Letters: Who asked for these planter boxes in the Plateau?

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Re: “Planter boxes or parking spots?” (The Gazette, Oct. 29)

My wife and I have lived in the Plateau for over 30 years and witnessed the drastic changes to our streets, including the profusion of bike lanes and Bixi stands, the extension of corner curbs and the changing road directions.

Recently, driving along Coloniale Ave., we were surprised to see big rectangular concrete structures in the street. Adding green space is well and good, but were residents properly consulted about these planter boxes?

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How will they affect street-cleaning operations, especially in winter? What about residents with mobility issues who require a parking space now occupied by a box?

As a homeowner paying significant property taxes, I am also deeply concerned about the reported cost: $32,000 each.

The city seems unable to manage the constant need for road repairs and yet finds the money for projects like these boxes.

Edwin Yee, Plateau-Mont-Royal

English textbook for civics class

Re: “EMSB says it’s ready for Sunday’s vote after lengthy lines during advance polls” (Montreal Gazette, Nov. 1)

Once the dust settles after the elections, English school boards should focus on Quebec’s new mandatory civics course on culture and citizenship. Among other matters, the course deals with timely issues such as democracy and human rights.

Presently, there are two versions of the textbook available in French, but neither has been translated into English. This is unacceptable and undermines the spirit of inclusivity that we strive for in our education system.

Chris Eustace, Montreal

Food insecurity and wheat exports

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Re: “Food banks face 2.9M monthly requests: group” (The Gazette, Nov. 1), “Canada on track to be world’s third-largest wheat exporter” (FP Montreal, Oct. 29)

Close to a staggering 2.9 million households ask for food assistance every month, according to Food Banks of Quebec. Many of the needy are people with jobs and many are children. A substantial part of the rest of Canada also suffers from food insecurity.

At the same time, Canada is the world’s third-largest exporter of wheat, having shipped almost 21.8 megatonnes of wheat to 65 countries last year and the quantity keeps increasing.

Surely, there is a disconnect here. Cannot some of this wheat and various grains be used to supply Canadian food banks?

Ultimately, part of the solution to food insecurity, it can be argued, is a guaranteed, livable minimum income for everyone so that everyone in Canada can afford the food they need.

Shloime Perel, Côte-St-Luc

Don’t let pumpkin go to waste

It always saddens me when the streets are filled with wasted pumpkins after Halloween.

Just the smell of a candle burning inside a pumpkin tells you that there is more that is delicious than just the seeds.

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Cut the pumpkin in little chunks, wash them, sprinkle a bit of cinnamon and bake them until they are soft. They are healthy and delicious — and you don’t have to bother making a pumpkin pie.

Sandra Sterling, Snowdon

Secularism goes beyond clothing

Re: “What happened at school where 11 teachers were suspended?” (The Gazette, Oct. 24)

Secularism should never be measured by what’s on someone’s head, but by what comes out of their mouth — by their actions, words and commitment to neutrality in public life.

Bill 21’s focus on attire is not just unnecessary, it’s deeply flawed and highly discriminatory.

I have raised five children, four of whom attended a home daycare run by a Muslim woman who wore a hijab and occasionally prayed in front of the children. The only effect this had on my kids was to open their minds.

They were never fearful of the other and never saw her as different or strange. Instead, they learned to view people from different cultures and faiths as equals. What they took away were lessons of tolerance, respect and understanding of diverse cultures — qualities I wish were more present in the discourse surrounding Bill 21.

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True secularism is fostered through education and experience, not by enforcing superficial rules about what people can and cannot wear. It’s time to recognize that inclusivity and understanding, not discrimination, are what will allow us to build a truly secular and fair society.

Lindi Ross, Carignan

Who decides what’s offensive?

Re: “Stop with costumes that mock disability” (Letters, Oct. 29)

Anyone who knows me well is all too aware that I find humour in odd places. The description of the “blind referee” costume in a recent letter is a perfect example.

How many times at a sporting event has someone commented that the ref is blind when missing a call, or making a bad one. That’s the point of the costume, I believe.

As a blind person, I think I got the intended joke.

I would advise allowing others to decide whether they’re offended, instead of implying all blind or visually impaired people should be offended.

Jerry Pryde, Stoney Creek, Ont.

Another blow to anglo institutions

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