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OPINION Mulcair had to go Thomas Mulcair lacked a political leader's greatest gift: an intuitive ability to read the public mood. Going into last year's federal election, voters were weary of 10 years of Stephen Harper and his floundering economic policies. They didn't like his disengagement from the eco-initiatives sweeping the world either, or his icy manner. They wanted change-- something bold, someone at the leadership helm infused with enthusiasm. But Mulcair wasn't that person. He positioned his party to look a lot like the reactionary Harper, including a call for more fiscal belt-tightening. All the touchstones of NDP policy-- green energy, enriched social programs, even deficit financing-- were either ignored or buffed to a soft edge by the stodgy Mulcair. Into this ennui entered a leader on a white steed with a killer last name: Trudeau. Justin Trudeau was the anti-Harper/Mulcair: a telegenic, engaged and likeable personality who was backed by a party platform that urged a bold approach to economic renewal. Mulcair was applying the brakes just as public sentiment was eager for speedy change. Ironically, Mulcair was ousted from his job as leader at a gathering in Alberta, the province now ruled by the NDP. Its leader, Rachel Notley, was the benefactor of some much-needed change in the oil patch. Getting outflanked by the Liberals' progressive agenda still irks the NDP hierarchy. It seemed like the party was poised for a potential power grab in 2015. Mulcair's exit is another cautionary tale about leaders becoming too cautionary during an election cycle. It smacks of someone with bad instincts. The glib David Peterson took the voting public for granted in 1990s Ontario and was bludgeoned in the polls by Bob Rae and his merry band of socialists. The problem for many leaders is in knowing the proper time to act, or react. Trudeau's bold approach carried the day; Mulcair's caution was horribly timed. Now the NDP seems split-apart by the Trudeau sweep. The NDP must return to its roots and elect a leader who can boldly propel them into the future. The Independent & Free Press is published Thursday and is one of several Metroland Media Group Ltd. community newspapers. Editorial and advertising content of The Independent & Free Press is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. The Independent & Free Press is a member of the Ontario Press Council, which is an independent ethical organization established to deal with editorial concerns. 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Go to www.theifp.ca and click on `Newsletter sign-up' at the bottom of the homepage. Thursday, April 21, 2016 - The IFP - Halton Hills - www.theifp.ca We must live in harmony with the animals in our community Letters to the editor recently been caught in the area with distemper. This situation is unacceptable. Diseases and animals do not confine themselves to public land. Every suspect animal should be capImagine our surprise when no one in tured by town authorized personnel and Halton Hills would collect a seriously ill tested, whether on private or public land. raccoon lying in our backyard in Glen Our Town should cover this as a matter of Williams. public safety. Sunday morning we tried several different numbers. Bett Leverette, The best advice we got was from Glen Williams the Toronto Wildlife Centre, who has received numerous calls from the Georgetown area because there is a distemper outbreak in the wild right here in our hometown. She suggested that if the animal Letters must include the author's name, moved from the backyard to public address and daytime phone number. land in front, then someone might Anonymous letters will not be pubcome and get it. lished. Letters should not exceed 150 So yes, we moved a diseased animal, words and may be edited for content very carefully to public land and called and/or length. Publication is the Town's Animal Control again and not guaranteed. said we had a rabid animal in front on Email: cvernon@metroland.com public land. Mail or drop off: Independent & Free Sure enough they came quite quickPress, 280 Guelph St., Unit 77, Georgely. town, ON., L7G 4B1. He confirmed that four others had There's a problem with sick raccoons The Independent & Free Press RE: Town should deal with dangerous animals, April 14. I wonder what animals does Debra Hayes feel threatened by? The species of wild animals, skunks, opossums, raccoons, even coyotes are not normally dangerous. Wild animals only become dangerous if they are starving or if they feel threatened. Rabies is very rare. Wildlife is important to nature and to the environment. It would be irresponsible to get rid of animals. It would be more advantageous to learn about the nature of the animals and learn to live in harmony with them. Eileen Hutcheson, Acton Letters Policy Page 6