Today's letters: The ByWard Market still isn't a safe place

Friday, July 21: A longtime busker explains why he has moved to other city locations. You can write to us too, at [email protected]

Published Jul 21, 2023 • Last updated 8 hours ago • 3 minute read

A panhandler approaches people for money in the ByWard Market recently. Photo by Tony Caldwell /POSTMEDIA

ByWard Market not at all safe

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I am a longtime classical flute busker in Ottawa. For four decades I have enjoyed bringing live classical music to both Sparks Street and The ByWard Market. I have enjoyed communicating through music with tourists and locals alike.

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Some time ago I suspended busking in ByWard due to constant threats, verbal and physical, from indigent street people, drunks and addicts. I have had garbage thrown at me. One addict smoked some crack cocaine in the York Street garage stairwell, then came down, knelt before me and lit his beard on fire.

I gave up when another addict attempted to extort funds from me saying “we’re all in this together and things would be happier if you were to share.”

For a time I believed in the BIA and city’s statements that security had been improved in the ByWard, and it was true, but alas it has lapsed. One week ago I was threatened with “cutting” in The Market Square by a drunk when I stopped playing for his inebriated “dancing.” “Play for me, respect me or I’ll cut you,” he said. Security was all at the market desk having a joke fest and did not act.

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I have not been back.

Council has not solved the ByWard Market’s addict/thief problem in any way. Sadly the downward spiral continues.

Thomas Brawn, flutist/busker, Orléans

Cancer drugs: speed up approvals

Re: We can, and must, speed up approvals of drugs to fight diseases such as cancer, July 13.

The article by Dr. Gerald Batist struck home as I am sure it did for anyone diagnosed with melanoma or pancreatic cancer. It is absolutely urgent to have access to new drugs and treatments. There is research and data completed that indicates highly effective outcomes.

Chemotherapy treatments may control and stabilize cancer but they come with devastating toxic side effects and they do not cure.

Governmental regulators must accelerate the approval process for new targeted drugs and immunotherapies, which the oncologists desperately need to treat their patients and save lives. Please get this done.

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Brenda Stewart, Arnprior

Domestic violence must be stopped

Regarding the rise in domestic violence: There is no one solution to this social problem.

More shelters must be built. It is unacceptable that women are being turned away due to lack of spaces. There must also be sufficient qualified staff to address the increase in domestic violence. As well, there must be more volunteers to assist staff in delivering much-needed programs.

It is well and fine to stress the importance of education. Women need to know where to go, and what programs are available. But one cannot overlook the importance of meting out consequences for undesirable behaviour. There must be a greater willingness to bring charges against alleged offenders. After all, education does not stop them from committing and continuing to commit offences.

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Peggy Coupland, Ottawa

K.C. awards just brazen

What kind of minion would hand out King’s Counsel designations to all members of the Ontario cabinet who are lawyers, or to Caroline Mulroney, who has never practised law in Ontario and was only called to the Bar a few days before the election?

Answer: the kind who realizes that he will not be chastised for doing so. A strong ethical leader would have created an environment where such brazen behaviour would not even be conceived.

So good for the Premier, for he “is an honourable man //So are they all, all honourable men — ” (Shakespeare). “Oh, such a parcel of rogues in the nation” (Robert Burns).

Hugh Reid, Ashton