Today’s letters: Canada’s military must cultivate public pride

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Why does DND neglect ways to showcase the military?

Re: Rituals can help Canada boost military recruitment, April 8.

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It appears that senior federal government and Department of National Defence mandarins have forgotten the importance and popularity of public events as they wrestle with trying to reverse the current recruiting problem. Not only do the National Sentry Program and the Changing of the Guard in Ottawa showcase the military, but they also help bring out of the shadows a well-trained and professional force that appears to only make the news over leadership scandals or when called on to fight forest fires.

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There are other annual events in Ottawa that also help raise the profile of the military but seem also to be neglected by DND. The Army Run held at Cartier Square in the fall is hugely popular not only with runners but with the public, who are not only interested in learning more about the army but are also keen to experience first-hand the weapons and equipment and hear about their capabilities from the people who use them. Yet for whatever reason, this event has now become more focused on the run, and less on the army, with substantially fewer vehicles and weapons systems on display.

The same can be said about the Canadian Tulip Festival, an event anchored in the liberation of the Netherlands by the 1st Canadian Army during the Second World War, and the birth of Princess Margriet of the Netherlands in Ottawa while the Dutch Royal family was seeking shelter from the Nazis.

Whereas the Tulip Festival does stalwart work in hosting a world-class event each year, it outwardly appears to get limited support from DND. The festival last year marked the centennial of the Royal Canadian Navy Reserves with an exciting roster of naval-themed events and this year is focusing on the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) as a distinct military element. Yet, who in Ottawa, other than anyone already associated with the RCAF, even knows about this major milestone? In any other country this anniversary would be well publicized.

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The same can be said for D-Day, the Allied invasion of Normandy France in June 1944: Does anyone know that the 80th anniversary is on June 6?

If the military won’t foster ceremonial, sporting and historical events that highlight its  capabilities and achievements to the public, then naturally it will be difficult to attract new recruits.

Ed Storey, Nepean

Trudeau’s promised military support will evaporate

Re: Liberal government defence policy boosts military spending, commits to new purchases of helicopters, missiles, aircraft, April 8.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s talk of any increased financial support for our military is as transitory as the Citizen’s editorial cartoon of the snowman that appeared April 10. If re-elected, his supposed support will disappear quicker than the snowman sentry in spring.

Al Jones, Major (ret’d), Almonte

One way Britain can stop the Russians

As the saying goes, “Never trust a used-submarine salesperson.”

Canada bought four subs from our friend and ally Britain about 30
years ago. Two subs were never able to go into the sea. And in four years, the other two were in the water only 214 out of 1,460 days! That is only 15 per cent of possible usage. We were duped.

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We should encourage Britain to sell its used war machines to Russia. Then the world would be safer.

Peter Fedirchuk, Kanata

So much for alliance of the Five Eyes

Re: Five big takeaways from Justin Trudeau’s testimony about foreign interference, April 10.

The  incredible incompetence shown by CSIS and the government regarding Chinese interference in Canadian elections has no doubt raised much concern among Canada’s intelligence partners, the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.

It looks like the Five Eyes Intelligence Alliance is really only four-and-a-half.

Charles Morton, Manotick

Carbon tax is better than the alternative

In response to Conservative politicians who claim to be more in touch with real Canadians than environmental experts are, I am waiting to see Liberal ads featuring real Canadians whose lives have been brutally impacted by floods, wildfires, extreme heat and other climate-change events.

The cost of the carbon tax will be revealed as insignificant compared to loss of life, homes, property, habitat and businesses if we do nothing to fight climate change.

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Violet Brown, Brockville

How we treat animals says a great deal about us

Re: Will Ottawa take a humane approach to urban wildlife? We’re skeptical, April 10.

So the City of Ottawa kills 150 beavers each year — the symbol on the Canadian five-cent coin; rids the city of coyotes in an inhumane way; and kills young bears that are harming no one.

We are at least as likely, based on recent events in Canada, to be attacked, maimed or killed by a neighbour’s domesticated pet dog as by a wild animal.

Humans seem to be obsessed with progress in all its forms, but in achieving it, we are becoming less human.

Bill Reid, Ottawa

Rethink motorcycle fundraiser on prostate cancer

The Ottawa Motorcycle Ride for Dad annual smog-fest and eardrum-shattering event will result in 180,000 motorcycle-kilometres of needless pollution, noise, expense and traffic. Motorcycles (even new ones) belch far more pollution than automobiles — up to five times as much per kilometre as an SUV. Not to mention the racket that 1,800 bikes make.

The Ride’s objective is to raise awareness of prostate cancer — not a trivial condition. A visit to a doctor would be useful, but PSA tests can be inaccurate and a positive test is not a death sentence.

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Is the best way to memorialize Dad or support the cause to blow off $20 or more for gas, pollute the air and generate a continuous racket? Why not send the money wasted to the Prostate Cancer Fight Foundation instead? The money from Ottawa alone would do far more good if directed towards research than “rides.” The Prostate Cancer Foundation should seriously take a look at its involvement in this pointless and annoying waste of resources.

Evan Browne, Ottawa

Post-COVID, we can’t turn back the clock downtown

Re: Doug Ford wants federal workers back in the office. What happens if they don’t return? April 6.

