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Yes, I would be upset if I were caught speeding by an automated speed enforcement camera. I would be ticked off, but I would not vandalize the camera as a result. I was speeding, and I was caught — life sucks. What upsets me more is to have the Premier of Ontario publicly accuse the cameras of being a tax grab, while not even mentioning the criminals who cut them down.

Generally speaking, we don’t like paying taxes, yet we expect a well-funded health care and education system. We can’t have both. If we eliminate things like automobile registration fees and annual licence renewal fees, etc., that shortfall has to come from somewhere. Let’s keep the cameras and root out and punish those who damage and destroy them.Ìý

John Zvanitajs, Innisfil, ON

Premier Ford ignores what’s needed to help Ontario grow

Doug Ford is encouraging vigilantes who destroy º£½ÇÉçÇø¹ÙÍøspeed cameras. What does that say about his ‘law and order’ stance?, Sept. 10

Premier Doug Ford is putting nothing into helping Ontarians find work andÌý his only response to high-speed drivers getting caught by city cameras is stating he’s “going to help get rid of them” (the cameras). The Premier is doing what he wants while ignoring all the things that could help Ontario grow. Shawn Micallef hits the mark right on. It’s time for Ford to leave office.

Chris Andrews, Vaughan, ONÌýÌý

Financial literacy should be reflected in government spending

Ontario’s Grade 10 financial literacy requirement needs a rethink, critics say, Aug. 29

Thank you forÌý shinning a light on the Ministry of Education’s delay in the release of the new financial literacy curriculum requirement promised for September 2025.

There is no debate that financial literacy is an essential life-skill.

Financial literacy is already embedded in all facets of home economics — currently only offered as an elective to Ontario secondary students through family studies courses.

Has the Ministry considered tweaking theÌý existing family studies course and making it a required course?

Mary Carver, Ottawa, ONÌý

Can’t find a job? Join the military

Look harder, Doug Ford tells unemployed young people seeking work, Sept. 9

To young people looking for work, I would say: If you’re 18 or older, join the Canadian military. Our armed forces are desperate for recruits. Canada needs you. Further to this point: Canada, Europe and (hopefully) the U.S.A. need to stop dithering and do what’s necessary to win the war in Ukraine. Pain and loss are inevitable, and there will be more and more of it if Putin is not stopped, and soon. And, by the way, the women and men of our military sign up for going into harm’s way. That’s why we respect and honour them.

Isobel Raven, Toronto, ONÌý

The partisan divide doesn’t end at the U.S. border

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox had the most compelling statement after the Charlie Kirk shooting, advocating that Americans find a way to stop hating each other. That admonition is being drowned out by partisan attacks and demands for retribution.

No one should defend Kirk’s murder, nor should they defend the racism, opposition to Civil Rights legislation, religious intolerance, and subjugation of women that he advocated.

David Steele, Saskatoon, SK

Governments have the money to fight wildfires, but they give it to fossil fuel companies

We know what we need to do to prepare for wildfires. We just don’t do it, Sept. 9

It’s true, as Robin Sears says, that governments did not listen and act on forest management and wildfire preparation. It’s also true that governments seem to be able to find the money to fight wildfires when they occur. Perhaps more to the point, Canadian governments also find billions of dollars to give to oil, gas and coal companies, even though these are rich corporations. These are the same companies that have been making money while knowingly causing climate change, which in turn contributes to an escalation in wildfires and all the other climate catastrophes. Every single job in the oilsands, oilfields and coal mines was created while corporate executives and politicians fully understood that climate change is mainly caused by burning fossil fuels. It’s time for governments to stop supporting oil, gas and coal development, but will they listen?

David Kempton, Newmarket, ONÌý

It’s time to require bollards

Two children in critical condition after deadly daycare crash in Richmond Hill, Sept. 11

In light of the increasing number of cases involving cars crashing into commercial properties, either accidentally or for deliberate criminal purposes, it is time to require bollards or, if there is room, large concrete planters between stores and streets. And homeowners whose houses are situated in such a way that they are particularly vulnerable to a car skidding onto their property would also be wise to consider appropriate barriers.

Anita Dermer, TorontoÌý

Banning books from schools

I just finished reading a book by Linwood Barclay (a former columnist at the Star).ÌýIn the book, some parents complained to an English teacher regarding books he gave to his students to read. They had a meeting at school to discuss the issue. Quoting from his book, the teacher said to the parents “shielding them (the students) from ideas will make them less tolerant, less understanding, less willing to engage, and that, ultimately, will make them less safe.”

Nobody is safe, whether you are in your own bedroom or in a daycare. Banning books is definitely not a solution.

Aileen Wong,ÌýScarborough, ON

Ken Dryden had a sense of fun

Ken Dryden not only lived a big life, he took notes, sept. 28

I want to add to all the accolades about Ken Dryden’s many accomplishments, one more: his sense of FUN. My friend Peter Pearson directed the 6-part CBC TV series based on Ken’s book about hockey. He came from Montreal to attend a film business party and invited me to join him — at the event venue — and told me that “his driver” would pick me up.Ìý When the driver arrived, duly announced by my concierge, it was Ken Dryden at the wheel, in his chauffeur gear! We had a good laugh together.

Anne Tait, Toronto