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th ei fp .c a Th e IF P -H al to n H ill s | T hu rs da y, M ay 31 ,2 01 8 | 6 The Georgetown Independent & Free Press, published every Thursday, is a division of the Metroland Media Group Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Torstar Corpora- tion. The Metroland family of newspapers is comprised of more than 80 community publications across Ontario. The Independent & Free Press is a member of the National NewsMedia Council. Complainants are urged to bring their concerns to the attention of the newspaper 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 newsroom@theifp.ca IndependentAndFreePress @IFP_11 ABOUT US The Independent & Free Press 280 Guelph Street, Unit 77 Georgetown, ON L7G 4B1 Phone: 905-873-0301 Classifieds: 905-234-1016 Fax: 905-873-0398 Letters to the editor All letters must be fewer than 200 words and include your name and telephone number for verification purposes. We reserve the right to edit, condense or reject letters. Delivery For all delivery inquiries, please e-mail lpolar@miltoncanadiancham- pion.com or call 905-234-1019. CONTACT US VP, Regional Publisher Kelly Montague General Manager Steve Foreman Retail Advertising Manager Cindi Campbell Regional Managing Editor Chris Vernon Regional Managing Digital Editor Robyn Wilkinson Distribution Representative Iouliana Polar Classified/Real Estate Kristie Pells Regional Production Manager Manuel Garcia Production Shelli Harrison WHO WE ARE OPINION The decision by Kathleen Wynne's Liberals to sell off 53 per cent of the province's share of Hydro One has become a millstone around the party's neck. While the gas plant, Ornge and eHealth scandal, plus the OPP investigations have faded into the background, it is the hydro sell off that has touched an emotional nerve among voters. The decision to sell off the shares and use the $9.2 billion for transit infrastructure and pay down debt may have been a calculated decision in 2015, but it has come back to haunt the party. The partial privatization didn't stop the escalating hydro rates that began a year later. This forced the Liberals to borrow more money under their Fair Hydro Plan in order to cut electricity rates by 25 per cent, and up to 40 per cent in rural areas. The cost to taxpayers, once the plan expires, could be as high as $45 billion. The real consternation during this contentious elec- tion season is that no other party has proposed a sus- tainable solution to Ontario's hydro problems. Doug Ford's Progressive Conservatives, which in the past favoured privatizing Hydro One, have no plan, except to cut an additional 12 per cent in electricity rates on top of the 25 per cent, without telling anybody how they will do it. Ford has also trumpeted firing Hydro One's chief executive officer - the so-called "$6-million man" - and the agency's board of directors which recently boosted its own salaries. It's a move that garners screaming headlines, satisfies the braying masses, but does nothing to solve Ontario's energy concerns. The NDP has a questionable proposal to buy back the 313 million shares of Hydro One, which could take over 20 years, with taxpayers shouldering the financial bur- den. And the much touted Green party talks about shut- tering nuclear power plants, which provide 60 per cent of Ontario's electricity, because of the high cost of opera- tion and upgrades. Instead of calling for executives' heads, the parties should be debating real change such as improving the Green Energy Act; eliminating the Global Adjustment Fund; allowing the Ontario Energy Board to review existing costs; and removing the cap on market value assessment on wind turbines to allow municipalities to reap the revenue benefits. All three parties are to blame for where Ontario's energy is today, but pointing fingers isn't the way to solve the problem. A more sustainable energy model that address climate change and provide appropriate electricity rates will mollify the screaming masses than any symbolic gestures. Power outrage shouldn't be shocking Feral cats' diseases also pose a risk to people First of all, I don't hate cats. I owned a cat when I was young, and enjoy their company when I visit friends and family. However, cats don't belong outside a home since they can spread disease and they kill wildlife. Feral cats - ones that are abandoned or run away, and their kittens - live very difficult lives. They're susceptible to a range of painful diseas- es, including Feline Leu- kemia Virus (FelV), Fe- line Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), Upper Re- spiratory Infections (URIs), heartworm, ring- worm, toxoplasmosis, fleas and others. The diseases cats car- ry can also be passed to pets that are allowed to roam, and to people who come in contact with ringworm and the toxo- plasma parasite when wandering cats urinate or defecate in their yards or play areas. Rabies is also a con- cern. Trap-Neuter-Release has been proposed as a means to control popula- tions of feral cats, but unfortunately, it's not a viable solution. Unless people catch and neuter all of the cats in a community, the re- maining cats will breed and multiply. Since "community caretakers" feed cats af- ter they're neutered, the unfixed cats will join them, providing nutri- tion that will encourage more breeding. This food is also avail- able to rats, raccoons, skunks, and other wild animals that can also carry disease. Allowing cats to roam also threatens wildlife. Cats have been identi- fied as the greatest killer of songbirds, including many species in decline. Feeding feral cats won't stop them from killing birds, as many pet owners can confirm. The only solution is to trap all feral cats, social- ize and adopt out those that can be with hu- mans, and euthanize the rest. I know that doesn't sound like a great solu- tion to those of us who love animals - but allow- ing feral cats to roam free is terrible for them, and dangerous to wild- life and people. Rob Tonus l GET CONNECTED Visit theifp.ca/letters to see other opinions from the local community. • EDITORIAL • • LETTERS & COMMENTARY • Letters to the Editor See what our readers are saying about the issues that matter to them. www.theifp.ca/letters