; $1.75-million related to the Catholic fundraising campaign, which the United Church agreed to contribute to, regardless of the success of the campaign; $450,000 if the Catholic fundraising campaign surpassed $20-million.
The Catholic initiative fell short of $20-million, so the United Church's obligation remains $6.45-million. The church met this obligation; no residential school survivor was denied compensation.
Over the past 12 years, the United Church has contributed $1-million annually toward healing and reconciliation initiatives, and increased overall support for aboriginal ministries at a time when the rest of the church has experienced significant reductions. Many of our members participated in the events held by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and we are working actively to respond to its Calls to Action, beginning with the church's adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Nora Sanders, General Secretary, General Council, United Church of Canada
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A general practitioner's worth
Re Dr. Six Million (April 27): A letter writer has no objection to ophthalmologists' earning millions but professes strenuous objection to general practitioners doing so. Not to worry, GPs don't come close to such levels – even though the evidence in the global scientific literature clearly indicates that the single factor most responsible for the best health outcomes of populations is access to family physicians.
Family doctors' training involves 10 to 11 years of university to achieve their specialty standing and licence to practice. Family Medicine today is recognized as one of the most complex of all specialties, demanding expert care of undifferentiated health concerns and ongoing preventive and therapeutic management of patients of all ages throughout their life cycles. Despite the proven benefits of the services of family physicians, current remuneration systems continue to signal disproportionately greater value for the work of other medical specialists.
While the letter writer may or may not have a case in supporting the high earnings of some specialists, the comments regarding the relative lack of value of family doctors are demeaning and off base.
Calvin Gutkin, MD, Mississauga
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No tipping? Very civilized
When we visited New Zealand, we were surprised to discover that the menu prices included all tips and taxes (The Zero Per Cent Solution – Life and Arts, April 27). What you saw is what you paid! When we paid by credit card and the "tip" option popped up, generally the server would quickly reach over and tap "no tip" before we even had a chance to consider it. Restaurants there pay wait staff (and behind-the-scenes staff) a proper salary.
On holidays, menu prices may be subject to a surcharge, as staff are paid more for working a stat (clearly noted on the menu). It made us realize how rude it must seem to New Zealanders visiting here to discover the menu price is far from the "real" price.
Also worth mentioning is that even in some upscale New Zealand restaurants, when you are ready to leave, you simply go to the "host" station to pay your bill and then depart. All very civilized!
Anita Tiessen, Mississauga