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Blowing up the thought of nuclear
Re: Kenney inks small-scale nuclear energy deal, April 15
Premier Kenney, don’t purchase a nuclear lemon! Aggressive advertising and marketing techniques by small modular reactor (SMR) startup firms are paying homage to multi-level advertising and marketing schemes — a way of urgency, zealous enthusiasm, wishful considering trumping market forces, and pie-in-the-sky guarantees of fabulous wealth, however provided that we first sink billions of our personal {dollars} into it.
SMR startups are American. So why the pitch to Canadian politicians? As a result of, not like the stricter U.S. nuclear regulator, the Canadian Nuclear Security Fee is perceived as being lax in the direction of SMRs. Notably, it needs to exempt these untested units from environmental evaluation.
Surprisingly, conservative-leaning Alberta and Saskatchewan premiers would each promote the fantasy, particularly since nuclear energy is inherently socialist in nature. It’s referred to as “Lemon Socialism” by Yale economist Mark Cooper, environmentalist Ralph Nader and others. That time period means nuclear can’t exist with out huge limitless monetary subsidies from taxpayers, then in the end a number of favoured personal firms reap any belongings and earnings, whereas a soured public is caught with the radioactive liabilities, the ‘lemons.’
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David Geary, Saskatoon
Vaccine eligibility is senseless
Amid the eye centered on the AstraZeneca vaccine rollout, the AHS quietly expanded vaccine eligibility to correctional facility inmates. Because of this the youngsters accused within the dying of Calgary police officer Sgt. Andrew Harnett are actually eligible for vaccination – forward of Sgt. Harnett if he had been nonetheless alive. That simply isn’t proper.
Cheryl Storrow, Calgary
Feds have to construct a greater housing coverage
Re: Trudeau may simply be getting began on tweaks to cease housing bubble catastrophe, April 21
As soon as once more the federal government tries to manage the housing market by limiting who can afford to purchase a house to solely these with higher center class and above incomes. As an alternative of inspecting insurance policies that limit housing provide.
Sad with the foundations
My spouse and I personal an previous cell residence in a gated senior’s park within the Palm Springs space. In November we determined that it might be as secure there as Calgary to isolate for the winter. Whereas there, we obtained a COVID vaccine. As required, we had a take a look at that proved unfavourable earlier than our return flight.
Upon arrival in Calgary, we stood in a crowded line for 2 and a half hours for an additional take a look at. We then took a crowded shuttle to our internment lodge. Though we paid over $720 for our necessary keep, we stayed simply 20 hours earlier than getting our unfavourable outcomes again. Snowbirds driving residence from the U.S. weren’t compelled to lodge quarantine. Since we’ve got a house in Calgary, we may have quarantined there, and are doing so.
Each different returning snowbird I talked to has nothing however anger and contempt for the chief of our nation and his authorities.
Disregarding constituents
Re: Councillor burns household’s need to rebuild dream, Opinion, April 23
When Counc. Druh Farrell isn’t squandering the general public purse on her vainness initiatives, it’s edifying to see the disregard of her constituents as she heads to her departure from public service.
Given her historical past of lecturing Albertans on the finer factors of bungling capital initiatives, re Farrell’s Folly, it’s unsurprising to learn her tone-deaf recommendation to a household struggling after a private and monetary catastrophe.
A wonderful reminder of how divorced you’re from the considerations of the hoi polloi you declare to serve so diligently.
Bruce Chrumka, Calgary
The place is the take care of a struggling household?
I’m appalled on the therapy the Shim household obtained from Coun. Farrell as described on this column. Ideology trumping compassion.
Peter Andrekson, Calgary
