Justin Tang/The Canadian Press
Together forever
Re “Yes, Canadians – Albertans do want to stay in Canada" (Sept. 29): Sincere thanks to contributor Thomas Lukaszuk for taking a strong and unequivocal stand in defence of the unity of our country. We should all be in his debt.
One thing the rest of Canada might do is take seriously the issues raised in columnist Andrew Coyne’s new book The Crisis of Canadian Democracy. The dangerous centralization of power in the Prime Minister’s Office, the imbalance of representation across the country and the impotence of individual MPs all contribute to a sense of alienation in the West, as well as a sense of Parliament’s irrelevance in the rest of the country.
May Mr. Lukaszuk’s “Forever Canadian” movement be a resounding success, but may it also lead to a serious examination of the need to repair Canadian democracy for the benefit of all Canadians.
Larry Muller Trent Lakes, Ont.
Walk the walk
Re “ ‘Buy Canadian’ is a slogan, not a strategy” (Report on Business, Sept. 25): Being proudly Canadian is admirable. But the occasional reawakening of our nationhood seems to have limited value.
Traditionally, Canadians lack loyalty. We are quick to criticize and slow to support our homegrown businesses.
As individuals, shareholders, boards, corporate owners and governments, we have a habit of selling companies we have created, and often invested in, for quick profit (or sometimes at a loss). We ignore consequences to labour and skilled professionals.
If a Canadian firm is successful, we are often suspicious; if it encounters a glitch, we pounce. Some of the most notable examples are the Avro Arrow, followed by Nortel and then Bombardier.
While other countries find ways to support their industries, Canadian governments often abandon theirs. The result enhances our drift toward a branch plant economy.
Let’s protect and support our homegrown industries. We urgently need a long-term national business plan.
Joe Foster Ottawa
Steel thyself
Re “Algoma Steel secures $500-million in government loans to help fight trade war” (Report on Business, Sept. 29); Donald Trump’s decision to double steel tariffs may be framed as strategy, but it reeks to me of moral hypocrisy.
If he cracked open one of those bibles he flogs, he might stumble on one of the Ten Commandments: “Thou shalt not steal.” It’s a principle he could take to heart.
These tariffs haven’t revived U.S. steel. Rather, they’ve inflated prices, disrupted supply chains and punished manufacturers. Canadian exporters face shuttered markets and rising costs. The fallout is real; the benefits, imaginary.
Protectionism dressed in patriotism is still economic harm. If trade policy is to be principled, it should start by not stealing from one’s neighbours under the guise of national interest.
James Scarrow Seguin, Ont.
Come on over
Re “Interest from U.S. doctors looking to work in Canada has spiked, but few have made the move” (Sept. 27): Since the 1990s, I’ve heard the complaint we don’t have enough doctors. I was never one to believe in miracles, but after reading this, I believe in them now.
This is a rare opportunity where the federal and provincial governments should all work together to fast-track applications for American doctors and other health care professionals as soon as possible.
To make it more attractive, even offer to pay some of their moving expenses. It would be money well spent.
Doug Payne London, Ont.
Reply all
Re “All at once” (Letters, Sept. 26): Contrary to a letter-writer, I believe individuals can have equal rights only when groups have no rights, because the only way for groups to have rights is at the expense of equal individual rights.
It follows also that an individual has rights only as an individual, not because they are a member of any particular group. In other words, individuals have equal rights in spite of being a member of any group.
The tribalism at the root of the concept of group rights is the bane of civilization.
Mark Tilley Newbury, Ont.
Re “Another shot” (Letters, Sept. 26): A letter-writer believes the Canadian Food Inspection Agency doesn’t know much about the disease affecting a flock of ostriches.
As an architect who worked many years with the CFIA designing laboratories, including ones for biosafety level 3 containment, I can say the agency and its scientists very much know about bird and animal diseases.
They are an agency that protects all Canadians.
Doug Clancey FRAIC, Ottawa
Write on
Re “Businesses, consumers face delays as Canada Post workers walk off the job again” (Report on Business, Sept. 27): When the spend-happy Liberals say enough is enough, then we all know Canada Post needs serious change.
Too bad the union seems oblivious to reality.
Janek Jagiellowicz Waterloo, Ont.
We’ve had a community mailbox since we moved into a new subdivision in the early 1990s.
A community mailbox is still home delivery, since we just go down the street to pick up our mail, not to a post office far away. In some ways it’s even better because each compartment is secure, including a key system for small packages. We can go away for a few days and not worry about anyone seeing our mail accumulate outside our front door.
But mail doesn’t come every day, and we get most of our bills online after the previous strike. I’d like to mail a letter to my cousin who doesn’t have e-mail, but it will wait.
I support Canada Post reorganizing in order to be competitive and profitable to meet the needs of a vastly changed market. The company and government put this off too long.
Janet Wilson Mississauga
Instead of journalling this year, I began writing letters to myself with quiet intention.
To date, I’ve written and received 48 letters. My plan is to bundle them together on Dec. 31 with a beautiful ribbon, a note and a promise to open them on my 76th birthday, 10 years from now.
It is reported that Canada Post may cease home delivery within 10 years. If I’m still alive then, this will probably be my cause of death: not illness, not heartbreak, but the slow bureaucratic demise of home delivery.
As someone who finds intimacy in stamps and postmarks, who believes in the sacredness of ink and envelope, who has been writing and receiving letters for 55 years, this feels like a personal betrayal.
Is it a coincidence? Or maybe a challenge. A dare from the universe to keep writing and keep the mailbox alive, one letter at a time.
Debra Dolan West Vancouver
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