Chow's Silence on Antisemitism Draws Criticism
In a letter published June 30, 2026, Marjie Zacks of Thornhill condemns Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow for what she describes as a lack of action against antisemitism in the city. Zacks contrasts Chow's strong reaction to a report on driving safety—calling it 'horrifying'—with her silence on Jew hatred that has persisted for nearly three years since Oct. 7, 2023. The letter highlights incidents including synagogues being shot at, Jewish residents taunted in their neighborhoods, and roving gangs of paid agitators disrupting traffic with hateful chants. Zacks states, 'Since Oct. 7, 2023, the mayor has been totally absent when it comes to support for the Jewish community. That is worthy of the term horrifying.'
Water Crisis: A Proposal for Indigenous Communities
Another letter from Larry Sylvester of Acton, Ont., responds to Lorrie Goldstein's June 21 column 'Down the Drain.' Sylvester notes that Canada holds 20% of the world's fresh water yet still has 38 of 194 long-term water advisories—about 20% remaining. With an estimated 1.8 million Indigenous citizens, he calculates that 360,000 still lack drinkable water. Assuming two people per household, he suggests 180,000 individual wells are needed. At an estimated $15,000 per well for drilling and a treatment system, the total cost would be about $2.7 billion. Sylvester argues that eliminating 10% of federal civil servants in Ottawa could cover the expenditure, concluding, 'I want to have this done and over with. Then, Indigenous people should be self-sufficient for drinking water.'
