Prison, defenestrated?
At his bail hearing, Conrad Black's lawyers asked that the former media baron be allowed to return to Canada (Conrad Black Freed From Jail - July 21).
A small problem: He is not a Canadian citizen, having given it up in a fit of petulance when he wanted to become a British Lord. Being a convicted felon wouldn't help his eligibility for permanent resident status here, either. Oh lordy, what to do now? Apply for refugee status?
Sigmund Roseth, Mississauga, Ont.
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"Defenestration": a word Conrad Black once used that led some to characterize him as arrogant, self-absorbed, elitist and deserving of his imprisonment. Well, that bird has now flown the coup, leaving him looking more the literate prophet than the penned-up pigeon. Where some only see bars, others see opened windows.
Mark S. Rash, Winnipeg
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While the sentencing and incarceration of Conrad Black offered a glimmer of the justice system fulfilling its useful course, the former media baron's release on bail Wednesday certainly signalled a Black day in July. Looks like new lyrics for Gordon Lightfoot's venerable song are in order.
Catherine Shearer-Kudel, Oshawa, Ont.
Painted-by-numbers logic
In Wednesday's paper, immediately below another round in the Conservatives' plan to undermine the integrity of the Canadian census (Provinces Rally Against Ottawa As Anger Over Census Mounts), we learn that, according to Statistics Canada, crime is on the decline (Canada's Dropping Crime Rate). This is precisely the type of census information the Harperites don't want to face, especially when the article suggests the reasons might be demographic rather than get-tough policies. If none of that demographic information were available, deluded Canadians might believe that get-tough policies actually work.
Robert Irish, Burlington, Ont.
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Statistics not only allow us to internally reflect as Canadians, but to compare ourselves to other nations, and contribute to global data to help make national and global strategies for a sustainable and healthy future. To degrade the value of this process and the information gathered is akin to sticking our heads in the sand.
Meaghan McLaren, MD, Baltimore, Md.
Fight-and-flight response
So Air Canada spokesman Peter Fitzpatrick thinks Porter Airlines CEO Robert Deluce really wants to fly Air Canada because he "must like the services Air Canada has" (Porter CEO Sues Air Canada Over Loss Of Free Travel - July 21). Here's another theory: Mr. Deluce has flown Air Canada enough, that he makes sure Porter Airlines treats passengers like human beings, makes money and is not a drain on the taxpayer. A toast to Porter and its excellent service.
Gary Walter, Ajax, Ont.
Go after why, not what
I am appalled by your decision to publish Confessions Of A Wal-Mart Voyeur (online, July 21). Peter Cheney doesn't visit Wal-Mart to take advantage of the low prices, rather, he enjoys the "free carnival sideshow" it provides. He mocks the physical appearance of Wal-Mart staff and customers: The Wal-Mart greeter with "the build of a prize hog being fattened up for a 4-H competition," wearing a Wal-Mart apron with "extra-long strings." Mr. Cheney makes sure to tell us that not only the "morbidly obese" shop at Wal-Mart; he points out the "hillbilly skinny" look as well.
In passing, Mr. Cheney refers to Wal-Mart's reputation of "making profits on the backs of cheap foreign labour and its own low-skilled staff." It's a shame he decides to pass on the opportunity for intelligent reflection on this subject and others - why are Wal-Mart customers overweight? Why do Wal-Mart greeters all appear to come from "old folks homes or physical rehabilitation units"? - and instead settles for fat jokes.
Chelsea Matheson, Montreal
Birthday killjoys
Are you serious? Counting the bacteria transfer from blowing out candles on a birthday cake (Five-Second Rule? Try Zero Seconds, Pal - Life, July 21)? Food scientist Paul Dawson's research ensures that a new wave of children's birthday parties will be dip-free, candle-free and, most certainly, fun-free. Why don't we just tape our kids in bubble wrap, spray them with disinfectant and keep them inside? On second thought, does bubble wrap contain BPA?
