Not so fast, donors
The past week's outpouring of aid to Haiti has been gratifying. Canadians have responded quickly and generously even before being exhorted to do so by Friday's media events. ( Canadian Entertainers' Haiti Benefit Raises $9-Million - online edition, Jan. 24)
But before we congratulate ourselves and return to our lives, remember that although we are good at responding to horrific events such as tsunamis and earthquakes, our record of "being there" for the long haul is abysmal. Canada has done little in working toward the UN's Millennium Development Goals. The percentage of our gross national income going to overseas development assistance languishes around 0.26. Even though other northern countries such as Norway (0.87) and Denmark (0.84) have managed to commit long term, Canada has not.
So, a little less back-patting, folks. We may have good hearts from time to time, but sustained commitment to global development - the kind that might go a long way in preventing or ameliorating such disasters? Not so much.
Barbara Jenks, Victoria
A national shame
Re Canada's Man in Iran (Jan. 23): There's a big difference between trying to free hostages and becoming "de facto station chief" for the Central Intelligence Agency, as Ken Taylor did. It's no wonder that such a national shame has been hidden for 30 years.
Ian Angus, Vancouver
The carbon tax we didn't get
Jeffrey Simpson writes that the notion of a carbon tax was killed in the last federal election ( Many Albertans Agree: A Carbon Tax Was Best - Jan. 23).
Stéphane Dion's policy was unacceptable to me, and probably to many Albertans, because it used the good rationale for a carbon tax with the objective of redistributing the proceeds of Alberta's energy sector to Canadians in more vote-rich provinces through programs completely unlinked to energy efficiency. If proposed as a true tool of a wider set of policies to bring the country into conformity with international expectations of environmental stewardship, I believe it would have been much more widely supported.
It would indeed be sad if this one flawed foray into the idea of a carbon tax prevents Canadian politicians from exploring this useful tool.
Madeleine King, Calgary
Someone mention prorogation?
I whole-heartedly agree that it is time for "Parliament to be restored to its position as the ultimate sovereign body for Canada," as your editorial says. ( Time To Stand Up For Parliament - Jan. 23.) Reining in prime ministerial power and revisiting the legislative rules governing prorogation is a good start.
But both issues, crucial as they are, pale in significance next to the real dilemma facing the diminution of parliamentary supremacy, namely, the tendency of our post-Charter courts (especially the Supreme Court) to routinely strike down and amend statutes duly enacted by Parliament. It is the proclivity of unelected judges to effect change from the bench that has done more to undermine the dignity of Parliament than the actions of any politician. Canadians have come to understand this elemental truth of how we are governed, which is why the public's reaction to the prorogation is as muted as it is.
Patrick Keeney, Kelowna, B.C.
............
Perhaps further reflection should be given to your proposed changes to the checks and balances in our government.
Giving more power to Parliament presupposes it would be exercised with "maturity and judgment." History, particularly recent, should give pause to that assumption. A case in point was the attempt by Parliament last year to install, without an election, a coalition government manifestly unwanted by most Canadians, arguably an action as undemocratic as any prorogation. Absent the Prime Minister's prerogative to seek prorogation without Parliamentary approval, there would have been no check or balance to stop this process.
To meet their intent, checks and balances have to work both ways, and maturity and judgment must be demanded of all institutions of government.
Allan McLellan, Halifax
............
The debate over prorogation has largely missed the point. It is not parliamentary reform that is required, but the amendment of Section 67(4)(c) of the Canada Elections Act, which gives the leader of a political party a veto over the nomination of candidates. This section, coupled with the cumbersome and non-parliamentary method of choosing party leaders, explains the domination of party leaders - and especially prime ministers - over members of parliamentary parties. If this section of the Elections Act were repealed, it might embolden some members to openly criticize their leaders. And if, before a government could be commissioned, Parliament had to meet to choose the person who would head the government, prime ministers would need to be less autocratic and more accommodating.
In short, Parliament works well; it is just that the role, selection, powers and obligations of the prime minister are not constitutionally specified. Stephen Harper, and probably Michael Ignatieff, have good reason to keep it that way.
Campbell Sharman, adjunct professor, department of political science, University of British Columbia
No parole for death
Re Canadians Take Fresh Look At Capital Punishment (Jan. 22): I might agree that someone no longer deserves to continue in life and breath, but I prefer to live in a society that, in the matter of the ultimate penalty, errs on the side of humanity.
Dr. Richard Barrett, Calgary
............
The late, great George Carlin said all that needs to be said on this subject: "If it's morally wrong to kill anyone, then it's morally wrong to kill anyone. Period." No wrongly convicted person would ever be put to death, and no one would ever be asked to kill on behalf of the "state."
Scott Calbeck, Thornhill, Ont.
Routine should be iced
It this the 21st century? Can skating officials and VANOC actually be allowing what could only be called a blackface routine by two Russians? ( Russian Ice-Dance Routine Falls Out Of Step With Natives - Jan. 23)
Will the television networks actually run this travesty? Is it considered acceptable to demonstrate fulsome disrespect to the aboriginal peoples of Australia, not to mention millions of first nations and aboriginal peoples around the world?
In an event being broadcast to billions of people, Canada had best ensure that this country at least stands up for respect to the indigenous peoples of Canada and worldwide.
Kathi Avery Kinew, Winnipeg
If the banks lose, America loses
At the end of the day, bad lending practices cannot be legislated away," Brian Milner writes. ( Inside Obama's Plan - Jan. 22) Indeed - bad lending practices were legislated by the U.S. Congress, which mandated that lending to unqualified applicants be enshrined in American banking practices. The banks are being inappropriately punished for obeying the law.
In taking on Wall Street, Barack Obama is embarking on a dangerous path. Banks are integral to the capital formation process. By restricting their ability to raise capital, the President risks hastening the slow decline to middle-class economic power status. Undoubtedly, the Chinese, the Brazilians and, yes, the redoubtable Canadians are rubbing their hands together in gleeful anticipation.
James Robblee, Ottawa
Little things like 'process'
According to former U.S. ambassador Paul Cellucci ( Brown Rode A Wave Of Discontent - Jan. 23), many Americans assert that "suspected terrorists do not deserve the same rights as American citizens."
Such as "innocent until proven guilty"? Thanks for the warning, Mr. Cellucci.
Robert Cox, North Vancouver
Not dead, just resting
Toronto transit union president Bob Kinnear tries to deflect the blame from his employee caught napping on the job to the rider who captured the moment for eternity but failed to make sure the man was okay ( Union Defends Supposed Sleepy TTC Worker - Toronto edition/online, Jan. 23).
How could anyone think that a man with his hands folded neatly on his belly, head tilted back and mouth ajar could have just had a heart attack or aneurysm? I used to find my father in the exact same position in front of the television every night growing up, and I'm happy to report that he's still alive and well.
Eric Vellend, Toronto
Torch replay
The Canadian Olympic Committee claims trademark protection from the Canadian Congenital Heart Alliance's logo: an upside-down heart burning in a hand-held torch ( Heart Group's Torch Symbol Burns Canadian Olympic Committee - Jan. 22).
The modern Olympics ostensibly derive from the Greek victory over Persia at Marathon, from where the soldier Pheidippides ran the 26 miles to Athens to proclaim the victory, whereupon he collapsed and died. Since his demise could well have been from cardiac arrest, the COC's grievance against the CCHA seems - well, heartless.
James Black, Calgary