Re: “Fix for crumbling roads isn’t in Quebecers’ wallets” (Allison Hanes, May 21)
Instead of proposing to raise taxes on property and commercial establishments to cover the city’s needs, why not put an entry tax on drivers who live outside of Montreal but come here for work and use our roads?
How about a tax to trucking companies whose vehicles contribute to the deterioration of our roads?
And finally, have cyclists pay for a bike licence every year.
These changes could help fill city coffers.
Joyce Stempkowsky, N.D.G.
Advice from south of border
Re: “Secularism laws take toll on mental health” (Opinion, May 2)
Perhaps living in the United States has made me overly sensitive to divisions between human beings. But may I offer a bit of advice to my Canadian neighbours?
Be wary of those who would divide you — for example, with legislation that seeks to extinguish outward signs of religious affiliation in public spaces.
Believe me when I say the U.S. social fabric is fractured. Surely Canadians can — and for the sake of humanity — must do better than us.
R. Jay Allain, Orleans, Mass.
Enough with the gambling ads
Ads showing people drinking alcohol are forbidden. Ads showing people smoking cigarettes or vaping are forbidden. Why are ads for gambling so ubiquitous?
I have been counting gambling ads shown during the NHL playoffs. In each period there are at least five.
Gambling, like smoking and drinking, can be an addiction with devastating consequences for countless families. How can you justify gambling ads over the others?
Esti Mayer, Dollard-des-Ormeaux
Photo finish isn’t a referendum win
Re: “Carney compares separatist drives to the U.K.’s Brexit” (The Gazette, May 26)
It counts as a win in the sports world when an athlete finishes ahead by one-hundredth of a second — but just squeaking over the finish line should not be enough for a province to separate from Canada.
The problem with 50 plus one means that almost half of voters would not agree with the result.
In such a case, the separation issue would not be satisfactorily settled, and might even encourage further separation from the initial separation.
Only a clear majority should determine a referendum win.
A photo finish result declared as a victory would only breed confusion, frustration and perhaps even violence, and that would not be a legitimate win for either side.
Douglas Cornish, Ottawa
OQLF takes on Habs cheers again
With apparently little else to do, the Office québécois de la langue française is again encouraging Habs fans to cheer on their team in French — or, as per its Facebook page, “in the language of Maurice Richard.”
The French-language watchdog has published a guide of common hockey cheers translated into French.
I suppose the OQLF believes we will be gratified to know it continues to work hard to protect the French language in this way — despite the embarrassing setbacks like the Go Habs Go bus fiasco and “pastagate.”
As for me, I will continue to cheer on the Habs in the language of “Rocket” Richard and also in the language of Cole Caufield, Larry Robinson, Ken Dryden and Carey Price.
Allen Rubin, Westmount
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