Letters, Oct. 28: Canmore development ruling a win for proper process

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Re: Canmore council begrudgingly approves pair of developments, Oct. 25

As a retired Calgary city planner, these historical area structure plans in Canmore have interested me for decades. Unlike the winner-loser tone of the article, I prefer to characterize the lengthy planning and development steps as an overall win for the public process.

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There will be interests met and not met on both sides of the development debate, but the extremely detailed process of an initial (decades old) annexation for future development, environmental studies, provincial review, appeals and final decision is extremely thorough. And the detailed development planning process for the lands is just beginning, requiring more public involvement, scrutiny of design details and a public hearing.

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All sides need to now work together to ensure these developments befit this gem of a mountain town. 

Ground war in Gaza a bad idea

Anybody who genuinely cares for both the Israeli and Palestinian people should agree with New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman that a full-scale Israeli invasion of Gaza is a very bad idea. Instead, special forces should be sent in to free hostages and limit deadly force to Hamas leaders. To do otherwise would be to allow Iran to succeed in its goal to perpetuate the Palestinian problem and strengthen animosity worldwide toward Israel and the United States.

A full-scale invasion will result in massive “collateral damage”, including the death of thousands of civilians. 

It is understandable why Israelis are angry, but two wrongs do not make a right. We should accept that most Palestinians are not terrorists and want peace.

It would be terribly sad if, once again, it is the minority extremists who get their way.

Peter Mannistu, Calgary

Cell service lagging across Calgary

East Calgarians aren’t the only ones experiencing poor cell service. I’m a long-term resident of Strathcona Park in the southwest, and cell reception in our home has always been very unreliable.

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Calls are garbled, they cut in and out, or are dropped completely. Our sons refer to us as living in the “dead zone.” It’s a particularly odd situation as there are three cell towers within a kilometre or two of our house.

We’re keeping the landline.

Jane Hillard, Calgary

In support of Alberta pension plan

It looks like the best argument for an Alberta pension plan is the fact that the CPP refuses to weigh in with their estimate of Alberta’s entitlement under Section 113 of the Canada Pension Act.

Also, it appears that Michel Leduc, head of CPPI, didn’t bother to read the act that he works under. He said: “A province that accounts for only 16 per cent of total contributions can’t legally or realistically be allowed to claim more than half the assets.

Except “legally,” the Act doesn’t say this.

Let’s say the number is only 35 per cent. Even if we get less, perhaps it is time for Albertans to cut our losses. Otherwise, we will continue to subsidize other provinces who are not satisfied with discouraging economic growth in their provinces, but also want to shut down Alberta’s economy as well.

William D. Marriott, Calgary

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