Today’s letters: The Military Police Complaints Commission should not complain

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Contrary to what the chair of the Military Police Complaints Commission (MPCC) states in the commission’s annual report, the MPCC does not have a legislated “oversight” role over Military Police activity. The National Defense Law clearly limits the commission to receiving and reviewing complaints about the actions of individual members of the Military Police.

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Furthermore, the MPCC is only required to provide an annual report to the Minister of National Defense on the activities of the “Complaints Commission”, not to provide a more general criticism of the activity of the Military Police. The minister must then present the report to Parliament. There is no provision, anywhere, for the commission to provide recommendations to the Provost Marshal of the Canadian Forces, or to heed them.

The MPCC should focus on its limited work of reviewing complaints about individual military police personnel and leave the broader issue of professional oversight of the Military Police to the established chain of command.

James Cox, Ottawa

City paralyzed by sledding hill

Issue: City will spend $150,000 to figure out how to make Mooney’s Bay Park hill safe, May 1.

This article strongly illustrates a huge problem in the city of Ottawa. The city, once again, is paralyzed in making very simple decisions due to past bad decisions or lack thereof.

The city left steel posts lining this popular sledding hill. That sledding occurred here was known to everyone. Unfortunately, it took a death for the city to spring into action.

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Immediately after the sleigh’s death, the city removed the poles involved. Funny how that had never entered his thinking before. Now the city is once again entrusting the responsibility to an external consultant. Could this be planning for the future by deferring blame if problems arise?

It’s a sledding hill, it’s not difficult. Fill in trees and posts at the edges, remove anything that people might hit at high speed, choose a location that has a level offset… check.
A smart addition would be a second, less challenging area for younger sledders.

It’s time for the city to start acting like the multi-billion dollar organization it continually brags about being.

Ian Stewart, Ottawa

Thanks to those who fixed me

After a catastrophic fall backwards on the paved (gardening) path, I was brought to the Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus with a multi-fractured left pelvis. Other problems, such as hemoglobin and high blood pressure, required stabilization and an excellent group of professional medical team members allowed me to recover more quickly.

I would like to especially thank Dr. Roy and Dr. Huang, along with all the other medical staff (nurses, physical therapists, etc.) for helping me return home safely. The food was excellent, contrary to what you hear.

Although there are problems with hospitals and OHIP in general, when you need care, they are there when you need it most.

Marianne Wightman, Manotick

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