At about $400,000 per unit, these the new Canadian Army Light Tactical Vehicles are expensive, a reader says. You can write us too, at letters@ottawacitizen.com
Army vehicles seem lacking
Re: Canadian Army’s new trucks come up short: U.S. report, Aug. 7.
The pictures of the new Canadian Army Light Tactical Vehicle show no doors nor a top, and a half-windscreen. I pity the poor soldiers who will have to travel in this contraption during winter training or travel from CFB Valcartier to CFB Gagetown for training. I still remember my winter training at -40C in Valcartier.
In 1976, the Canadian Forces procured over 3,000 Commercial Utility Cargo Vehicles as an interim purchase in lieu of a Standard Military Pattern truck. These were to be used for six years, but we had them for 18 years. I was the fleet manager during their later years and finding parts was a major problem.
They were replaced around 1994 by a military truck designed by Iveco, a division of Fiat, mostly known for its lack of reliability. These Iveco trucks are due for replacement and I hope that the CF will get a better product than the one mentioned in the article. There are plenty of Toyota trucks on dealers’ lots.
Rémi Guertin, Carlsbad Springs
Back to the office
Some federal workers and their unions don’t want to comply with Treasury Board’s direction on prescribed presence in the workplace with a full implementation date of Sept. 9, 2024.
Instead of using the media to voice groundless grievances, the unions should encourage their members to cooperate. The employer’s expectations are not unreasonable. I also believe the unions were involved in some way, representing employees.
The employer has the obligation to finally do what they are doing and employees have the obligation to comply. If they are not happy, then quit and find work elsewhere.
Denise Polson, Metcalfe
Transpo mini-pass could work
Here’s an idea for Mayor Sutcliffe. Most civil servants will be going to the office three days per week starting in September. Why not come up with an OC Transpo pass for three days a week, ideally at 60 per cent of the cost of a full pass ? That would bring back thousands of riders.
Don Grant, Ottawa
Re: Capital Pride’s pro-Palestinian message, Aug. 8.
Pride’s attack was baffling
There’s no “I” in team and apparently there is no “J” in LGBTQ+, according to Capital Pride. Its statement on the Middle East conflict is a direct attack on Ottawa’s Jewish community, many of whom have marched with the LGBTQ+ community and have actively supported Capital Pride. For a community that has fought so hard for the principle of inclusion, it baffles me that their leaders have chosen exclusion as their new direction.
Wayne Moore and Kayla Estrin, Ottawa
Selective criticism
Re: Capital Pride’s pro-Palestinian message, Aug. 8.
At last count, 64 countries in the world criminalize homosexuality, some of which enforce the death penalty. Yet Capital Pride chooses to make a statement about Israel, which hosts a Pride parade and recognizes same-sex marriage?
Leah Geller, Ottawa