Re: “Dig around to find money” (Letters, May 23)

A letter-writer laments the one-two punch — rising provincial debt and higher taxes to fix outdated infrastructure — that give rise to circumstances that might push more people to leave our city.

But is there a paradise elsewhere in Canada to run to?

It’s true that taxes are higher in Quebec, but what is the trade-off? In the Greater Toronto Area, the average selling price for a home was more than $1 million in April, while a property in Greater Montreal cost one-third less.

And what about the daily cost of living? When we moved here from Toronto in the new millennium, Montreal’s lower transit fares were a surprise. That’s even more welcome now as we ride free. In Toronto, monthly seniors’ passes for both of us would set us back $256.

For me, best of all, is Montreal’s network of outdoor farmers markets (let’s hear it for Quebec growers) and independent food retailers with good prices for fresh produce.

Sure, hitting a pothole is frustrating, more so when money can be found for projects that have little to do with quality of life.

But you can’t put a price on spending a Sunday afternoon walking in our beautiful city.

Dorothy Lipovenko, Westmount

Déjà vu on Ste-Catherine

Re: “Fix for crumbling roads isn’t in Quebecers’ wallets” (Allison Hanes, May 21)

Allison Hanes has delivered another well-researched analytical column — this time on the critical need for infrastructure investment in Montreal, the limited means of municipalities to obtain these funds, and the inadequacy of trying to fund with property taxes. 

I was struck by accompanying photo showing extensive digging and repair at the intersection of Guy and Ste-Catherine Sts. The caption states the photo was taken the day before but it could well have been taken a few years ago — when this same intersection was torn up as it is now, and eventually repaved after extensive underground work.

Yes, there is a critical need for infrastructure funding. But it needs to be spent efficiently. 

David Grogan, Westmount

Imagine all the people

Re: “After effigies hung at rally, mayor signals a rethink of restrictions on protests” (The Gazette, May 29)

After reading the article and learning about the group Montreal4Palestine, I began to wonder: Where is the group Montreal4IsraelPalestineJusticeandPeace?

I imagine a rally of such a group would be peaceful and bring like-minded people of all faiths and political leanings together, finally. We do exist. 

Bluma Goldberg, Côte-St-Luc

‘50% + 1’ doesn’t add up

Re: “Quebec rejects PM’s stance on separation” (The Gazette, May 28)

How strange that no political party in Quebec seems to appreciate the perverse irony that such a fundamental change as making Quebec an independent country would require only a simple, razor-thin majority vote of 50 per cent plus one, while in many less consequential contexts — such as in Quebec‘s Business Corporations Act and other laws — a two-thirds majority is required for organizational and other changes deemed to be of a fundamental nature.

“Standard” laws adopted by simple majority vote can relatively easily be reversed by a subsequent simple majority vote. Creating a new country however, is a fundamental change that goes to the core of a society’s identity, and such decisions tend to be permanent. They should reasonably require a broad social consensus. A vote of 50 per cent plus one to create an independent Quebec would, however, reflect only a sharply divided society. 

Daniel Levinson, Côte-St-Luc

Bravo Habs, from Ottawa

Re: “Habs have carried torch with aplomb” (Jack Todd, May 30)

I live in Ottawa, but I have always been a Habs fan.

I am only a little disappointed in seeing my team seemingly run out of gas after a really great and fabulously entertaining season of hockey.

On the ice and in management, les Canadiens are the crest of a wave that I believe will come to change the NHL for the better, reflecting true athleticism on the ice and respect in the offices

Bravo to them all.

Thomas Brawn, Ottawa

Editor’s Picks

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