YOU SAID IT: Change speed camera process

CHANGE SPEED CAMERA PROCESS

As opposed to tearing out millions of dollars in speed cameras, etc., why not change the process into more of an educational system as opposed to punitive.

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Maybe something like, get caught going 1-9 km/h over the speed limit, you get a warning in the mail. Get caught doing it twice in six months, you get both tickets. Get caught going 10-19 over, well, you get your deserved ticket in the mail. Get caught going 20+ over, well, you’re going to get twice the normal fine.

Have the cameras limited exclusively to school zones and have the same time/seasonal restrictions on them.

DONALD MUNRO

MAYBE A COUNCILLOR CUT?

Hey, mayor and City of Ottawa councillors, how serious are you about presenting an annual budget to the people of Ottawa? Remember, the people neither want, need or desire the Cadillac version, just a budget that addresses the basics.

If the mayor and councillors are serious, they should perhaps look within. Is it time to cut the number of councillors? Maybe one of the current councillors might be able to explain why we have more elected officials than other cities in the country with the same population? Even better, why do we have 24 councillors and Toronto has 25 even though they have about three times the population?

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Let’s not even talk about a council pay raise; don’t go there.

So, circling back to my opening statement, how serious are you about presenting an annual budget to the people of Ottawa?

MICHAEL PERREAULT
OTTAWA

DEBT AND GUN CONCERNS

Full disclosure, I am a fiscal conservative and a registered gun owner.

First, Canada’s national debt has more than doubled since 2015, and projections suggest it may double again. This raises serious concerns about the long-term burden on my children and grandchildren. Why has the government moved away from presenting traditional, line-by-line federal budgets toward “fiscal updates” and “spending plans”? Canadians must expect regular budgets and full transparency and accountability in how tax dollars are managed.

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Second, I am also concerned about the ongoing focus on firearms policy as a political wedge issue. The proposed buyback program has been criticized as ineffective and wasteful, with estimates ranging into the billions of dollars. How does the government justify this spending when violent crime is largely driven by smuggling and gang activity, not by licensed firearms owners?

RICK GONZALEZ
OTTAWA

HAVE YOUR SAY

Your letters are welcome, at: OttSun.Oped@sunmedia.ca. Include your first and last name AND city/town. Keep your letters short — and please try to be civil, even when criticizing or disagreeing. We edit for accuracy, length, clarity and legal concerns.

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