Kate Soles, Victoria
Chilled by wage freezes
The Globe editorial board claims public sector wage freezes are necessary to address Ontario's fiscal woes and preserve public services (Time For Realism - July 20). And it is true that public services should be maintained at all cost. After all, despite record corporate profits, private sector investment is lagging while public sector investment remains the only engine propelling the economy. But if the Ontario government is truly concerned about funding public services, it should aim higher than trimming public sector wages. A public sector wage freeze would only save Ontario $375-million a year, whereas a reversal of planned corporate income tax cuts would preserve what will be over $6-billion in lost revenue by 2013.
What the Ontario economy does not need is a freeze on already stagnant public sector wages - creating even less disposable household income at the same time as the new harmonized sales tax drives up the cost of household staples. If it is truly "a time for realism," it is the provincial government and the corporate sector that need to take a more realistic and balanced approach to our fiscal situation.
Paul Moist, national president, Canadian Union of Public Employees
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The Globe might be better advised to report the actual size of wage settlements, rather than the number of years during which public sector wage settlements have exceeded those of the private sector. Statistics Canada data reveal that, from 2004 to mid-2009, wage settlements involving 500 or more employees were 0.2 per cent lower overall in the public sector than in the private sector. From 2000 to 2003, they exceeded those in the private sector by 2.5 per cent, but this did not make up for the 1990s, during which they were 6.5 per cent below their private sector counterparts.
Public sector workers have seen some gains. Since 2000, their wage settlements have exceeded inflation by almost 6 per cent overall. But this is slightly below the average increase in median earnings for full-time, full-year workers within Canada as a whole. It barely makes up for the ground lost to inflation during the 1990s.
There may be good reasons to cut public sector pay. But union wage settlements would not appear to be one of them.
John Godard, professor, industrial relations, University of Manitoba
Stiffen resolve, not joints
The projection that one in five Canadians is expected to develop a form of arthritis by 2031 is staggering, especially considering that in 2008, arthritis cost the health-care system an estimated $7.7-billion (Burden Of Arthritis Gets Heavier For Canadians - July 20). Given the breadth of Canadian scientific expertise focused on research into arthritis - investigating the causes, the potential targets for treatment, improving early diagnosis and concentrating on disease prevention - and our record of innovation, surely the time is long overdue for the federal government to invest significantly in a targeted research strategy to "beat arthritis." Current research funding is woefully inadequate. Investment in research and innovation is the only enduring way out of crisis - and, yes, the burden of arthritis has reached crisis level in Canada.
Eleanor Fish, director, Arthritis & Autoimmunity Research Centre, University Health Network, Toronto
Would that today's politicians ...
John Turner should devote his time to erecting a statue to Canada's greatest parliamentarian - Charles McDonald (Let's Give R.B. Bennett His Place On The Hill - July 19). McDonald was elected as the Liberal MP for Prince Albert in 1925 (defeating John Diefenbaker) but resigned to open up a by-election for Mackenzie King, who was defeated in his own riding. A decade later, King repaid the favour by naming McDonald as a senator - although he died before taking his place in the Red Chamber.
Charles McDonald is the only person to serve in both houses of Canada's Parliament and not say a word in either one. Would that today's politicians followed his example.
Paul Park, Ottawa
Gasp in unison
Toronto residents miffed at the derogatory tourism ads should host Niagara Falls theme parties (Niagara Ads Poke Fun At Toronto, But City Not Laughing - July 21). Don raincoats and paddle around the swimming pool in a canoe while being sprayed by a roof-mounted garden hose. Gasp in unison.
Those without pools should sit on the floor and allow a sink to overflow. Watch it in slack-jawed wonderment.
Coat family pets with wax and pose them as historical figures, then attempt to coax passers-by into paying $20 to gawk at them.
Box wine and small-stakes gambling should round out the festivities.
Brian Beckett, Nepean, Ont.