Chery cars for export are seen stacked at the port in Lianyungang, in eastern China's Jiangsu province, on Jan. 12.STR/AFP/Getty Images
Way forward
Re “Trump is obsessed with Canada – and our rebuke of his advances is growing more dangerous” (Opinion, Feb. 14): Mark Carney should stick to his present strategy, which is to state the facts, negotiate what is reasonable and not waste time arguing with an intransigent narcissist but, instead, walk away and turn toward like-minded middle-power allies.
Did some people forget to read Mr. Carney’s Davos speech? Giving in to a bully only encourages more bullying. It would be better and more efficacious for middle powers to be “at the table” together rather than “on the menu,” where Canada is just now.
The real danger lies in acquiescing to Donald Trump’s continued attacks. Our Prime Minister could not have made that unfortunate reality more clear in his recent speech.
Glenna Jenkins Lunenburg, N.S.
If the Trump era ultimately ends, an important question will remain: How long would it take for the United States to fully restore global trust?
History suggests credibility is rebuilt through sustained stability across multiple election cycles. That process can take years, even decades. For allies whose economies are tightly integrated with the U.S., the implications are significant.
Would reduced global confidence in long-term American continuity weaken the U.S. dollar over time? If so, how would that affect Canada’s exchange rate and export competitiveness?
Conversely, if instability slows U.S. growth, Canada’s economy could be pulled downward alongside it. These are not partisan concerns but structural ones.
If restoring trust requires years, Canada must understand the transitional period in between. Economic interdependence means U.S. political volatility does not stop at the border.
The conversation should move beyond personalities and toward long-term stability, risk management and the future of North American integration.
Stu Webster Halifax
Between the lines
Re “Government in talks with Conservatives to amend budget bill” (Feb. 11): Some provisions the Conservatives want changed could allow cabinet ministers to exempt companies from federal laws. Those clauses should be completely deleted maintain rule of law, democracy and fairness.
It seems the government is trying to fool people into believing it only deals with “regulatory sandboxes” to enable innovation. But current laws already enable innovation and testing.
Changes to the Red Tape Reduction Act could allow cabinet minsters to bypass health and safety, environmental protection, labour rights and more to enable “economic growth” or whatever is deemed in the “public interest.” These exemptions could last years.
No MP with a conscience should vote for the budget bill until those clauses are entirely removed.
Jane Garthson Seniors for Climate Action Now; Toronto
Modern monarchy
Re “Quebec removed the crown from its coat of arms, but that might not be a sign of sovereignty” (Feb. 10): As a curmudgeonly half-British old-stock Canadian, I hate to agree with the Quebec government on anything. However, the removal of the tiny crown from their coat of arms is fine by me.
I believe the monarchy is a useful but anachronistic symbol. We should not be afraid to continue removing these hieroglyphics, yet maintain a relationship with old Blighty and the Commonwealth.
Most importantly, we should retain the constitutional monarchy as bedrock to our parliamentary system. Society should have ceremony and a neutral head of state.
At the same time, it is good to establish our own symbols and codes as a fully independent, complex, unique nation.
Nigel Smith Toronto
Why not?
Re “Ottawa must decide whether the downsides of allowing Chinese EVs into the country are worth it” (Feb. 9): My wife and I have always supported U.S. automakers on the basis that a large portion of their product lines are built in Canada. The origin of manufacture was not paramount to our decision-making process, so long as we were reasonably satisfied that what was sold in Canada was matched by what was built in Canada.
Today, with the Big Three turning a blind eye to Canadian production interests to appease U.S. trade delusions, we will be looking to European and Asian manufacturers for our next vehicle, a sad turn of events after six decades.
Our new brand loyalties will come with a single caveat: Sell in Canada, build in Canada.
James Battle Stratford, Ont.
I am on holiday in Curaçao. Before that I was in Panama. Both countries have many thousands of Chinese automobiles, as does most of South America.
Chery does make nice autos, a few of which I taxied in. I appreciate that job losses in Canada are a concern for the industry, but concerns about Chinese spying feel overdone.
How many Chinese cars are there in the entire world? Does anyone seriously think there are sufficient tens of thousands of mandarins listening in on them, on top of the millions of iPhones manufactured in China?
Ian Newbould Toronto
Party people
Re “Dating is political – and the divide feels wider than ever” (Pursuits, Feb. 14): One thing I find troubling is the trend of people who claim to have deeply held political positions, but who treat discussion and defence of those positions as a tiresome chore rather than an ethical imperative.
In countries where freedom of speech is limited, there is often a deep hunger for political debate. Those citizens know this is the only way their ideas are able to grow, evolve and gain resilience, in the same way muscles can only be built under repetitive pressure.
Yes, free time is free time. But if it is generally the case that “constantly having to explain, justify or defend your point of view is exhausting,” then you yourself might just be not political.
Kevin Kashani Richmond Hill, Ont.
Before and after
Re “Winning Olympic medals matters, but how Canada wins them matters more” (Feb. 9): As a former board member of Speed Skating Canada, I was pleased to read about research confirming that policies the organization started implementing more than 25 years ago, and continues to improve ever since, have resulted in such consistent success on the Olympic podium.
It was probably beyond the scope of this research to measure the positive impact these policies have on athletes’ lives after sports. The values they learn during their speed skating careers prepare them to become better people, better parents and better members of society. Many of them have successful careers in various sports organizations, trades, businesses, health care, broadcasting, professional occupations, academia and so on.
So let’s cheer for the athletes and all sports organizations striving to make them better people – and keep bringing home those medals.
Peter Dankers Calgary
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