Sammy Kogan/The Canadian Press
Welcome?
Re “Reverse course” (Letters, Sept. 9): I say no, it is not Canada’s responsibility at this time to take in Russian dissidents. Canada’s priority right now should be Canada.
Sydney Sharpe West Vancouver
I urge Mark Carney to respond expeditiously to this request for asylum.
I strongly support the courage of the late Alexey Navalny, who heroically gave his life for the democratic opposition to Vladimir Putin, and for the continuing courage of opposition by his widow with other Russian leaders and supporters.
It is certainly in keeping with Canada’s tradition and values to consider asylum protection for Russians dissidents who are in danger of deportation to Russia and facing serious consequences.
Carol Vignale Delta, B.C.
In better times, it might be shocking to see the United States deporting Russian freedom fighters.
But in the world we live in, Canada should step in to welcome these dissidents. To not do so would be to indirectly support U.S. policy.
Albert Berry Toronto
Peace offering
Re “Canada providing $3-million in humanitarian aid for Afghan earthquake victims” (Sept. 6): I applaud Canada’s response to this request for relief.
An amount of $3-million sounds significant. How much did Canada spend on military activities in Afghanistan? Britain, the Soviet Union and most recently the United States (along with Canada and other nations) have all attempted to overthrow Afghan regimes and failed miserably. Overwhelming military power hasn’t been able to defeat this nation.
The world has an opportunity now to engage Afghanistan in the name of peace. Guns didn’t do it. Generous relief may open some doors.
Bill Stinson St. Albert, Alta.
Who’s in, who’s out
Re “The NDP remains an unserious party for a serious time” (Sept. 9): Don Davies states that the minimum signature requirements for NDP leadership race nominations are about “inclusion,” yet the policy is framed using exclusionary language: “members who do not identify as a cis man.”
A simple adjustment to identify who must be included, versus who must be excluded, seems like an obvious fix. And though it may make internal discussions less comfortable, perhaps the NDP should hire an outsider for its communications team, someone not a member of the club of exclusively like-minded individuals.
The NDP believes the best outcomes are achieved with diverse teams; maybe they just need to exercise that belief a little more themselves.
Ellis Barefoot Toronto
Jail time
Re “Carney will introduce legislation next month to tighten bail system” (Sept. 6): I sincerely hope Doug Ford plans to increase funding for Ontario’s corrections system if he is so sure that bail denials should increase, and appears to have successfully lobbied the federal government to enact changes to the Criminal Code to effect that outcome.
Ontario judges have repeatedly noted the grossly overcrowded, deplorable conditions in Ontario jails, where technically innocent accused individuals who have been denied bail are housed prior to trial.
Perhaps Mark Carney should be more hesitant to listen to criminal justice advice from a Premier who continually repeats that the “Young Offenders Act” also requires change – that legislation was replaced by the Youth Criminal Justice Act in 2003.
Paul Atkinson LLM; Peterborough, Ont.
Stalled out
Re “Auto sector’s benefits outweigh canola industry’s, Ontario think tank says” (Report on Business, Sept. 4): In the debate about Canada’s 100-per-cent tariff on Chinese electric vehicles, the managing director of the Trillium Network for Advanced Manufacturing questions the magnitude of the contribution of the canola industry to Canada’s economy.
He notes that the auto sector directly contributed $19.2-billion to Canadian GDP in 2024, compared to the canola sector’s $5-billion. However, most vehicles produced in Canada are gasoline-powered. EV production is small, and the industry has no obvious path to growth despite pledges of $57-billion in government subsidies.
By contrast, Canada’s canola sector is significant and internationally competitive. It provides a livelihood to 40,000 farmers who have already lost tens of thousands of dollars each due to Chinese retaliatory tariffs.
Constance Smith Victoria
Re “Auto industry welcomes change to EV sales mandate” (Report on Business, Sept. 6): Electric vehicle sales in Canada are expected to be 179,839 for 2025, then reduced slightly in 2026 due to fewer purchase incentives. Expected gas-powered car sales call for about 1.8 million in 2026.
Being generous and planning for 200,000 EV sales next year, having that be 20 per cent of overall sales means that gas vehicles would have to be limited to 800,000, a curbing of sales by as much as one million.
Ottawa’s move to drop the mandate, then, is neither brave nor astute. It avoids the political suicide that would come with telling one million Canadians they cannot buy a new car unless it was an EV.
John Budreski Whistler, B.C.
Across the board
Re “Without reform, Ontario’s elected school boards face inevitable death” (Sept. 4): I have worked in education my entire career.
Over the last 12 years of my career, I spent many evenings at board meetings explaining curriculum and rationale for board initiatives. As educational consultants and superintendents, we had to convince board members that spending on certain programs was worthwhile and beneficial for students.
It seemed ironic that we needed to almost beg for them to financially support programs such as French immersion, music, computer programming and art. The board also made decisions about removing books from the English curriculum its members had not even read.
These “elected” officials are often acclaimed. I find they rarely have expertise regarding curriculum expectations or pedagogy, yet make major decisions. It seems to me there are other ways to build liaisons with parents than having these trustees.
I hope the Ontario government can come up with a new plan. Put students and teachers first.
Bonnie Carter Barrie, Ont.
Makes the save
Re “Ken Dryden was a national hero. Now that he’s gone, he has no replacement” (Sept. 8): “My conscious mind goes blank. I feel nothing, I hear nothing, my eyes watch the puck, my body moves – like a goalie moves, like I move.” I got chills reading this Ken Dryden quote.
I played goalie from ages 12 to 27. I’m 70 now.
Two years ago, having not played in 40 or so years, I was walking up Yonge Street on a windy day when a young man’s hat flew off, coming toward me. No thinking involved; 40 years later, I stuck out my right foot sideways, my two arms out left and right, like a blocker and catcher. I stopped the hat with my right foot.
Mr. Dryden summed it up perfectly.
Steven Brown Toronto
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