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LETTERS E Glebe Report March 10, 2017 5

Let us embrace our differences

Editor, Glebe Report to sea. It was and has been a coun-
try whose dream was largely built
As we continue to both hear and see by immigrants. In the same way that
divisive rhetoric and action in our own visibly different immigrants were mis-
country and around the world, there treated in the past, some wish to screen
is great importance in protecting and today’s newcomers for “Canadian val-
maintaining the open, peaceful and ues.” This rhetoric creates an “us and
constantly changing society we con- them” scenario and sows the seeds of
tinue to quietly enjoy in Canada. nationalism - prejudice, racism, divi-
With memory being the short wick sion, mistrust, hate. Once rooted, these
it is, there has been a resurgence and sentiments make it easier to do the hor-
growing popularity of nationalism rible things that come next.
once again, despite the division and Canadian values are those that sup-
enormous human cost and suffering it port the cultural mosaic that is as
has inflicted. Political and social dem- much Canadian as the maple leaf.
agogues agitate the worst aspects of How can we turn our back on and
human nature by fanning the flames deny that which has made us suc-
of xenophobia. They question the cessful? We are a tapestry of people
judiciary, the bedrock of democracy; who represent not just a tolerant soci-
without it, we would revert to auto- ety but an accepting one that, when
cratic rule. And they question the bound together, is vibrant and beauti-
media, which exist to generate pub- ful. We have long shared the common
Snow removal a critical service lic discussion, monitor democracy and reality that almost all Canadians have
cultural roots somewhere else. But,
prevent its abuse; rather, they would
prefer to put forward an unchallenged we have learned the story of Can-
Editor, Glebe Report resources allocated, not based on a narrative of their own. ada and it has become our narrative
one-size-fits-all policy. The mission There is indeed a great distinction regardless of our background. What
There are many city services that creep of city hall continues to embrace and divide between nationalism and we have accomplished together as an
impact residents on a daily basis, initiatives that are quite often not in national pride. The world risks falling accepting society should be a source
but it can be stated with some con- the core mandate of services that the back to a period of division as more of national pride.
fidence that two are regular and citizens of Ottawa expect to be deliv- countries look to build walls both What is a Canadian? What does a
routine; garbage pickup and snow ered. Nice-to-have’s that satisfy a around and within their borders, look Canadian look like? We are all differ-
removal. I concur with the letter by small group must be re-evaluated and inwardly, and desire to re-establish ent and the same. We are of here but
Wendy Daigle Zinn (One-size-fits-all placed in a more appropriate priority. and preserve societal homogene- from somewhere else.
snow removal puts us at risk, Feb- Taxes keep increasing and it seems ity. And with division we are likely We must celebrate our differences
ruary edition) that snow removal that the services offered to my neigh- to experience more abstinence and and diversity, embrace them tightly,
remains a large concern in the Glebe. bours and myself keep declining. conflict both within our societies and and continue to be a people who
I am sure that all areas of Ottawa have Reduced garbage pickup and incon- between countries. understand that acceptance is the path
their complaints with respect to snow sistent snow removal have become the The great unifiers of our country to a safe and stable society.
removal and that is quite justified. norm (see picture). I support increased sought to and succeeded in creat-
However, older areas with high den- density if managed effectively but ing a Canada that stretches from sea Joseph Federico
sity coupled with increased volumes there are responsibilities with respect
of vehicle traffic, both local and out- to this policy initiative. My interaction
of-area, present unique maintenance with the city is limited because most
challenges. of the services I receive are delivered OUr vOLUNTEEr CArrIErS
