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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, Ju ne 28 ,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 historic vote at the senate is over and Canada is poised to become the first industrialized country to legalize marijuana for recreational uses. Starting in mid-September, it will no longer be illegal to purchase and consume recreational weed. In Ontario, what legalization will look like is still up in the air. Under Premier Kathleen Wynne, the Liberals com- mitted to opening 40 government-controlled stores this year, with a total of 150 by 2020. Premier-elect Doug Ford said during an election de- bate that pot would be sold at LCBO stores, but had pre- viously hinted at a preference for a private market. The smoke needs to clear on which way he intends to go. A key aspect of this business is Ottawa's plan to allow users to grow up to four plants at home. This is an attempt to assert some control over grow- ers of small amounts for personal use, but it is problem- atic. Asked about the issue last week, Ford said the ques- tion of whether to allow users to grow pot at home will be up for discussion with community leaders and stake- holders. He might want to include some meetings with the Canadian and Ontario real estate associations. Legitimate concerns are being raised by landlords, with respect to the potential impact pot growing could have on their assets and on property values. One landlord says he is worried about mould, fungus, increased electricity costs and a greater fire hazard. "Four plants is enough to cause considerable damage to a house," he said, adding insurance companies won't cover that damage. No doubt, many apartment managers are less than thrilled at the prospect of having to deal with pot smoke in their buildings, as well as the residue in their units. Both Quebec and Manitoba have banned homegrown plants. While Ottawa did its due diligence in the lead-up to drafting the legislation, it did not go far enough in dic- tating the parameters for safe cultivation of weed in homes. Protection is needed, not just for landlords, but for tenants affected by the growth and use of marijuana by others in their building. Another issue: if a home-grower wants to sell weed, who's to stop them? We don't know yet what Ford is going to do. But those pot users buzzed at the prospect of growing their own plants might want to temper that enthusiasm. There are legitimate reasons for banning marijuana cultivation in private homes. Should province allow homegrown pot? Drivers need to stop at signed intersec- tions As the roads get con- gested, drivers become less patient because they are constantly at a com- plete stop. It is no surprise today that a driver honked at me, the sole pedestrian at a four-way stop sign inter- section, and made hand gestures/angry facial ex- pressions. They seemed to sug- gest my presence on the pedestrian crossing at the four-way stop sign was not welcomed. Just a reminder that trips and falls can happen that is why cars need to come to a complete stop at stop signs. Summer is coming! C. Lin Feeding squirrels is far from natural I have hiked all over in the wilds, doing a large part of the Bruce Trail, other Ontario trails and global trails as well. Seeing squirrels in the wild is actually some- what rare and when seen, it is usually near some wild source of food such as an acorn tree. Spotting them in a day's outing on the trail is certainly less frequent than seen in my neigh- bourhood, so I have a mi- nor issue with those that say feeding squirrels is part of living in the natu- ral world. Currently, we are hav- ing issues with squirrels stripping the bark off of ornamental trees, dig- ging out soil in planted flower posts and freshly sown grass, etc. But, of course, I live in a neighbourhood where some feed birds but do not pay the extra expense for the squirrel-proof feed- ers. Even with my squirrel- proof feeder, I note some birds are picky about what they eat, and often toss out seeds, thus the at- traction of doves and oth- er birds too large for the typical feeders. I am trying hard to be a good neighbour with those using feeders open to squirrels or hand feed- ing them as well, but I am also looking the other way from those insisting on taking them to a drive in the country, equally in- appropriate. My simple preference is for a more natural envi- ronment, not a zoo where one can buy peanuts from a machine to feed the ani- mals, even animals kept out of my yard by over- crowding. But please stop having people assume the feed- ing of squirrels by hu- mans is part of the natu- ral world, as city life for a squirrel is very highly competitive and unnatu- ral in terms of the unnat- ural population allowed. Try living in a city with nine million naturally. Jim Mottin l MORE ONLINE See all our published letters to the editor online at theifp.ca • EDITORIAL • • LETTERS & COMMENTARY •