Arénas Robinson et Duchesnay
Malgré le fait que des travaux sont en cours pour « patcher » temporairement le problème sérieux de réfrigération qui sévit à l’aréna Robinson, voiçi que j’apprend qu’un des compresseurs à l’aréna Duchesnay ne fonctionne plus. Quand allez-vous réaliser que des investissements importants sont nécessaires et que les systèmes de réfrigération désuets ont besoin d’être changés? Nous venons de passer une année très difficile et nous ne voulons plus revivre cette expérience. La saison de hockey arrive à grands pas. Croisons-nous les doigts pour que la job de colmatage tienne le coup.
France Duval
Aylmer
La Force de l’amitié
Nous étions 30 voyageurs, de 39 à 88 ans, à pédaler à bord du vélobus de la ville de Gatineau, à travers les rues du parc industriel, par un rare avant-midi ensoleillé, le lundi 30 juin. À l’occasion du 400e anniversaire de la ville de Québec, Monseigneur de Laval nous accompagnait !
Notre club, la Force de l’amitié de la région de la capitale canadienne, fait partie de Friendship Force International, association à but non lucratif qui orga- nise des échanges culturels dans le but de changer notre façon de voir le monde. Il y a près de 400 clubs à travers les cinq continents. De 15 à 25 membres d’un club, appelés ambassadeurs, visitent des membres d’un autre club qui les hébergent pendant une semaine dans leurs foyers, pour partager leur vie et leurs coutumes et créer une atmosphère qui permet l’épanouissement d’amitiés personnelles.
Du 26 juin au 3 juillet, dix-huit ambassadeurs du club de la Floride nous rendent visite. Le programme de la semaine est axé sur les origines françaises du Canada et de la région. À chaque acti- vité, un personnage historique, tel que Samuel de Champlain ou Mère Marie de l’Incarnation, accompagne le groupe. Nos ambassadeurs découvrent aussi nos musées, notre parc de la Gatineau, notre canal Rideau et ils vivent une semaine de fraternisation avec nous. Un monde d’amis est un monde de paix.
Cet automne, nos membres visiteront à leur tour des clubs au Japon, en Arizona et en Californie.
Pour plus de renseignements vous pouvez téléphoner au 819-684-6583 ou envoyer un courriel à l’adresse suivante : jtessier_2@sympatico.ca .
Jocelyne Tessier,
vice-présidente
Gatineau
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Mr Normand’s editorial on the Boucher Forest
Mr. Normand’s editorial on the Boucher Forest in the July 2 issue of the Bulletin raises several points that require a closer examination in order to have a better understanding of the issues and the real costs of the three options. The city and its’ taxpayers may not need to spend one additional penny for the land in question. For example, it is now a common practice of the three levels of government, to make tax concessions with land owners whose property is to be converted to conservation status. Rather than expropriating the property, the governments can give the corporate and private land owners tax credits (income and/or property), spread out over several years, in exchange for their properties.
A second option is an exchange of properties; the city transfers land it already owns for the conservation property. The city and organizations such as the Boucher Forest Foundation can also solicit financial assistance from organizations such as the Nature Conservancy of Canada and Ducks Unlimited who specialize in raising funds for conservation projects. This partnership could raise the majority of the costs as has been done in other areas.
In respect to the second option which includes a housing development in 30% of the forest, the city states that this option will generate tax revenue which will lower its costs compared to option one (100% conservation). While this option will generate tax revenue it does not include the costs to the city for maintaining roads and providing policing and fire fighting.
Mr. Normand questions the need for the Boucher forest when the Gatineau Park offers residents an interpretation centre, footpaths and bicycle paths. However, the consultants who prepared a report for the city indicated that there are several rare plants and trees found in the Boucher Forest that are not found in the park. The Boucher Forest is also the last urban forest in western Quebec and offers us a reminder of what our immediate area looked like a hundred years ago. This analogy to the park is akin to saying we don’t need the Bulletin d’Aylmer as we can read the Ottawa Citizen or Le Droit for coverage of local news. Better yet, Mr. Normand, why maintain the Aylmer library, arenas, marina, etc. as these same facilities can be found close by in Hull or Ottawa?
The fact that the turnout for the city’s presentation of the report and consultation of the three options for the forest set a participation record clearly indicates that most residents are willing to see some of their tax dollars spent on green spaces. And as pointed out, the acquisition of this property need not be as expensive to the taxpayer. It is not a question of failing to see the forest for the trees but rather a question of how best to conserve the forest. Let’s be positive and look for a better way to retain our natural heritage and green spaces. Remember, there are none so blind as those who will not see.
Garry McNulty
Aylmer
Gasoline not a normal cost?
Stephen Harper will ignore the increase in the cost of gasoline at his peril in the next election.
At the very least he must direct the Minister responsible for Stats Can to change the basket of goods to include gasoline, each and every month.
At his peril.
Francis W. Thornton
Aylmer
Birthday gift for Dalai Lama: called a terrorist on Rogers Cable
With his 73rd birthday on Sunday, July 6, how is the Dalai Lama being portrayed on television in Canada? As a “liar” and a terrorist who incited his followers to kill!
Rogers Cable has 9 channels (the Great Wall package) delivering a raw feed of Chinese propaganda directly into Canadian homes. Chinese Canadians have responded to the hate propaganda with rallies in Toronto and Ottawa shouting “Liar! Liar!” and “Dalia Lama Die!”
To see a video of what is airing now on Rogers Cable and its results, and to sign a petition to stop the hate, please visit: http://www.stophate.ca
Z. Zheng
Ottawa
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