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w at er lo oc hr on ic le .c a W at er lo o C hr on ic le | T hu rs da y, D ec em be r 2, 20 21 | 8 ABOUT US This newspaper, published every Thursday, is a division of the Metroland Media Group Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Torstar Corporation. The Metroland family of newspapers is comprised of more than 70 community publications across Ontario. This newspaper is a member of the National NewsMedia Council. Complainants are urged to bring their concerns to the attention of the news- paper and, if not satisfied, write The National NewsMedia Council, Suite 200, 890 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M4W 2H2. Phone: 416-340-1981 Web: www.mediacouncil.ca editorial@waterloochronicle.ca facebook.com/waterloochronicle @wlchronicle WHO WE ARE VP, Regional Publisher Donna Luelo Director of Content Lee Ann Waterman Regional General Manager Nelson Parreira Regional Director of Media Heather Dunbar Advertising Representatives Fran Hendry, Katrina Anderson, Jan Bodanka, Matt Miller, Lisa Humphreys, Cassandra Dellow, Zaid Shahabuddin, Managing Editor Robyn Wilkinson Online Editor Loraine Centeno News Editor Ned Bekavac Reporter Bill Jackson CONTACT US Waterloo Chronicle 219 Labrador Dr. Suite 203, Waterloo, On., N2K 4M8 Phone: 519-886-2830 Web: www.waterloochronicle.ca Letters to the editor All letters must be fewer than 320 words and include your name and telephone number for verification purposes. We reserve the right to edit, condense or reject letters. Published letters will appear in print and/or online at waterloochronicle.ca Delivery For all delivery inquiries, e-mail customerservice@metroland.com or call 519-894-3000. OPINION TO LEARN HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR OWN CONTENT VISIT WATERLOOCHRONICLE.CA EDITORIAL CHRISTMAS ISN'T A JOYFUL TIME FOR EVERYONE Christmas season tradi- tions in the West include carol singing, gifts, food, family gatherings, decora- tions, and a Christmas tree, etc. These traditions can be practised in similar ways in other parts of the world as well, especially among people who cele- brate Christmas. Yet, those who come to Canada with those tradi- tions aren't usually coming with their community or relatives and it takes a long time to overcome settle- ment struggles to recreate their traditions again. For newcomers to Cana- da who come from non- Christian backgrounds or Indigenous people, it can be difficult, or even trigger- ing of bad memories, in- stead of celebratory. In almost every culture, celebration means gather- ings, and food. Not having family can turn off celebra- tion mode for everyone. About decorations: I have noticed lately that an- gels and other Christmas characters are mostly white. This can alienate peo- ple, though those who pro- duce or sell the decorations may be unaware of their products' impact on those people. Ken Seiling, the former chair of Waterloo regional council, recently men- tioned that we are a com- munity of stewardship. We care and we can help. We value diversity and inclu- sion, and this season is an opportunity to start. ASMAA COBER, KITCHENER A WAY TO RETAIN UNVACCINATED EMPLOYEES I would like to propose a potential solution for the health service employees who currently are losing their jobs because they are not vaccinated against CO- VID-19. While I believe in the vaccine, it's clear that valu- able employees, who are perhaps misinformed, are being lost. Is there another option? Here is an idea. Why not consider a PCR test two or three times a week, in the office, plant or facility? The cost can be deducted from the employee's salary. Since it costs about $200 a test, this may persuade some employees to get the vaccine instead. Why haven't our govern- ments already mandated this option? LEIGH HOGG, WATERLOO LET'S SPEND LESS ON VACCINES, MORE ON HOMELESS The government can take the money it is spend- ing on my COVID-19 boost- er shots, and reallocate those funds to warm, clean, and safe shelters for my brothers and sisters expe- riencing homelessness. I am sick to death of the pharmaceutical industry's activity surrounding CO- VID-19. Let's spend more money on humans and less money on drugs. DEVON GIRT, KITCHENER LETTERS & COMMENTARY It was strange that the Nov. 23 Liberal speech from the throne was called "Building a Resilient Economy" but quickly skated over the biggest short-term threat to the Canadian economy today: the runaway annual in- flation rate. It leapt to 4.7 per cent in October and left Canadians struggling with year-over-year increases for energy, transportation, shelter and food. And the odds are that it will only get worse by the year's end. Despite all this, and despite the Bank of Canada's dire warnings that we've entered a destabilized economy, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's latest throne speech made just one fleeting reference to surging inflation. What a lost opportunity. Canadians needed to hear a lot more. Granted, throne speeches are always vague state- ments of intent. No surprise then that this week's speech prioritized fighting climate change, beating COVID-19 and bolstering the economy. But Canadians justifiably worried about absorbing successive hits to their living standards need to know this government has a comprehensive, workable plan to help tackle inflation. And it's important to emphasize the word "help." There's only so much the federal gov- ernment can do on its own to fight what is unquestion- ably a global challenge created by COVID-19's impact on supply and demand. That hasn't stopped the opposition Conservatives from trying and identifying inflation as the gap in the Liberals' armour they can target. Even so, the Conserva- tives exaggerate how much federal government policies are feeding inflation -- and how much the Liberals can limit it. Moreover, some of the cures being recom- mended by the Conservatives could make the patient sicker. According to Conservative finance critic Pierre Poi- lievre, the emergency benefits Ottawa paid out to work- ers and businesses hard-hit by the pandemic are driving inflation and need to be cancelled. The Liberals are, in fact, winding down many of these programs. What Poi- lievre needs to accept is that some benefits are still need- ed. Stopping them cold turkey -- and prematurely -- will create new hardships for a lot of people. That doesn't mean the government can't go after in- flation with care. Some of the new programs mentioned in the throne speech, such as universal child care, would help families cope with rising living costs while stim- ulating economic growth. The government would ac- complish even more if it tried to address supply chain constraints and transportation blockages. Of course, the big hitter in the inflation fight is the Bank of Canada -- which does and must act indepen- dently from the government. The bank has signalled an interest-rate hike as early as next April. That change will have to be managed with care by both the bank and the government or else Canadians could walk headfirst into a nasty recession. Inflation, it turns out, is a tough opponent to wrestle down. THRONE SPEECH NEEDED TO SAY MORE ABOUT SURGING INFLATION