FEEDBACK: What you had to say about the news this week

At the bottom of all of our local stories, readers now have the option of submitting feedback. Here's what SooToday readers had to say about what was making news over the last week:

Jan. 27:

Trucker convoy decides to split in two due to weather

"The Trans-Canada Freedom Convoy to protest against vaccination passports is an unnecessary expense to the truckers and their supporters for something that will eventually happen on its own anyway. The natural progression of a pandemic will soon see the day when vaccines will no longer be required to enter buildings, etc and when masking will become a personal choice.

Thanks to all the unselfish people in the world who chose to get the vaccine and help reduce the most serious risks of COVID, only the most vulnerable populations will eventually be the only priority. Vaccine mandates and required passports are the necessary evil to help us get there. They will continue until they're not needed, which is dependant upon the number of ICU cases.

Thankfully, the selfless acts of all the vaccinated people is what will speed up the process of getting back to some normalcy (aka 'freedom'). We will reach the day, perhaps sooner than later, when vaccines and masks will be a choice rather than mandated.

Yes, the protesters and 'marchers for freedom' will take all the credit when we get there and we can expect to hear a lot of "I told you so!" but that's okay. Vaccinated people know who really made the difference.

In the meantime, truckers and so many others continue to spend their time, energy and money on something that will eventually happen on its own, through immunization, not protests. They could have helped us achieve 'normalcy and freedom' a lot sooner by simply getting vaccinated, at no cost."
- Lorie S. 

Jan. 26:

Province wants to scope out northern Ontario for new hydroelectric power sites

"Interesting, are we going to be on the hook for higher electric rates to pay for this? And only to send the electricity to the USA?

Calgary pays less fixed rate for electricity than Ontario pays at the lowest Time of Use rate. Is there something wrong with our electric rates?"
- Ralph H. 

Jan. 23: 

Freedom Convoy heads to Ottawa; some truckers oppose government’s vaccine mandate

"Vaccine mandates must be denied. We are a free country and we all have our own responsibility to take care of ourselves. The fact that we have this far in terms of vaccine passports and mandates is frightening. I too am vaccinated and I understand that people must uphold their right to choose what they put in themselves.

It’s also alarming how as we are so open to governments controlling what we put in our bodies given the work and strives we have made in the past few years. I think we must be open to dialogue and find a balance that keeps us safe but also doesn’t keep us apart and divided."
- Alex B. 

Jan. 22:

Truckers should have done more to prepare for vaccine mandate, experts say

"Our economy will be severely impacted further with any interruption of truckers. There is already a great lack of drivers as it is in this profession. Government and politicians need to think before they act."
- T.S. 

"This article talks about Canadian truckers only I depend on US trucks to pick up my product and this week I only moved one load because Canada customs turned trucks away even a driver who had both vaccinations but it hadn't been two weeks since his second shot.

U.S. trucks weren't told about the law changes until mid December which wasn't enough time for a driver to get two shots and go the two weeks required to be considered fully vaccinated. You would think they could cut a little slack to the guys who were trying to do the right thing. Instead my business suffers because of over zealous custom agents."
- Mark B.