Edmonton Letters Spark Debate on Human Empathy and Municipal Fees
In Wednesday's edition of the Edmonton Journal, readers contributed passionate letters addressing two distinct but pressing issues: the philosophical question of empathy toward perpetrators of violence and practical concerns about municipal fees affecting local businesses.
The Empathy Debate Following Tumbler Ridge Tragedy
The correspondence opens with a response to Geoff Russ's February 12 opinion piece titled "Don't Humanize the Shooter," which addressed the February 13, 2026 mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia. Russ's editorial argued against empathizing with killers, suggesting that to humanize shooters is to normalize evil.
Letter writer Debra Gillett of Edmonton challenges this perspective directly. "I waited, thinking someone more erudite than me would comment," Gillett begins, before presenting a counter-argument that humanizing and empathy are fundamental to our humanity.
Gillett contends that contemporary political discourse often dehumanizes marginalized populations, framing them as "problems to be managed" or "threats to stability" rather than as full participants in civic life. This approach, she warns, risks eroding empathy and undermining the shared dignity essential to democratic societies.
"No definition of humanize or empathy affirm his suggestions of normalizing evil," Gillett writes, emphasizing that explanations of evil have their place in moral accounting but shouldn't preclude understanding a "distraught young woman who believed she had few choices."
Restaurant Industry Challenges Patio Fee Implementation
The second letter shifts focus to local economic concerns, with Jim Pernsky of Edmonton questioning the city's decision to impose additional fees on restaurant patios. Pernsky notes the struggling state of the restaurant industry both in Edmonton and across Canada, asking why this sector should bear additional financial burdens.
"What does that say about the city who have decided to burden the industry with an additional tax?" Pernsky questions, suggesting municipal leaders may be unaware of the challenges facing these establishments.
The writer specifically challenges the justification for patio fees, asking why budget shortfalls have come to rest on restaurant patios. "The patio season encourages patrons to visit their favourite place, but I can see patios being shut down," Pernsky warns, indicating potential negative consequences of the new policy.
Pernsky concludes with a direct challenge to city officials: "Prove to Edmontonians that your figures are based on real economic decision-making and not some fantasy world." This demand for transparency and evidence-based policy reflects broader concerns about municipal governance and economic support for local businesses.
Community Engagement Through Letters
The Edmonton Journal continues to provide a platform for community dialogue through its letters section, inviting submissions of up to 150 words that include full names, addresses, and daytime telephone numbers. This tradition of public discourse allows Edmonton residents to engage with both national tragedies and local policy decisions, maintaining civic conversation across diverse topics.
These letters demonstrate how personal perspectives can illuminate larger societal questions, from the nature of human empathy in the face of violence to the practical realities of municipal economics affecting everyday businesses.
