Thursday Letters: Can Everyone Ignore Laws They Don’t Like?

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So, Danielle Smith seems to think that Alberta should just refuse to accept those federal laws that Alberta — overnight — doesn’t like. Hasn’t our outgoing prime minister already commented on the fringe of insane people wanting to take over the asylum he built?

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I wonder if Danielle thinks Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer or High Level should have the same rights when it comes to provincial and federal laws they don’t like. I wonder if each of Edmonton’s 375 wards should have similar rights with respect to municipal, provincial and federal laws.

Maybe Danielle would even support extending this to individual households? After all, by the same (il)logic, we should be able to democratically vote to declare our own homes as sovereign spaces and refuse to obey or enforce any laws or regulations we don’t like, no matter who issues them.

It will be interesting to see how the party that has set up a policing campaign for the upcoming provincial election might attempt to reconcile this nonsense with this nonsense.

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Ken Cantor, Edmonton

FIFA’s treatment of the city is a lesson for others

Congratulations, Edmonton. We just got played for suckers by the most corrupt and heinous organization of crooks on the planet, and that is FIFA. They regaled us with stories about what World Cup football would mean to us, and when we were no longer needed, it was until later.

Fear not though, we can watch Upper Volta and Tonga play in a Vancouver barnburner. Let this be a lesson for all future bidders. FIFA will put you on the sidewalk after bleeding you dry. One more thing, the money FIFA got from the 85,000 we put into the Commonwealth Stadium, give it back.

Ken Banner, Edmonton

Viable business case for gondola project

Re. “What is Gondola’s business plan?” » Letters, June 21

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We are glad that you are enthusiastic about our gondola proposal. We spent over a million dollars from the private sector to assess its viability. So, clearly, so are we.

I’ve been fortunate to work with world-class companies as well as our own management team and board of outstanding Edmontonians with diverse skill sets to develop an investment-grade business case that balances innovative between tourist experiences and urban transport. This business case includes an independent traffic and revenue assessment by Steer Group, an undisputed global leader in relevant development analysis. Steer’s work later became the basis for a comprehensive business case produced by PwC.

While we sincerely appreciate your interest, I must say that many of the assumptions made in your “back of the napkin” analysis are incorrect. But it’s good. We, too, learned a lot only because we kept an open mind, spent our own money, trusted experts, and simply got the job done.

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Jeffrey Hansen-Carlson, President and CEO, Prairie Sky Gondola

A proper cycle path is needed in the west

There is a lack of safe cycling infrastructure at the west end. Years ago, a dangerous painted bike path was laid out along 95th Avenue that no one used for good reason. But now the city happily does it from 163rd Street to 189th Street.

Here’s why this bike path is important: there are 10 schools with over 6,000 students within a few blocks of this road. Children deserve safe and healthy ways to travel; Misericordia has hundreds of daily employees; The West Edmonton Mall employs 24,000 workers and welcomes more than 100,000 visitors daily; cycling can reduce car journeys and save money, which is especially needed by those most vulnerable to rising costs these days.

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While it’s inconvenient for homeowners to lose a service road, free parking for 29 homes shouldn’t come before a vital, safe and affordable way for people to get around the west.

Josh Thompson, Edmonton

Don’t fall into the trap of victimization

There is simply no doubt about the tactics used by Brian Jean and Danielle Smith in their bid to become our next prime minister. Jean says we should renegotiate our place in Canada. Smith, on the other hand, wouldn’t mind. She would simply ignore federal laws and obligations she doesn’t like.

Hopefully, Albertans won’t fall for this “victimization” scam. A look south at Trump’s world tells us where that leads. We are better than that.

David Verbicky, Edmonton

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