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American way
Re “America may not have needed revolution to become the ‘Empire of Liberty’ ” (Opinion, July 4): It is asserted that there was no Canadian equivalent to the “ruthless Indian removal policy of President Andrew Jackson during the 1830s.”
James Daschuk’s 2013 book Clearing the Plains: Disease, Politics of Starvation, and the Loss of Indigenous Life, about Canada’s treatment of Indigenous peoples after 1867, is not pleasant reading. He estimates that the Indigenous population of the Prairies fell by 40 per cent during the 1880s, thanks to a government policy of malign neglect of mass starvation and illness.
American historians estimate that about one-third of Indigenous people driven out of the Southern states died along the Trail of Tears under Jackson. I don’t see the difference.
Adil Sayeed Toronto
Re “Canada is as much a product of the American Revolution as America is” (July 4): History and years of polling have shown we are more communitarian, co-operative and grounded compared to the U.S. obsession with rugged individualism, rags-to-riches stories and the almighty dollar.
The United States has spawned and embraced robber barons, toxic corporatism, tech oligarchs and, right now, authoritarianism with alarming results. Yes, there is much greatness that we have noted, absorbed and benefitted from, but also overreach that we have managed to defend against.
America has a long shadow and we are much safer when we see it and keep marking our own path, also successful, in our Canadian way.
Sheila Petzold Ottawa
Grounded
Re “Toronto’s island airport should be allowed to grow” (Editorial, July 4): This treats the Billy Bishop airport jet expansion as a business case, but Toronto’s waterfront is not a spreadsheet.
In one of the country’s most densely populated urban centres, the loss of public space, the Toronto Islands natural parklands, and the everyday quality of life for residents cannot be dismissed as manageable conflicts. These are core civic assets of immeasurable value that make Toronto livable.
Not every decision should be reduced to projected passenger counts and investor appetite.
Steven Baum Toronto
While I disagree with the expansion of Billy Bishop airport, I am willing to listen to a solid business case.
But I am not willing to be steamrolled and disregarded by our elected representatives, whether provincial or federal. If they think they know better, they should prove it. The residents of Toronto and all citizens of Ontario deserve that much.
Doug Ford should make his case, if he has one.
Karin Treff Toronto
Winners and losers
Re “Canada has shown growth through this World Cup, but there’s still work to be done” (Online, July 5): Canada’s soccer team tied a game that we should have won (Bosnia), lost a game that we should have tied (Switzerland), and won two games against clearly inferior opposition, one of which (Qatar) also managed to self-destruct. The first half against Morocco was an exceptional performance, followed by a second half which exposed the gap still to be bridged to compete against the world’s best. For coach Jesse Marsch to say at the end of the game that Canada was the better team against Morocco borders on gaslighting.
Thrilling though it was to see Canada advance to the World Cup round of 16, this article provides a much-needed reality check.
Andrew Graham Toronto
Re “Alphonso Davies’ confusing absence cost Canada when it mattered most” (Opinion, July 4): Let’s face it, Jesse Marsch and Alphonso Davies let us down. With a clear MRI, and in Canada’s most important soccer match ever, wild horses shouldn’t have kept Davies off the pitch.
Rudy Buller Toronto
Lighting a fire
Re “For camp counsellors, summer fun can come at the cost of burnout and overwork, advocates say” (July 4): As a former camp counsellor, I was disheartened to read the recent piece on burnout among camp counsellors. While I absolutely support employee wellness in the camping industry, the opportunities those positions provide our youth are invaluable. In my current role of training future cardiologists, I often tell my trainees that working at overnight summer camp provided me with a number of skills and experiences that were very applicable to my life as a physician in Canada. I hope our youth today recognize the tremendous opportunities these jobs provide.
Dr. Jeremy Adams Burlington, Ont.
With honour
Re “The Right Honourable? More like wrong honourable. Why honorifics don’t serve Canadian democracy” (Opinion, July 4): As our southern neighbours plunge into what can only be described as “dishonorifics” (“Sleepy Joe,” “Crooked Hillary,” etc.), perhaps the honorifics we use in Canada can be seen as something to expand, not reduce.
At my secondary school, students and teachers alike are addressed by their last names. In my Latin class, I call my students by the title dominus or domina, while they call me magister.
At first I thought there was a starchy formalism about this custom. But what my headmaster described to me is what I think could apply to Canadian citizens, too: Honorifics are a way to inspire and elevate, not worship or flatter.
This is why I wish we referred to all our fellow Canadians with more honour, rather than pull politicians down to our level.
Lewis Sherman Vancouver
Price of health
Re “Not all rising health care costs stem from an aging population. What else is driving the increase?” (Opinion, July 7): While it is true that our aging population places greater demands on health care, there are other factors at play.
We provide expensive new procedures that were not available before. New medications are transforming previously deadly diseases into chronic but manageable conditions. We live longer and suffer less, which is good, but this leads to higher costs.
There is no magic bullet. We should invest more to promote healthier lifestyles. Medical practitioners should also take the lead in developing new models of health care. Innovation is the key. For example, we don’t need physicians to do things that qualified nurses can do. Similarly, we don’t need professional nurses to do work that licensed practical care workers can do.
Tony Manera Ottawa
A comedy gem
Re “The 100 best Canadian films ever made” (Arts, July 1): Once again, The Globe and Mail surveys the nation’s films and once again it excludes Canada’s greatest comedy: Perfectly Normal. A veritable anthem to roughing it in the bush, beer, hockey, opera and grudging customer service, Perfectly moreover offers the cinema’s most astute financial advice. Not to be missed.
Mark P. Menlove Kingston
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