Today's letters: Stop Lansdowne approval process in 2025

Friday, Jan. 3: The expensive Lansdowne makeover will only raise municipal taxes more this year, a reader says. You can write to us too, at [email protected]

Published Jan 03, 2025  •  Last updated 0 minutes ago  •  2 minute read

Emerance Maschmeyer #38 and Jincy Roese #71 of Ottawa Charge defend against Emma Maltais #27 and Jocelyne Larocque #3 of Toronto Sceptres during a game at TD Place at Lansdowne on Dec. 3, 2024. Photo by Troy Parla /Getty Images

Don’t rubber-stamp Lansdowne, council

Re: TD Place, as it stands, is hosting its last World Juniors, Dec. 27.

Hopefully, Ottawa Council will not rubber-stamp the Lansdowne 2.0 expenditure of close to$500 million as Don Brennan advocates in his column.

Instead, council should come to its senses and realize that there are far more important investments than 2.0; Lansdowne already had a relatively recent $200-million upgrade; and, if the city really needs a new entertainment centre, it should be in a location that is readily accessible by transit and car, something that will never be the case at Lansdowne Park.

Article content

Councillors have endorsed a 3.9 per cent tax increase for the coming year. If they approve Lansdowne 2.0, taxpayers can look forward to even greater increases in future years.

John Dance, Ottawa

The Liberal brand can yet be saved

Re: Today’s letters: What Canada needs now is a ‘war cabinet,’ Dec. 30.

It is almost certain that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his political skin are heading for the dumpster. Unfortunately, he is dragging a great country’s reputation and the Liberal party brand with him.

There is hope that he can turn things around. First, Trudeau has to dismiss the idea that he is the saviour of the world with his EV program and the carbon tax. Both must go. Next, as a previous commentator has suggested, he must engage other parties with a seat and voice at the newly formed “trade war cabinet” table.

He then needs to put maximum effort into securing our borders. And finally, he needs to provide approval to projects that will enhance our ability to sell our natural gas and oil. Yes, as anti-green as it sounds, the world will never be able to survive/function without oil and its products. We may as well be a preferred supplier.

Article content

Finally, he needs to apologize to the Canadian people for the sordid state of our country, admit his direction was misguided, and say that he is on the path of change and recovery.

We also need to fulfil our NATO obligations within two to three years. No more HST holidays and related gimmicks.

Considering the alternative offerings if we are thrown into an election, I believe that, with a solid and committed change of direction, the Liberal brand should be able to lead the country back into prosperity.

Ken Bernard, Ottawa-Hull

This snow job is very well handled

Re: Letter, Ottawa’s snow-clearing is second to none, Dec. 30.

Ottawa, say hello to none other than Mississippi Mills, Almonte. Snow removal in Almonte is the best I have encountered in my 60 years of adult life across Canada.

Al Jones, Almonte

Recommended from Editorial

1. 

   Today's letters: How Canada should tackle climate change in 2025

2. 

   Pellerin: 2025, the year to beautify Ottawa as Canada's capital?

Article content