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Potty-parity rights

Re The Next Frontier For Human Rights: The Humble Public Toilet (June 4): Human rights for the transgendered not to have to choose between male and female signs on a washroom door?

What about the right of parents not to have to worry about men entering washrooms where vulnerable young girls are? Or women not to be hassled by men? Or the right to common sense, which got flushed away in this proposal?

Diane Campbell, Edmonton

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Potty parity – the ensuring of equal numbers of toilets for each gender – is just plain potty, as any theatregoer will attest. Behind those locked doors, women attend to far more tasks than simple fast elimination; our clothing tends to require greater adjustment of layers than a quick zip and consequently we take longer.

In France, I have seen rest areas with two lineups of women outside both gender-designated washrooms, using the men's stalls while gentlemen sped in and out to the urinals.

At one notable Ontario theatre many years ago, a group of older ladies attempted a similar move. As my husband headed for "his" washroom, they tried to hold him back, exclaiming, "But there's a lady in there!"

My husband is not easily swayed from his purpose.

Jackie Norris, Dundas, Ont.

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I remember a public facility in Paris with two entrances, but to get to the stalls, women walked by the men's urinals. They then exited and paid a small service charge, while the "service" was free for men. If this is what we can look forward to, we're years behind France.

Philip Russel, Toronto

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Trains in Hogtown

Re Fords Sought City Work For Printer With Family Firm Dealings (June 4): So now we understand. It wasn't so much "Stop the gravy train" as "Divert the gravy train"?

Jill Solnicki, Toronto

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Political police

Re Cops Get Political (letters, June 4): A police officer from Alberta writes that the inherent danger of policing, when compared with more hazardous professions, such as fishing and logging, warrants greater compensation because police "cannot refuse unsafe work" while other workers can.

The efforts expended by police to claim some kind of moral high ground above all other workers in order to justify their extremely high pay is disrespectful at a minimum and is not supported by facts, no matter how much rhetoric is shouted about "dangers and risks unheard of in other jobs."

When compensation is demanded for risks that are radically out of line with other professions and not supported by fact, the only word that fits is political. Margaret Wente is right in her choice of words (The Police Get Political – June 3).

David Kister, Toronto

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If I disagree with Margaret Wente, I can fire off an angry letter to the editor. If a policeman approaches a car, he can get his head blown off when the occupant rolls down the window. Why should we begrudge police their right to be political in this matter?

Cassandra King, Clementsport, N.S.

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On the attack

Re Police Union Takes On Hudak In Attack Ads (June 3): Since it became apparent we were to have a provincial election, I've been searching for a reason to vote for one of the three major parties. I've been very conflicted, seeing three mediocre leaders spouting the same poor rhetoric for months. So I want to thank the OPP union, they made my mind up for me. It is absolutely wrong for them to do this: I will vote PC. To be clear, I have never voted Conservative in my life.

John Morris, Beeton, Ont.

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The Ontario election – I have no dog in that race, thank goodness. I'm still recovering from our election here. However, I do have an opinion on police becoming political. Various police forces have supported politicians and political parties (including former T.O. mayor Mel Lastman and Tim Hudak's PC Party in 2003 when it was led by Ernie Eves).

It would appear to me, an outsider, that when someone criticizes the police for political action, it is because the police represent a view that is different from that individual's view.

Some things never change – even across provincial borders.

Joy Ruttan, Gatineau, Que.

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What does OPP stand for these days? Ontario Pro-Liberal Police?

Terry Toll, Campbell's Bay, Que.

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Can't be serious …

Re Co-Operate With Russia To End This Crisis (June 4): Surely Andrey Grebenshchikov can't be serious. Russia invades Ukraine, and is then going to provide the solution for the unrest and chaos it has caused? Is there no end to Russia's hypocrisy? Does Mr. Grebenshchnikov really believe that Canadians are so naive as to accept Moscow's version of events in Ukraine?

Oh, but wait, according to his title – second secretary in the political section of the Russian embassy to Canada – he is part of Vladimir Putin's disinformation machine. It's his job.

Jury Kopach, Thornhill, Ont.

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Iron ceiling

Among the 100 CEOs in the executive compensation rankings there appear to be all of four women (The Rankings – Report on Business, June 2). Surely the term "glass ceiling" is a gross understatement. Perhaps "iron ceiling" is more apt to describe the exclusion of women from the top ranks of Canadian corporations.

Or is there, perhaps, a gender bias in the rankings in that men are more shameless in their feelings of entitlement when it comes to taking advantage of shareholders?

Ivar Liepins, Toronto

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Vets deserve better

Re Veterans Advocates Say Changes To Charter Would Cut Benefits (June 4): Some lost their legs, others their arms; some their sanity, others their lives. They, their family and friends will never be the same. They, of course, are Canada's veterans.

The pathetic bone the Harper government has thrown them is shameful. Even more so in view of the generous pensions and benefits those in Ottawa award themselves – and whose greatest danger is choking on the feet they put in their mouths.

Our heroes deserve more than empty promises and cynical ads.

Duff Marshall, Swift Current, Sask.

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Name that party (2)

Re Name That Party (letter, June 4): I, too, would like to jump on the bandwagon and start a new party. It could be called the F.U. Party – short for Fed Up.

After the Ontario leaders debate, I'm quite sure that I would get more than a handful of people willing to sign up.

Richard Gretsinger, Ridgeville, Ont.

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