Saturday’s letters: E-bus money could have funded safety

Re, “Edmonton hiring 30 transit peace officers for LRT patrols, scrapping security guards,” April 9

City managers have decided to spend an allocated $5 million on transit peace officers. Makes sense. Anything that “results in safely and the perception of safety” is most welcome.

Now, imagine how much more improvement to safety concerns could be had if only Edmonton Transit hadn’t squandered $50 million on the ill-fated fleet of electric buses.

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Warren Ngo, Edmonton

Why no security clearance for Poilievre?

I have to wonder about Mr. Poilievre’s refusal to seek a security clearance. He claims that it is because he will be muzzled or unable to speak his mind if he gets one. Surely, the Canadian prime minister needs to have access to all top-secret information to make informed decisions to achieve, sustain and protect national security.

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And in the interests of national security, the legal requirement that those possessing a security clearance must keep secret information secret is justified. Such people are not prohibited from exercising free speech except that they have to be able to keep a national secret in the interests of national security. Security clearances have not stopped any prime minister to date from speaking to the issues of the day without spilling national secrets.

Thus, it seems to me that Mr. Poilievre is saying that he cannot or will not keep national secrets. Or, perhaps, he suspects that he would not qualify for a security clearance.

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Brian A. Vail, Edmonton

Make animal welfare an election issue

Every day at the Edmonton Humane Society, we witness the powerful bond between people and their pets. But we also see firsthand how this bond is being tested more than ever. People contact us daily because they can’t find stable pet-friendly housing, their pet needs urgent treatment they can’t afford, or they’re living out of their vehicle after a job loss — all while wanting the best for their pets.

No one should face these heartbreaking choices. When we have policies that support families — through better housing, health care, and financial stability — we help keep pets and people together.

This election is an opportunity to ensure that animal welfare is on the agenda. Ask your local candidates how they plan to create a more humane Canada for all. Let’s raise our voices to show animal welfare matters and ensure both pets and the people who love them are supported, protected, and valued.

Liza Sunley, chief executive officer, Edmonton Humane Society

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Stop the Alberta separation nonsense

Danielle Smith and Preston Manning, stop the separation and Canadian sovereignty nonsense. This is a time for unity, not political gains. Quit playing games with our country’s stability. We have enough to contend with from external governments.

David Greenlaw, Edmonton

Letters welcome

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