Letters to the editor, May 31: ‘There might well be a new leadership option for Conservative supporters who find themselves dispirited by floor-crossing … and overheated rhetoric’

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Leadership qualities

Re “Caroline Mulroney to resign from Doug Ford’s cabinet and Ontario Legislature” (May 25): Caroline Mulroney’s departure from provincial politics includes an intriguing excerpt. The MPP said: “The people I have worked alongside, including more than a few friends on the opposition benches, have made me a better person.”

Commentary on the current state of the federal Conservative Party often includes reference to there being no clear leadership replacement in sight. Until now, perhaps.

Not only does Ms. Mulroney distribute credit for her achievement, but she acknowledges the importance (even value) of those of a different political stripe. The gesture is collaborative, even conciliatory, which is quite different from what one customarily associates with the Conservatives these days.

There might well be a new leadership option for Conservative supporters who find themselves dispirited by floor-crossing, endless rancour, rhyming jingles and overheated rhetoric.

Dale Churchward Toronto

ROI

Re “Prime Minister shouldn’t live on Rideau Hall grounds, outgoing Governor-General says” (May 23): All recent governors-general, despite being distinguished individuals, have had some deficiency that garners a parting critique, be it poor French ability or lavish spending. No one at the helm is perfect.

The focus on personal traits crowds out the most important issue: the nebulous job description. Beyond essential constitutional duties, are the ceremonial duties well circumscribed and good value for taxpayer money?

In these times of government fiscal austerity, are the lifetime perks ($150,000 annual pension and $206,040 annual expenses following departure from the role) still justifiable?

These should be the real topics for discussion.

Neil Rau Toronto

Seed money

Re “Vancouver company gets $1-million to test anti-wildfire cloud-seeding technology in B.C.” (May 8): It’s exciting to think that disarming thunderstorms could be as simple as launching a few handfuls of aluminized ash into the sky. As noted, the science isn’t new and cloud-ionization systems are becoming a commercial reality.

Nonetheless, it’s important that companies with novel technologies or delivery systems identify risks and offer transparency, particularly where public funding is involved. Nobody wants a surprise case of atmospheric whack-a-mole, where a storm suppressed here pops up even bigger over there.

That’s one reason that companies undertaking weather modification in Canada must meet obligations under the Weather Modification Information Act to detail the location, materials used and duration of seeding activities, allowing public scrutiny.

Membership in the Weather Modification Association, a non-profit representing university, government and private sector participants, also aids in transparency and provides peer review opportunities. I would encourage Skyward Wildfire to apply.

Daryl O’Dowd Trustee, Weather Modification Association; consulting meteorologist; Calgary

Car karma

Re “We spend too much energy on disrespectful drivers. Let them” (Online, May 15): Some years ago, I was approaching the Lion’s Gate Bridge in Vancouver. All the lanes were full, but moving slowly. Suddenly a red BMW came racing down the empty lane that led to Stanley Park, intending to cut into the bridge lanes.

Alas for the miscreant, the Vancouver Police Department, bless ‘em, had stationed a black-and-white at that exact spot, and the officer had a radar gun. The BMW driver was hit with a speeding ticket, plus a driving infraction costing demerit points.

What really sticks in my mind was the reaction of myself and my fellow law-abiding drivers as we passed the BMW. Horns tooting, windows rolled down for shouted thanks to the officer and profane insults to the driver: This was not just schadenfreude, it was a spontaneous group celebration of long-delayed justice.

The young officer writing out the tickets had a smile the size of the moon.

Bill Atkinson Toronto

Loud and clear

Re “Let’s not surrender to the wall of noise” (May 23): I live at Parkside Drive and Bloor Street West, which must be among Toronto’s worst offenders for the sheer decibel level of continuous, stressful traffic noise.

I live in a retirement residence. Nearby is an elementary school. All the way south to Lake Shore Boulevard West, there are homes on one side of Parkside and High Park on the other.

Sounds idyllic, doesn’t it? Although this is a residential area, you would never know it from the traffic noise.

I can’t sit on my balcony and read a book or have a conversation because traffic noise is a constant, unwelcome presence. I might as well be living beside Highway 401.

I invite Doug Ford to sit with me on my balcony and tell me why city life is supposed to include the stress of speeding drivers, loud exhaust and incessant honking. But I doubt I could hear his answer.

Karin Treff Toronto

While I am sure it is bad in Toronto, it is not the only jurisdiction that suffers with this problem.

Here around our lovely little city of Peterborough, we have entered the season when motorcycles with loud pipes and cars modified to purposely backfire come out to drive around and pollute the area with noise.

Concerned citizens should write their MPPs and municipal politicians and tell them how they feel. The No More Noise advocacy group is Toronto-focused, but if Toronto moves on this, maybe other cities will, too.

Finally, if people see excessively noisy vehicles, then record the licence plate numbers and report them to the police. They respond to citizen complaints.

Geoffrey Daw Selwyn, Ont.

Especially in summer, many Toronto residents are disturbed by late-night racing and loud vehicles on our highways and arterial roads. A few obnoxious drivers routinely ruin the sleep of hundreds of thousands.

Which is why the World Health Organization identifies noise pollution as the second-largest urban health risk in Europe after air pollution.

This is fixable. Toronto City Council recently voted 21-1 to request that Ontario permit a noise-activated camera pilot project. Following successful models in New York and Melbourne, this technology-driven enforcement can become crucial to upholding existing bylaws and the Highway Traffic Act.

The community demand is clear: 700-plus e-mails were sent by residents disturbed by street level noise day and night. It’s time to listen to them.

Ingrid Buday Founder and executive director, No More Noise; Toronto

It’s not just motorcycles and muscle cars making the noise.

Anyone who has ever stood on a city sidewalk while a fire engine roars by knows how unnecessarily loud its siren can be. Yes, the truck is full of first responders responding, but I’m guessing it would get to its destination just as quickly with a fewer decibels.

T.M. Dickey Toronto

Don’t forget that other sign of warmer weather: The whine of the Sea-Doo, disturbing the tranquility of beaches.

Geoff Stagg Comox, B.C.

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