Letters to the Editor – Friday, July 9 – Sherwood Park News

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The further we go out into the future . . . the more we see the influence of the choices that we make today. K. Hayhoe, climate scientist

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The extreme heat were suffering through is not just a single, exceptional weather event. This is our new reality. Across the West, temperature records have been smashed, lives have been lost, utilities stretched to the limit, and the livelihoods of people, farmers in particular, who are dependent on the weather, are at risk.

In February 2020, provincial government released the report, Albertas Climate Future, which was prepared by climate scientists, that shows our province is warming faster than other parts of the world. It stated; Projected changes will profoundly impact Albertas natural environment, and have the potential to affect agriculture, infrastructure, and natural resources, as well as the health and welfare of Albertans.

Is the dire situation, predicted in this report, and which were now experiencing, finally enough to change the minds of those Strathcona County councillors who have willingly supported the destruction of prime farmland and natural areas? Areas that will become more precious as severe heat becomes the norm.

Council cannot continue to operate in a vacuum, deaf to the greater climate crisis. Attitudes like those voiced by Ward 4 Coun. Bill Tonita who claims theres lots of land out here so destroying prime farmland is of little consequence is just not acceptable. Even more outrageous was his bizarre suggestion that a huge development like Bremner will somehow minimize our impact on the environment. New developments, including Cambrian, will tax limited resources even further.

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Its long past time for Strathcona County council to start thinking on a much larger scale, to recognize that we are all part of something bigger. Councillors are elected to act as stewards, responsible for protecting the interests of Strathcona County residents. That duty of stewardship extends to protecting the countys valuable natural resources and proving that we are part of the solution, not part of the problem.

Since these questions cannot be asked in council chambers, Ill ask councillors here:

How do you justify supporting the destruction of farmland and natural areas and putting water sources at risk? Do you believe that Strathcona County can operate in isolation and ignore its global responsibility to protect the rare resources we are so fortunate to have in this county? Are you willing to gamble with the futures of our children and grandchildren? Are you willing to be remembered as someone who ignored science and squandered what is irreplaceable when you might have made the right choice instead? And are you willing to gamble that voters will agree with you?

Lois Gordon, Bremner

I appreciate Braids overview of Albertas financial situation and how it poses some headwinds for Jason Kenny as he prepares for the next election while grappling with various political problems.

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I would suggest, however, that the greatest impediment for Kenny to win the next election, is himself.

There are multiple reasons why Kenny has the lowest approval rating of all the premiers in Canada, most of which lead back to his actions.

A time of crisis usually lays bare a leaders motivation and competency. Kennys lack of transparency on the issue of the environment and coal mining; questionable tactics involving agreements with our doctors who were risking their lives during the height of the pandemic; and of course, the double standards regarding social gatherings and travel exhibited by those who drafted the restrictions, all are part of a pattern that strikes me as self-serving and high handed.

As a citizen of Alberta, the provinces fiscal situation is not my greatest concern, it is whether I trust the Premier to act in the best interest of all of us, and not just those in office.

Douglas Campbell, Sherwood Park

To local MP Garnett Genuis,

In your latest mail-out, your three defining issues to confront include, and I quote, in part: There have been more attacks on Canadas freedom of speech in the last three years.

As a recent resident of your constituency (previously from BC), the only other party I have ever heard utter this same complaint is the Christian Heritage Party (CHP), led by Rod Taylor, who resided in the same town as us, Smithers BC. Coincidently, their main platforms are very similar to yours. That is, the family as defined in traditional terms (male and female) which excludes same-sex marriages, extreme financial restraint, a shyness for social programs, and an abhorrence of homosexuality, to name a few.

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But back to the matter of free speech. Im a senior who has enjoyed a life-long environment of democracy in this country. I know of no other country that has a level of permissiveness when it comes to expressing ones ideas. Yes, there have been times when some people have crossed this line, most notable in my mind being the Holocaust denier James Keegstra, coincidently also from Alberta.

What puzzles me, then, if freedom of speech in Canada is one of your three main concerns as our MP, specifically to what topic or subject do you feel that people are being muzzled? Because, I cant think of anything that as a member of parliament or anyone else, for that matter, that you couldnt say in public or in parliament.

And MP Genuis, as I said previously, please be very specific in your examples because other than outright slander, lies or demeaning a particular group of people or nationality of people, I cant think of anything where I feel more freedom of speech is required in this country.

Brian Burrill, Sherwood Park

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Letters to the Editor - Friday, July 9 - Sherwood Park News