Good question, but the answer is not to turn back the clock. It’s nice to see Premier Doug Ford recognizing that Ottawa exists, if only to wag his well-exercised finger to prompt the federal government to bring workers back downtown for a reason that has nothing to do with their work.

As Prof. Ian Lee points out, the shift to working at home is permanent. Former downtown workers will still need food for lunch, but will purchase it locally, so, except perhaps for transit, there is no economic loss overall.

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If Ford had been premier in 1900, he would have been urging Prime Minister Wilfrid Laurier not to buy any of those horseless carriages, so as not to put wheelwrights out of work. Reversion to an obsolete practice is never a solution.

John Edmond, Ottawa

Our downtown problem won’t get better

I have an acquaintance who is a federal public servant. Under his post-COVID agreement, he has to show up at his office five days a month. The choice of days is his. The rest of the month, he works at home.

It’s the main reason the downtown core of Ottawa is languishing, and it seriously affects numerous businesses. Many people no longer even wish to visit The ByWard Market as in their opinion it is now not a safe or pleasant area to be.

It’s not going to get better.

Lewis Austin, Ottawa

Speed isn’t the only problem on our roads

Re: Speed cameras pop up where you don’t expect, April 5.

I agree with Mohammed Adam that speed cameras have curbed excessive speeding and are making our roads safer. However, this technology does not address other safety issues, which are becoming increasingly concerning.

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As I walk, cycle or drive, I see more and more drivers on their phones, not only at stoplights but also when driving. A few days ago, my wife was almost struck by a car as she was crossing an intersection on a green light. The driver was making a turn and didn’t see her because he was looking at his phone. This can only be addressed by the presence of law enforcement officers cruising our streets, which I rarely see.

In addition to speeding and distracted driving, another concern is the lack of enforcement against extremely noisy cars. On our street alone, there are numerous cars with loud exhausts that wake us up early in the morning or late at night. I’ve spoken to our neighbours and they have similar concerns.

Pedestrians could also better protect their safety by not wearing dark clothes and crossing streets looking at their devices, especially in the evening when they are less visible. Furthermore, I have never seen a cyclist given a fine for riding through stop signs or using sidewalks.

Being aware of these issues will keep our family, friends and citizens safer.

Tom Carini Ottawa

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Let people know where speed cameras are

If, as the city maintains, public safety is the only reason for these speed cameras, then it should be providing better signage announcing their presence so that they increase the chance traffic will slow down. Current signage is unobtrusive and blends in with the plethora of road signs adorning our streets.

We should be installing flashing solar-powered signs similar to those that tell drivers how fast they are going. These really catch your attention.

In addition, care should be taken to make sure that the posted speeds the cameras are meant to enforce are realistic — that they reflect what traffic engineers refer to as the natural speed of the road, or the 85th percentile speed.

The latter is the speed at which 85 out of 100 cars travel at or below on a given stretch of road. It is based on the principle that reasonable drivers select a speed to reach their destination in the shortest possible time while avoiding danger to themselves and others, and to property. They take into consideration the condition of the roadway, traffic, weather and other conditions.

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If the cameras are signed fairly and if the speed limits being enforced approximate the 85th percentile speed for the road and you get a ticket, then it is on you and you have no cause for complaint. Time will tell if this is about safety or about milking the speed-camera cash cow.

Gerald Dust, Orléans

Large signs should warn about speed cameras

As I pay two more automated speed tickets (for going 51 and 52 in a new 40-km zone that just installed a camera), I ask the following:

Why aren’t the warning signs very large, in reflective yellow, so you can see them right away? Why isn’t the speed limit on the warning sign, so that we know right away what the limit is? Why am I paying $21.40 more than the fine in victim-fine surcharge, applicable costs, and a fee to pay online?

Why are these cameras appearing everywhere now, not just in sensitive areas like around schools and hospitals? Why does the city make it so hard to fight the ticket, and force us to go to court? I support safety and I am a safe driver. I was driving my son to and from basketball, and we were driving safely.

These cameras are bringing in millions and they are just another tax on tired, hardworking people. The cameras punish us all for the sins of a few, and they do it 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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Aaron Sawyer, Ottawa

Coaching changes won’t solve Sens’ issues

I think the new owners and management of the Ottawa Senators are dreaming in technicolour if they believe off-season coaching changes are the solution to this team’s problems. They’d be further ahead looking at the calibre of the players comprising this year’s roster.

Ron Lemieux, Orléans

Eclipse takeaway: a real sense of unity

Re: ‘Absolutely extraordinary’: Solar eclipse totality leaves crowd in awe, April 8.

I often tell people that when I entered the music program at uOttawa, with just 100 students in the department, it was exciting being among a throng of people with the same basic focus.

The feeling was similar but greater on Monday. As I joined the cortège heading south on Highway 416 to witness the solar eclipse, it felt like I was in Steven Spielberg’s movie, Close Encounters of a Third Kind. How often are we part of a single line of a greater consciousness with literally hundreds of thousands of others? That was the biggest takeaway of the day.

Day birds roosted and morning birds sang pre- and post-totality. The temperature 10 degrees. The light was eerie, especially on the horizon. But in the end it was about people coming together. No winners, no losers — just space and science and … us!

Whew! Friggin’ whew!

Thomas Brawn, Orléans

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