Letter: ELA and Anti-Drought Convention

Right Honourable Prime Minister,

I strongly oppose two recent moves by your government to close the Experimental Lakes Area and pull Canada out of the UN Anti-Drought Convention. Research in the environmental sciences is of an all-time importance and these decisions run counter to an informed and evidence-based approach to determining policy and governmental response. That this is becoming a hallmark of your administration is gravely concerning. 

In the interest of good and informed governance, please reverse these decisions. 

Tal Henderson

Toronto-Centre

cc\

Honourable Bob Rae, MP Toronto-Centre and Liberal Party Leader

Honourable Thomas Mulclair, Leader of the Opposition

Honourable Elizabeth May, Green Party Leader

High Speed Rail Sweet-Spot

This article on Slate discusses a recent, fictional map of high-speed rail in the US by Alfred Twu that has rejuvenated discussion on the topic. The most interesting point to me, though, was this:

Experts who study light rail often mention a “sweet spot” of between 100 and 600 miles for high-speed rail corridor trips. Shorter than 100 miles, and a rider is more likely to want to take a conventional train, a car, or a bus. Longer than 600 miles and a rider is better off flying.