Mark Carney makes a statement outside the Office of the Prime Minister and Privy Council in Ottawa on Tuesday.Justin Tang/The Canadian Press
Take the lead
Re “Carney says he and Trump agreed to ‘intensify’ trade talks in phone call after latest tariff threat” (July 22): After decades of working in, sometimes living in and now wintering in the United States, it has become abundantly clear to me that Americans are the most competitive people on the planet. That we are failing with trade talks should be no surprise.
The puck was dropped on Jan. 20, 2025, and what have we done? Complained, signed dozens of memorandums of understandings and paired up C-players such as Mélanie Joly, François-Philippe Champagne and Mark Carney against A-players such as Howard Lutnick, Scott Bessent and Donald Trump.
What does one do when down 4-0? Call timeout and change the lineup. Canada should harness its awesome private sector talent and sub out its career politicians and bureaucrats.
John Budreski Whistler, B.C.
Doug Ford’s catchy slogan of fighting U.S. tariffs “dollar for dollar” is bound to appeal to his voting base and most anyone who wants Canada to fight back at the bully.
For the many people who have a better appreciation of the value of a dollar, it would be more accurate to say “dollar for US$0.70,” which is roughly the recent value of our Canadian dollar. With the U.S. economy being so much larger than ours, a few Canadian dollars missed here and there would be as effective as a mosquito bite on an elephant.
As those of us who work for hourly wages know at the end of each work day: another day, another US$0.70.
Steve Harker Kingston, Ont.
Re “Push back” (Letters, July 23): It’s tough not to stereotype when one reads a letter, critical of Alberta, from a writer in Ottawa. (Much, I suppose, as the inverse applies to one from Calgary.)
Apparently oil is now critical to Canada’s sovereignty and to be a major tool in the tariff war. It’s hard not to imagine a similar person writing a letter only a few short years ago shamelessly admonishing Alberta for its desire to move oil and describing it as yesterday’s commodity. Sunsetting the industry seemed so obvious to all who had the insight to see oil’s fading importance to Canada and the world.
Ironically, now Alberta can’t seem to see its obvious importance to the nation. As an observer from the resting point of the pendulum, it is dizzying to keep track of the swings of its arc.
Dave McClurg Calgary
Personal choice
Re “Trump’s latest tariffs read like a bartender’s shopping list” (July 22): Provincial boycotts of American wine and spirits may be satisfying, but they rob Canadians of their sense of agency and the right to make their own decisions.
Having the option to purchase American products, but declining to do so, would send a much stronger message than mandated boycotts and provide just as much pressure on American producers.
John Seigner Calgary
On paper
Re “Gordie Howe bridge deal appears to contradict Carney’s description of pact with U.S.” (July 23): The deal is titled the Gordie Howe International Bridge Proposed Agreement in Principle. A “proposed agreement in principle” would not appear to be enforceable in a court of law.
It also reportedly states that a profit split will result after the calculation of net revenue after subtracting operating expenses. Although it doesn’t list interest and amortization of the construction loan in its example of operating expenses, it doesn’t exclude them either.
In my business, operating expenses include interest payments as they are an expense. Amortization is also a cash expense.
Therefore, I don’t see how this “proposed agreement in principle” is worth the paper it was written on.
Stan Neathery Ottawa
This letter incorrectly states that interest payments are considered operating expenses, and amortization considered a cash expense for accounting purposes. As neither is true, the premise of the letter is flawed.
Good deal
Re “Ford workers ratify deal bringing 9% raise over three years” (Report on Business, July 20): Labour studies professor Larry Savage says Ford workers didn’t embrace the agreement. They did, by 74 per cent.
He says the union secured “what it could,” when outside of record-setting 2023 wage gains, these are the highest increases negotiated since 1999. He says a minority of members voted no to signal limits on what they’d concede. There were no concessions, only gains.
He calls wage increases “modest,” while annual 3-per-cent raises and cost-of-living allowance provisions compound to far more than 9 per cent. A full-rate Ford production worker will crack $50 an hour during this contract, even before COLA adjustments, plus $12,000 in bonuses this year.
He seems to believe autoworkers are afraid and divided, when we are more united than ever and taking Donald Trump’s trade war head on.
When there hasn’t been much to celebrate in Canada’s auto sector, this contract should be recognized as a clear win.
John D’Agnolo Chairperson, Unifor Ford Master Bargaining Committee; Windsor, Ont.
Jason Del Buono Vice-chairperson, Unifor Ford Master Bargaining Committee; Oakville, Ont.
Action plan
Re “Anxious about the climate? Here are 7 ways to cope” (July 20): We are wisely reminded that the best antidote to feeling overwhelmed is transforming that worry into values-based action. Every one of us can move from passive anxiety to active hope.
That transition can start at home by switching to a heat pump or choosing sustainable transit. From there, our impact can multiply when we step further out of our comfort zones.
Talk about the climate crisis with family, friends and neighbors; join a local environmental group; call or meet with elected officials; support community initiatives; show up at local rallies or events.
Recent polls show more than 85 per cent of Canadians want our governments to take stronger action on climate change. We don’t have to carry the weight of the world alone, and showing up together can give us both purpose and power.
Ray Nakano Toronto
Budding friendship
Re “I never realized how much I needed friends, until I didn’t have any” (First Person, July 14) and “Free solo” (Letters, July 20): A letter-writer is “blissfully friendless.” But one has to ask: Is he really friendless?
He has found “joy and pleasure … interacting with complete strangers.“ I would suggest that what he has discovered is the first step in the natural process of creating friendships. He seems to want the rewards of friendship, but does not want to make the emotional commitment that forms the basis – and, yes, the obligations – of long-term friendships.
He wants his cake without helping to wash up the baking pan and dishes.
W. E. Hildreth Prince Edward County, Ont.
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