Friday’s letters: Trump inauguration bash? Fix health care, instead

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I typically don’t express my political views publicly, but Danielle Smith keeps pushing the envelope and I couldn’t resist writing a letter to the editor. I’ll admit that I did not vote for her for a number of reasons, and believe that she is an intelligent person. I just don’t agree with her position on a number of matters.

What really stirred me up recently was the Edmonton Journal article regarding her attending a Trump inauguration party in Washington. What on God’s green earth for? If she really wants to rub shoulders with the likes of MAGA Republicans, she should pursue a position with our federal government that she respects so much. Perhaps she can be Canada’s ambassador to the United States. Canada currently maintains 12 diplomatic representatives throughout several regions of the United States. Odds of getting a job may be pretty good.

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Seriously though, enough is enough. Attending Trump’s inauguration “party” on Alberta taxpayers’ dime? I think spending some time with her entourage in the Alberta legislature problem-solving our failing health-care system may be better spent than whooping it up with MAGA Republicans at the Canadian Embassy in Washington.

Rick Sawchuk, Sherwood Park

UCP grabs power at police commission

The UCP’s decision to exercise greater control over the appointment of the Edmonton Police Commission comes as no surprise and no comfort. Since 2019, residents of the Edmonton inner city like myself have seen firsthand the consequences of provincial negligence and intentional incompetence. They are not interested in any agenda other than their own.

Make no mistake: This decision is just the same — a power grab at the expense of our community’s trust and the livelihoods of our neighbours.

Alexander C.S. Dowsey, Edmonton

Edmonton Transit safe for this senior

The Valley Line has been a gift for this senior over the past four weeks. I live downtown, and the train takes me quickly and efficiently to the Grey Nuns hospital, where my husband has been in residence since Oct. 22. The new train cars are shiny and new and beautiful, and the route offers wonderful views of the city skyline. Several of the stops and stations feature original and inspiring artworks.

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The media seems to favour stories about transit being unsafe. I use it extensively, admittedly only in the daytime, and have never experienced anything more than a bit of “street drama.” I find that interesting and believe it’s good to know about the diversity and scope of life in this remarkable and rapidly growing city.

I regularly say to my husband, “Guess what happened on the bus today?” I mean that in a good way. No stabbings, no swearing (well, maybe a little bit sometimes), no outright rudeness, just a certain level of obliviousness when headphones are involved.

Anita Jenkins, Edmonton

AIMCo should dump social policies

It was welcome news that AIMCo will be ditching ESG (environment, social, governance) and DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) considerations with respect to its investment decisions. It has become apparent that this fad has been a costly mistake. Many large corporations including John Deere, Molson Coors, Lowe’s, Harley Davidson, Microsoft, Tractor Supply, and Boeing have all recognized this and have, or are in the process of, eliminating these departments

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AIMCo’s purpose should be to secure a good rate of return for the retirement funds of its members, not to jump on every trendy, empty-headed, virtue-signalling fashion that pops up.

Ron Nichol, Sherwood Park

Swing your partner for good health

I square dance once a week and round dance three times a week. Today, a kidney transplant surgeon told me I am an amazingly healthy 74-year-old. I attribute this mainly to my involvement in dance.

The Alzheimer Society makes a number of recommendations for delaying Alzheimer’s and dementia. They include physical activity, social activity, musical involvement, learning new skills, maintaining good hearing, and reducing alcohol consumption. While square dancing, I have to listen to the music, listen for the caller to tell me my next move, translate that call into movement, all the while interacting with seven other dancers. Between dances, one socializes with all the other dancers. It is understood that dancers won’t consume alcohol before dancing. We are doing most of the actions recommended by the Alzheimer Society.

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When my wife’s cancer was near its end, she extracted two promises from me: Reduce my alcohol consumption and get back into dancing. I have managed to keep both promises. I have gone from being painfully alone to having an active social life, a wide circle of friends, one very special friend and very good health.

This Sunday, I will be at West Edmonton Mall to celebrate National Square Dance Day. We’ll be at the far west end. If you care about health and social well-being, please join us.

John Younie, Edmonton

Merge Edmonton region for savings

There are 25 municipalities around Edmonton. Each has a chief administrative officer, councillors and are duplicating everything. We need to amalgamate the whole region and get real leadership in place. Think of the millions in savings in duplication; 1.5 million people do not need 150 councillors, 25 CAOs and duplication of equipment and personnel. Set term limits for two terms so we don’t build lifelong politicians

Jerome Allan, Edmonton

Hands off Albertans’ pension funds

Pension funds should not become a cash cow for political investments. Under an ideologically driven UCP, I am watching aghast as this government single-handedly takes aim at managing retirement funds exclusively owned by the benefactors.

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The pension funds held and managed by AIMCo should be singularly focused on doing what is best for the benefactors and not be available to pursue the political inclinations of the Alberta government. The fund managers should not be so much focused on making investments that may be good for Alberta as choosing what is best for the benefactors.

Those pension funds are held in trust for the benefactors. My underlying concern is with the political mindset behind the recent evisceration of the AIMCo governance board, the refusal to release the results of the public survey on Albertans’ views of leaving the Canada Pension Plan, and the motives for wanting to have more of a hands-on approach to managing the pension funds. I believe the motives are likely more political in nature than doing what is best for the pension-fund benefactors and that should be something that greatly concerns them all.

Ken Crutchfield, St. Albert

Bus shelter deaths deserve empathy

Re. “Four people found dead in Edmonton bus shelters,” Nov. 21

I am appalled at the unfounded, uncaring, unacceptable remarks of Mr. Steve Bradshaw. These four souls were people with stories, and I’m sure never planned to die in a bus shelter. Mr. Bradshaw owes them a very public apology. Remember, there but for the grace of God, go you and I.

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Margaret Linklater, Edmonton

Water more vital than coal mining

Re. “Alberta should be a leader in responsible coal mining,” Opinion, Nov. 19

The president of the Coal Association of Canada, Robin Campbell, in his opinion piece on coal mining completely ignored the most important factors why Canadians, and especially Albertans, are against coal mining and particularly new coal mines in the southern foothills.

Any new coal mines would need lots of water which will be diverted from farms, ranchers and drinking water for Albertans. The water itself will be degraded with lots of toxic chemicals that result from coal mining. We are already short of water in Alberta and we don’t need coal mines to make it worse. The mines themselves will create lasting scars on the landscape. Campbell should be ashamed of himself as an Albertan to be placing short-term greed for a few people over the needs of most Albertans.

Gerhard Henkemans, Edmonton

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