The wreckage of an Air Canada Express jet that collided with a ground vehicle at New York's LaGuardia Airport is shown on March 24.Shannon Stapleton/Reuters
Way out
Re “Air Canada learned nothing during the five years since its last French scandal” (Report on Business, March 31): Michael Rousseau may be an empathic, warm and understanding individual on a personal level, with his feelings in the right place. However, he was acting as a CEO of a public organization in a politicized environment.
What I found missing in the responses from both him and the Air Canada board were two critical skills required of any organization’s leadership, especially in a very public sphere: emotional intelligence and political intelligence.
The consequences from how the communication was handled should have been anticipated.
Stephen Flamer Vancouver
Two pilots lost their lives. We made the story about something else: ostensibly ousting a CEO over a communication misstep in a statement made in one language.
Michael Rousseau made a mistake. Canada is a bilingual country with both English– and French-speaking communities.
But two pilots lost their lives. That is the story. Instead, the focus shifted to Mr. Rousseau’s words, then his job, then his eventual exit.
What are we doing? This was not negligence or misconduct. It was an omission in a high-pressure moment.
Yet this is what has held a nation’s attention, including its leaders.
Mary Fearon Founder and CEO, OnPrpose; Burlington, Ont.
With ease
Re “India proposes trusted traveller program to ease access to Canada for Indian businesspeople” (Report on Business, March 25): As Mark Carney moves to modernize strategic Canada-India relations, the proposal from India’s high commissioner to Canada for a “trusted traveller” program is a welcome and pragmatic step toward resolving visa bottlenecks.
Many Canadians with deep ties to India who have served in law enforcement or military roles, even in civilian or administrative capacities, frequently encounter significant barriers when applying for Overseas Citizen of India cards or visas. While security is a paramount concern for both nations, the lack of a streamlined, vetted pathway for these families turns routine travel to visit aging parents into a logistical marathon of repeated renewals and long passport holds.
Extending a similar prescreening process to these Canadians would be a meaningful extension of the partnership. Formalizing a practical approach for family travel would further protect the human and cultural ties that serve as foundations for a successful bilateral relationship.
Neera Ritcey Halifax
Biting critique
Re “How the Northwest Territories became a dentistry desert” (March 26): It is a tragedy that we have children, adults and seniors living in Canada without reasonable access to primary dental care.
This is a clear example of how funding early intervention, prevention and, when necessary, dental service is more efficient and cost-effective than the outrageous amounts of money spent on air travel and accommodation. The pain, inconvenience and stress for families must be challenging.
It is time to build proper dental clinics with all of the necessary equipment in the communities mentioned. There should be a collaborative and thorough conversation with dentists and dental assistants to make this work.
Indigenous Services Canada has numerous important questions to answer. Where is the accountability?
Brenda Bell Kelowna, B.C.
Hard no
Re “Should Canada follow the U.S. in letting banks take more risks?” (March 26): The one thing we learn from history seems to be that most people learn nothing from history.
In the 2000s, U.S. banks took on more risks with subprime mortgages. Then-finance minister Paul Martin saw all of this happening and correctly figured it would end badly, so he made sure Canada didn’t make the same mistake.
When U.S. banks inevitably collapsed in 2008, Canada experienced a recession but still was spared the worst of the fallout. So the answer is no, we shouldn’t let banks take more risk.
If the United States takes this path, I see one bright side: There could be some good buys again. In the aftermath in 2009, I scooped up some good stocks dirt cheap such as Bank of America.
Doug Payne London, Ont.
Fixer-upper
Re “Memo to the PM: Fix 24 Sussex now” (March 27): The dilapidated state of 24 Sussex should be an insult to all Canadians.
Successive governments have been aware of the situation but have done nothing to rectify it. Extensive renovations and upgrades to the security systems are desperately needed to make it habitable. Estimates range upward of $40-million.
There has been some discussion of a total knockdown and an entire new build. This would not be an insignificant dollar figure but a pittance compared to the projected cost of US$400-million for the construction of a White House ballroom.
Most Canadians agree it is an embarrassment that our Prime Minister is not to be able to entertain or meet with foreign dignitaries and leaders in a suitable official residence. Stop the talk, get out the shovels, and let’s get started.
Michael Gilman Toronto
While Donald Trump is editing the White House, as in a frivolous ballroom to the tune of US$400-million, we are afraid of public backlash for even rodent removal from our Prime Minister’s home.
Shame on Canada; a beautiful residence reflects our role in the world.
Jane Crist Collingwood, Ont.
I was a young, wet-behind-the-ears RCMP constable fresh out of training when I was assigned to the detachment guarding 24 Sussex. That was in 1970.
As I pass by today, it looks like the front door and building where I spent considerable hours have not changed one iota. This should be a national disgrace.
It is not the building that is historic, it is the address: 24 Sussex, like 10 Downing or 1600 Pennsylvania. Tear the building down, have an international design competition and build a new home at No. 24 for the Prime Minister and his successors.
Put this project at the top of the files at the Major Projects Office in Calgary. I don’t care how much it costs.
Bruce McDonald Ottawa
Lunch and learn
Re “Yes, I still make my teenager’s school lunch, and here’s why” (First Person, March 23): When my youngest child graduated from high school, I was excited there were now no more school lunches required.
It wasn’t just making the lunch, it was having all the interesting ingredients at home. That was biggest part of the problem.
When I told my daughter at the end of Grade 12 about the thrill I felt to see the end of school lunches, she commented, “You were never very good at them.” I did not disagree.
She now lives in her own home and is a terrific lunch-maker herself, despite having been deprived of a decent lunch during her school years.
Benita Loughlin Vancouver
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