Alberta separatists rally outside the offices of Elections Alberta in Edmonton on May 4.Todd Korol/Reuters
Rules of engagement
Re “Danielle Smith is playing a dangerous game with her referendum question on secession” (June 1): I’m an Albertan (even my middle name is Alberta). I am also a proud Canadian. I signed the Forever Canadian petition. I do not want a referendum.
It would be expensive and divisive for a province to enact. It should not be an action taken just to appease avid separatists or a Premier who has other designs. They have not earned that right.
Our Premier seems quite confused by trying to keep separatists happy while still working with the federal government to get Alberta’s oil to the West Coast. She is walking a tightrope and I don’t trust her intentions anymore.
I bitterly resent the upset she has caused across Canada. We, the majority in Alberta, do not agree with her raucous decisions.
I am ashamed to think the rest of Canada is giving Alberta a failing grade in supporting the democratic society we have had for so long.
G.A. Teske Sherwood Park, Alta.
Along with all its other shortcomings, Danielle Smith’s UCP government evidently has difficulty with basic English.
“Would you like chicken?” requires a yes or no answer. So does, “Would you like fish?”
But this does not: “Would you like chicken or should I commence the process of serving you fish?” Nor does the grammatical train wreck the government has concocted to probe Albertan views on separatism.
I propose an alternative question: Should the government of Alberta tell Mitch Sylvestre and his Stay Free Alberta gang to pound sand?
Simple. Direct. Unambiguous.
Jonathan Skrimshire Stettler, Alta.
Meanwhile…
Re “U.S. church leader Doug Wilson declares strong support for Alberta independence movement” (May 30): Pastor Doug Wilson declares that an Albertan vote for secession “would encourage all kinds of people” so “freedom of all sorts can flourish.”
However, his agenda includes the establishment of a Christian nation in which he supports stripping women’s right to vote, preference for men in positions of authority and de facto exclusion of those who lead non-Christian lives or adopt non-traditional gender roles.
If this is freedom, it is only for Mr. Wilson’s “chosen people.” For everyone else, it would come with shackles.
The vast majority of Albertans should see in Mr. Wilson the charlatan he truly is.
Paul Tortolo Waterloo, Ont.
Out of time
Re “Performance review” (Letters, May 29): A letter-writer suggests ”this is neither the time nor place to be pushing an environmental agenda."
Pray tell, when is the right time? It was 20 years ago.
The second best time is today.
Barbara Jenks Victoria
All or nothing
Re “Ottawa must move urgently to ban nude deepfakes” (Editorial, May 27): In this era, through presidential executive orders, the United States has effectively shifted from a democracy to an autocracy. Unfortunately, through omnibus bills, Canada seems to be on the same path, albeit in more subtle ways.
Because omnibus bills cover a wide range of subjects, they create a dilemma for MPs. Either MPs pass legislation that would fail if tabled individually, or defeat bills that are desirable. I consider them a deliberate strategy to suppress opposition.
As noted, omnibus bills are cinder blocks: They block debate and turn our democracy into cinders.
Tom Driedger Toronto
By the numbers
Re “At what age are you the most satisfied with your life?” (Report on Business, May 27): It is noted that overall life satisfaction rises in the 60s, 70s and 80s, which is ascribed to good retirement financial planning. Perhaps.
I suspect it is largely because these Canadians no longer work and their time is their own. They are also well supported by Canada’s pension systems and preferential tax treatment.
It should be noted that the Statistics Canada data referenced is from 2016. I suspect it’s quite out of date.
If this life satisfaction survey was done today, there would be significant drops in the 20s through 50s age groups, given the rise in housing prices, job insecurity and cost of living, which is borne disproportionately by those raising children.
I have been a primary care physician for 35 years. I can attest to how generational inequity is leading to worsening health outcomes for children and working-age adults.
Time to start making policy changes to address it.
Mary Peirson-Cabena MD; Guelph, Ont.
Life’s gift
Re “Inside a university anatomy lab where researchers study bodies Canadians have donated to science” (May 27): My mother Claire Drainie Taylor donated her body to the University of Toronto division of anatomy.
One of the last things she said to me, before her death in 2009: “I never got to go to university. Now I will.”
Bronwyn Drainie CM, Toronto
It was September, 1976, when I walked into my first gross anatomy lab at the University of Toronto. I’m sure all of my fellow classmates can remember that day in their own universes of thought. It’s like no other.
We dissected; on another day, the physiotherapists or nurses (I can’t remember which) observed our dissections. And, yes, a couple of students went down on a specific day having to do with the skull and brain.
There were four of us on a cadaver, learning. We spent six months on the abdomen and thorax, then six months on the head and neck. The ultimate gift, given by an unknown person, for our benefit.
Compassion starts with a body. Sometimes alive, and in this case deceased.
A person can make a better world in life, but also in death.
Steven Brown DDS, Toronto
My parents in Edmonton left their bodies to the University of Alberta.
My mother was a teacher during her working life, and we children are proud that her teaching career continued into the afterlife.
My husband and I will follow suit.
Christine Vernon Oakville, Ont.
My darling husband Frank J. O’Hara (April 4, 1926 - Feb. 13, 2020) donated his body to the University of Toronto division of anatomy. It had particularly special meaning for him because he was a U of T graduate. Dealing with the actual fact of it was made as smooth as possible by everyone involved, for which I was very grateful.
Yes, I’ve signed, too, as has my brother. We both hope we will meet the criteria in due course.
In the meantime I’m continuing as a blood donor, something I’ve done since my first year of university. It’s something I hope others will do if and as able.
As my mother Helen M. Raycheba, CM, often said, every little bit counts.
Marion Raycheba Toronto
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