Prime Minister Mark Carney greets troops during his visit to Adazi Military base in Latvia in August.Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press
Out of the box
Re “Carney’s confusing budget exemplifies the politics of quadrangulation” (Nov. 7): But really, “quandrangulation” is just describing politics: the art of compromise and being all things to all people, as well as the targeting, boutique policies and art of the possible.
In a heterogeneous democracy, there is often little room for purity. And anyway, purity is usually the bailiwick of the radical right and left, and it hasn’t served either very well.
All of which are why most sensible people would never run for public office – and also why we should be grateful that people of such high calibre as Mark Carney are willing to enter public life, despite all its messiness.
Brian Green Thunder Bay
Spend wisely
Re “Ottawa, stop trying to use military spending to juice the economy. It doesn’t work” (Report on Business, Nov. 10): Canada’s track record of dysfunctional and directionless defence procurement is presented as evidence that Mark Carney’s defence budget will not stimulate the economy, implying that the government simply intends to throw more money at the same failed practices.
However, the centrepiece of the Carney strategy is massive procurement and industry reform, including substantially expedited project timelines, red tape reduction and the prioritization of Canadian suppliers, workers and intellectual property. Most importantly, the Carney strategy would provide industry with sustained multiyear certainty on future procurement, instead of the practice we’ve seen of sporadic, ad-hoc and bespoke small-batch orders.
The strategy also aims to leverage public and private capital to grow industry and companies, particularly those that provide “dual-use” products, services or infrastructure for civilian use in the private market. These factors should be determinative to any conclusion on the economic effectiveness of Mr. Carney’s defence budget.
Rob Ibrahim Ajax, Ont.
While it’s true the Canadian military has for years been underfunded, it’s also clear to me that military leadership has consistently come up short in professionally managing the monies at their disposal.
Our country’s sheer geographic size represents a major presence in the world, but we are a military and economic middle power of moderate influence. Any investment should reflect this reality.
Begin by not trying to be all the things a military mind can imagine. Narrow our focus to only a few select areas of expertise and proficiency.
Edward Carson Toronto
Scientific method
Re “How much are MPs entitled to know about research grants? Not as much as they think” (Nov. 4): As a Canadian, I expect my government to continue to promote the best scientific practices, the best scientists and the best peer reviewers regardless of name, sex, race, age, disability status and languages spoken.
This is the kind of investment we need in the scientific community. This is what we have worked for, what is equitable, what we need to be competitive and what we need for nation-building.
This is what we need to protect and fight to keep.
Irene Roth Toronto
On MAID
Re “Advance requests for MAID ‘generally supported,’ national consultations find” (Oct. 30) and “Human spirit” (Letters, Nov. 5): A letter-writer opposes medical assistance in dying. That’s her right, of course, and mine to choose it.
My husband and I discussed and agreed on the matter. In 2012, at age 90, he suffered from chronic lymphocytic leukemia – he was bleeding from all orifices. He and I and a family friend went to emergency, where he was asked if he wanted a blood transfusion. We both agreed no.
He spent the next five days in palliative care, where I and other family members visited. The last night, I was there all night. In the morning, a kind nurse helped him to die with an injection.
Many patients consider it a reasonable end. We should have that choice.
Helen Hansen Guelph, Ont.
Our family experience is that it is the aware and conscientious, not the most vulnerable, who choose medical assistance in dying.
When a family member was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer, he chose the best palliative treatments possible to extend his life. When those options were exhausted, and the future promised increasing weakness and constant pain pumps, he opted for MAID.
The orderly way he was able to go about making provisions for his family, and the pleasure he took in various “lasts,” was a continuation of the gentle, competent person he was. Being with him at the end was a revelation: He was confident that he was doing the right thing for himself and his family.
While health care exists to promote life, it also behooves us to know when it can’t do more. MAID, then, is the furthest thing from “heartless.” It is caring, gentle and, yes, optimistic.
Elizabeth MacRae Toronto
It was edifying to read that so many Canadians support advance requests for medical assistance in dying. This support comes with acknowledging there are sensitive and important details that need to be hammered out.
Consulting the public in this manner, on an undeniably sensitive issue, is a laudable practice. One hopes this will continue as staff at the justice and health departments refine details of improvements to MAID legislation.
For anyone who fears a catastrophic illness or accident rendering them incapable of choosing how they wish to die, allowing advance requests could serve to ease that anxiety. With the runway getting shorter for a large segment of the Canadian population – boomers – now is the time for our elected officials to keep step with the majority’s wishes for personal autonomy at the end of life.
Mary Anne Cecutti Toronto
Etched in history
Re “Public historian Tim Cook told compelling stories about Canada’s soldiers” (Obituary, Nov. 8): I was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Tim Cook. Although he was just nearly 54, he had firmly established himself as one of Canada’s most readable, preeminent and authoritative military historians.
I hasten to add that he was also a kind, caring gentleman. He freely shared his encyclopedic knowledge with those who contacted him to ask vexing questions about our military heritage – even armchair historians. I know this from personal experience.
Several times in recent years, I contacted Dr. Cook in the hope he might be able to help me make sense of a befuddling question. Invariably, despite a busy schedule and other demands on his time, he would answer my question quickly and completely.
With his passing, I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels they’ve lost their go-to source on Canadian military history. However, that’s inconsequential when all Canadians have lost a national treasure.
Ken Cuthbertson Kingston, Ont.
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