Article contentCanada must take steps immediately to end its complicity in the arms production and distribution that aid this devastating war on Gaza.Article contentArticle contentMary Cowper-Smith,Article contentCharlottetownArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentROBUST RESPONSEArticle contentI’ve seen how the housing crisis has deeply affected our community. More and more people are being pushed into homelessness, and it feels like everyone is falling behind. We have to turn things around, and we have an opportunity in front of us with the upcoming federal budget on Nov. 4.Article contentThe only way to unlock Canada’s full economic potential is if our governments take leadership to end homelessness and solve the housing crisis once and for all. Recently, the federal government announced Build Canada Homes, including a $1-billion investment in supportive and transitional housing. This is an important first step, but the scale of our housing and homelessness crisis demands a more robust response. We need a system that works for everyone, especially in the wake of Trump’s trade war and the uncertainty that so many are facing.Article contentArticle contentBold action and even bolder commitments and investments can shape a future where everyone has a safe and affordable place to call home. I know that’s possible, but people in our community have to come together and show our federal representatives that this budget is our chance to create lasting change and put an end to the housing and homelessness crisis.Article contentI’m encouraging readers to join me. Raise your voice for a bold 2025 federal budget that prioritizes action on homelessness and housing. We can’t wait any longer. You can go to https://action.caeh.ca/budget_25 to learn more and take action.Article contentMarylou Sinnott,Article contentStratford, P.E.I.Article contentArticle contentArticle content An article on the optic of religion featured a photo from Good Friday, 2020, when churches would not expect to see a large number of people gathering. The GuardianArticle contentPOOR PHOTO CHOICEArticle contentToday’s paper had an article by Ari David Blaff and a photo by Jack Boland from Toronto Sun/Post Media. The photo was taken in the RC Church: St. Michael’s Basilica on Bond Street, Toronto. In the pic, the celebrant is named as RC Cardinal Thomas Collins. There are also three altar servers present and nearby . The article states that he is saying mass in an empty church on Good Friday, April 10, 2020.Article contentArticle contentI’d like to note that that photo was taken in 2020 when there were severe restrictions of gatherings for the public due to the COVID pandemic. The author did not make note of that fact.Article contentPeople in many communities across Canada were able to participate at home if they were able to access the livestream option of services in a number of churches. In some communities, that option remains which is a convenience for the home-bound whether due to a disability, older age or other reasons that make it difficult or impossible to attend in person. Arrangements can be made for a volunteer who attends a mass to take the host (Holy Communion) to those who request it.Article contentAdherents of the RC Church would be aware that Good Friday, a public holiday, is generally observed, although it is not a holy day of obligation. During that service, the altar is bare, without cross, candlesticks and altar cloths.Article contentIn sum, I don’t think the writer did research since no mention was made of the importance/implication of the year 2020 and the pandemic restrictions world-wide. Referring to the basilica as an “empty church” on that Good Friday, without mentioning that there were factors that caused that to be the case seems incomplete reporting and perhaps negligent. (Though four people in the church cannot really be considered empty).Article contentCanadians remain unique.Article contentJudy Donovan Whitty,Article contentCharlottetownArticle content
LETTERS: P.E.I. letter writers don’t want condos on Charlottetown waterfront and other letters
