Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks with U.S. President Donald Trump at the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France on June 16.Pool/Getty Images
Whole new world
Re “Canada signs agreement with Australia to deliver early warning Arctic radar system” (Report on Business, June 22): This deal is certainly a sign of the times.
Previously, such a massive military infrastructure purchase would have almost certainly been awarded to a company or consortium from the United States, our NORAD ally. But economically rewarding a country whose President frequently insults Canada and threatens to take us over against our will should always be a non-starter.
It’s past time to engage with our real friends.
Ron Hartling Kingston, Ont.
Re “USMCA heads into unpredictable new phase with no extension likely” (Report on Business, June 20): With Canada on the back foot with Donald Trump on so many fronts – steel, autos, aluminum, softwood lumber, the Gordie Howe bridge, USMCA talks, etc. – perhaps it is time to put our elbows up and call his bluff, like Iran did.
We export roughly four million barrels per day of oil to the U.S. and supply around 25 per cent of feedstock used in U.S. refineries. Iran got Mr. Trump to capitulate without exporting a single barrel to the U.S.
Imagine U.S. gas prices if we stopped those exports, or even threatened to do so. There is risk: We would need to prepare for short-term pain and the Alberta Premier would need to show she is truly a federalist.
But are we a serious country or not? U.S. midterms are coming up and Mr. Trump’s regime is vulnerable.
Otherwise, we might as well throw in the towel and join America.
David Ross Canmore, Alta.
Population problem
Re “Outflow of temporary residents drives drop in Canada’s population for third consecutive quarter” (Report on Business, June 18): I have zero confidence that Statistics Canada’s claim of our population dropping is accurate.
Its sister department Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada apparently has no idea how many temporary residents and foreign students remain in Canada despite visas expiring. The number is estimated in the hundreds of thousands.
We are only now attempting to fix the mess, most certainly at enormous cost to us taxpayers. We’ve welcomed millions of people to Canada over the past 15 years with seemingly minimal oversight or strategy other than providing cheap labour for companies that should be employing Canadians.
We shouldn’t need to rely on immigration to boost our population in the first place. Make homes and other costs of living far more affordable for young Canadians, so they feel more optimistic about their futures and that it’s a good idea to start families.
Let’s work with what we have and make it better.
Graham Farrell Toronto
Next for MAID
Re “Crucial decision in MAID debate looms” (June 20): My husband John Clark died Sept. 22, 2020, at age 60 of glioblastoma. He had chosen medical assistance in dying.
He was a radiologist who understood his diagnosis intimately and expressed his intention to choose MAID from the outset of his diagnosis that January. He worried that as the cancer progressed, he could lose his capacity to consent.
While it was hard for our family to help arrange the details of his death, I believe the ability to choose MAID gave him control when faced with losing everything.
I am glad, though, that discussions continue about appropriate boundaries for MAID approval. In 2020, treatment options for glioblastoma were limited.
Greater focus and funding for brain research, including a variety of mental health conditions, slowly bring new advancements to light and, in future, could eliminate the need for MAID for some of these conditions.
Marsha Copp Toronto
Modern society still fears death, especially the idea that a person should have freedom to choose the manner and timing of one’s own death.
In the debate about extending medical assistance in dying to mental illness, we should acknowledge that even the most advanced psychiatric care has significant limitations. If all avenues for treatment have been pursued with little evidence of success, a rational adult suffering from mental illness should be free to make a choice.
Where is the dignity in suffering needlessly? Safeguards ensure that such choices are made without duress or pressure.
In Canada, we are privileged to enjoy many freedoms. Surely such freedom should continue at the end of life.
We need not fear that such a choice would put pressure on others who feel differently. Indeed, we may be comforted that there can be choice at such a time.
E. Robert Langford MD; professor emeritus, faculty of medicine, University of Toronto; Victoria
Bandage ban
Re “U.K. announces social media ban for children under 16″ (June 16): The idea of banning social media for people under a certain age feels like a feeble attempt to impose a flimsy, largely symbolic solution to a firmly entrenched technological problem.
Young people are notoriously creative and motivated when it comes to finding ways to break rules. These restrictions will likely lead to innovative evasions and mild disrespect for stupid laws and the stupid people who make them.
Parents already have many available options to contain this issue: Unplug the Wi-Fi; don’t purchase data plans for children’s phones; set device-based screentime limits; restrict one’s own use of social media; spend time together.
Use the power parents have to be loving defenders of children’s well-being, even when it makes them look like the bad guys. It is much stronger medicine than a highly reactive, poorly considered Band-Aid prohibition.
Ryan Kinrade Victoria
Canadian spirit
Re “Give Canada a mulligan for going overboard with World Cup win celebration” (Sports, June 20): To this column on why players, coaches, fans and the Prime Minister should temper their enthusiasm about the success and team spirit of Canada’s World Cup team, I would respond with one word: buzzkill.
Mary Ellen Chown Oakville, Ont.
Maybe it was over the top. Maybe we are getting ahead of ourselves.
Except that, the day after our historic win, I endured several hours of unhinged American jingoism before, during and after the U.S. defeat of Australia. The hysteria was hard to watch.
Apparently the U.S. team is now unstoppable. There is every expectation of winning the whole thing. Why not? The Miracle on Ice was invoked. Manifest destiny.
And Canada is celebrating too hard? Our hopes are too high?
I expect our neighbours will at some point get their comeuppance, and the landing will be hard. At least I hope this happens.
Does that make me a poor sport?
Spyro Rondos Saint-Lazare, Que.
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