August 10, 2008

Dear Minister Cannon,

My name is Piotr Derus. I am finishing a Physics degree a semester early this coming February. I am the leader of an Electric Vehicle Information Campaign in Caledon whose purpose is to inform people of the legal status of fast moving electric cars in Canada and of possible courses of action which can be taken to legalize such cars. I have spoken with ZENN motors, Sylvia Jones, Caledon-Dufferin MPP, Ard Leeuwen, Green Party of Canada candidate for Caledon-Dufferin, Town of Caledon city council, David Tilson, Caledon-Dufferin MP, Rebecca Finch, Liberal Party of Canada candidate for Caledon-Dufferin, and several journalists who have written/will write about me in such newspapers as the Vaughan Perspective and in a soon to be published article in the Caledon Enterprise. All these people have supported my efforts in obtaining information about fast moving electric cars, in helping me contact other people who could offer help, and in publicizing my efforts. Now I am writing to you regarding my concern about the legal status of fast moving electric vehicles in Canada.

On August 7th, Minister Tilson sent you a letter regarding my suggestion that the federal government should amend the definition of Òpassenger vehicleÓ to include highway speed electric vehicles such as the Phoenix electric SUV and the Tesla electric sports car. Such cars reduce the userÕs carbon footprint and thus help Canada meet its environmental goals. As such, I hope that the matter of legalizing highway speed long ranged electric cars is as exciting and important to you as it is for Canadians.

I hope I hear back from you shortly regarding this matter. Thank you very much for your time.

Piotr Derus

November 20, 2007

Dear sirs,

I've recently moved out of the downtown core and am no longer within walking distance of work. Naturally, with so much invested in the TTC and a growing culture of environmental awareness, the natural choice for me is to take public transit.

The problem is that the service is appalling. While the subways are relatively practical, I find that moving of the subway lines is always difficult and time consuming. If these were problems centered only on technical, infrastructure and traffic concerns it would be excusable. Most often I'm finding that the problems with our local transit system are the result of poor organization and a thoughtlessness, often rudeness, in the way the TTC treats it's customers.

Don't think I don't realize just how much money each level of government pays into the TTC, by any means (that's my money too, after all) but this level of slipshod service is totally unacceptable from a publicly owned corporation.

I am hoping that each of you can tell me how your level of government is actively working to provide some basic service standards for TTC clients. As a tax-payer and purchaser of a Metropass at a little under $110 dollars a month I have a right to courteous service with a reasonable amount of speed. It isn't happening. Please tell me how each of you, along with myself, will work toward this goal.

Thank you for your time.
Jason Gracey