I’ve been going to events at Lansdowne since 1973. 2.0 should be approved | Letters to the Editor

Gay MacQuarrie, Kanata

I cannot believe it. The truck convoy episode cost the city of Ottawa $37 million. A big price to pay for a situation that brought nothing to this country. Some people might think otherwise, but we all have an opinion.

No jail time for costing this city $37 million. I am not sure what Canada has become, but there seems to be no responsibility or accountability for crimes whether huge, medium or small, here in this country.

Christine Gibeau, Gatineau

RE: Urgent Mental Health Care Returns 

The headline and article that dominated the first two pages of the Oct. 8 issue of the Ottawa Citizen should be welcome news for those experiencing mental health challenges. As President and CEO Cara Vaccarino and representatives of support services in the region suggest, this move is much needed and long overdue. For the sake of those requiring these services, I sincerely hope that the proposed clinic is successful.

Whatever we do, we have to do it soon.

Dave Currier, Barrhaven

There is lots of coverage on the government’s budget process and criticism of an increasing deficit. There is also lots of coverage on Donald Trump’s tariffs and the prime minister’s progress in negotiations. But the media and public discussion is avoiding linking the two.

It is important that we recognize that we are in the middle of an unwarranted and unwanted economic war in which Trump is talking to U.S. generals about Canada being the 51st state and about using U.S. cities as training grounds for who knows what purpose.

Our number one priority, during this war, is that we protect the well-being and jobs of Canadians. If that means an expensive transformation from excessive U.S. dependence to more diversified trade and security, then we can expect to increase deficits that can be addressed after things settle down.

Racing our bikes with high handlebars and banana seats to the local Dairy Queen at Merivale and Clyde for 10- or 15-cent ice cream cones. Stopping at Norel Hobby Shop in the Lancaster Plaza to get model airplanes and cars. First job pumping gas in minus-25-degree weather at the small gas kiosk next to the old GEM store (now the Loblaws superstore).

A fine place and time in which to grow up. While most do not find Nepean very cool, remember this … Nepean, Nepean, what a wonderful place to be in!!

Lawrence Brass writes:

Edwinn Lemieux’s letter on October 4, 2025, could not be more spot-on, particularly about the traffic in Ottawa-Gatineau. The only thing that I would add is that I am a former public servant who was let go due to “budget cuts.” I find it very frustrating that complexes like Place du Portage, Terrasses de la Chaudière, and Tunney’s Pasture undergo what are probably hundreds of millions of dollars of renovations while letting so many people, such as myself, be let go. It’s a terrible way of setting priorities, and, if anything, we learned during the pandemic how unnecessary these buildings are in getting work done. In general, there is no point coming into an office to do work that can be done from home. For example, I would see people who were seated close to each other still having chats on Teams. Perhaps one was sharing their screen or there was another participant who was elsewhere.