The City of Ottawa’s budget for routinely and quite well. It is not a
2017 is over 2 billion dollars. There reflection on the individuals doing the Mary Ahearn, Jennie Aliman, Tyler, Luke & Claire Allan, Alton-Shantz family, James
are many competing interests for these difficult task of removing snow, but Atwood, Aubry family, Andre Beauregard, Adrian Becklumb, Beckman family, Inez
funds. Prioritization of these funds the city bureaucrats and policy mak- Berg, Daisy & Nettie Bonsall, Robert & Heidi Boraks, Martha Bowers, Bowie family,
Jonah & Benjy Brender, Gregory Briggett, Adélaïde Bridgett, Deborah Broad, Bob
needs to be better scrutinized. There ers who must wear this problem. Each Brocklebank, Christophe Brunelle-Harmston, Alice Cardozo, Ava & Olivia Car-
penter, Ryan & Charlotte Cartwright, Nicholas Collins Mayer, Sebastian, Cameron
are three types of services: critical, winter is different, so adjust accord- & Anne Cino, Avery & Darcy Cole, John Connor, Coodin family, Denys Cooper,
essential and necessary. Snow removal ingly. Sammy & Teddy Cormier, June Creelman, Georgia Davidson, Richard DesRochers,
Oscar & Jane Dennis, Marilyn Deschamps, Diekmeyer-Bastianon family, Dingle
is a critical service and thus should family, The Element High School, Nicholas, Reuben, Dave & Sandra Elgersma,
be treated as such, with funding and Scott S.A. Healey Amanda & Erin Frank, Judy Field, Gabriel & Octavia Francis, Fedrico Family,
McE Galbreath, Joann Garbig, Glebe C.I. - Community Living class, Caroline &
James de Groot, Matthew & Ryan Goetz, Matti Goodwin-Sutton, Olivia Gorall, Gary
Greenwood, Ginny Grimshaw, Hamer-Wilson family, Henry Hanson, Tracy, William
and Mackenzie Harnish, Martin Harris, Hook family, Cheryle Hothersall, Matthew
Community petition Hovey, Christian Hurlow, Illing-Stewart family, Jack & Lily Inskip-Shesnicky, Jeevan
& Amara Isfeld, Jonathan & Emma Jarvis, Janna Justa, Mr. & Mrs Laing, Lambert
family, Leith and Lulu Lambert, Jamie & Katherine Laundy, Jacob Lavoie, Alexander
& Louisa Lem, Phrasie Le Sann, Kim Lewis, Justin Leyser, Aanika, Jaiden and
Vinay Lodha, Ben, Parker & James Love, Annaline Lubbe, Joanne Lucas, Jim Lumsden, Nick Stewart Lussier, Macdonald family, Jennifer,
John, Owen & Ian MacNab, William Maguire, Pat Marshall, Isaac McGuire, Julie Monaghan, Diane Munier, Sana Nesrallah, Mary Nicoll,
Sachiko Okuda, Brenda Quinlan, Beatrice Raffoul, Don Ray, Shannon & Brody Rector, Mary & Steve Reid, Barbara Riley, Jacqueline, Lucy
and Adam Reilly-King, Ned Rogers, Anna Roper, Emile & Sebastien Roy-Foster, Bruce Rayfuse, Lene Rudin-Brown, Sidney Rudin-Brown,
Paige Saravanamuttoo, Casimir & Tristan Seywerd, Zachary Shannon, Short family, Kathy Simons, Judith Slater, Eamonn Sloan, Grady,
Ella, Audrey Kennedy Squires, Stephenson family, Alex & Claire Stoney, Joanne Sulek, Karen Swinburne, Eric & Steven Swinkels, Zita
Taylor, Brigitte Theriault, Mackenzie Thomas, Spencer Thomas, John & Maggie Thomson, Trudeau family, Hugo Vanderveen, Caroline
Vanneste, Josh VanNopppen, Veevers family, Jonah Walker, Erica Waugh, Katja & Tanja Webster, Patrick and Ciara Westdal, Ben
Westheimer, Allison Williams, Zoe & Nicole Wolfenden, Howard & Elizabeth Wong, Ella & Ethan Wood, Gillian & Jake Wright, Sue Ann
Courtesy of GCa PlanninG Committee. on a street to deliver on it.
Wright, Nathaniel & Maggie Wightman, Young-Smith family, Gord Yule.
Carriers do not have to live

FEATUrED AvAILAbLE rOUTE: hENry STrEET
This route is on a charming short street between bell

homes and low traffic this is an ideal starter route for a
younger carrier. An adult will be able to do this route in
Proposed development at 890/900 Bank Street, between Thornton and Holmwood St.South and Lebreton St.South. With its closely-spaced
less than 30 minutes.
Say yes to good development AvAILAbLE DELIvEry rOUTES

and no to 8 storeys on bank Street! Dow’s Lake Rd.
Crescent Heights Rd.
Pretoria - QED to O’Connor
Do you want to send a message to the city that you support good development Bronson Ave. - Fifth Ave. to Canal Bridge
and that an eight-storey building on Bank Street does not fit and will have nega- Plymouth St. - Bronson to LeBreton South
tive impacts?
Go to the Glebe Community Association website at www.glebeca.ca and sign Contact: Marnie Wellar 613-408-1300
the petition to have your voice counted. Follow the links to the 890/900 Bank Email: circulation@glebereport.ca
Street page for more information.