US President Donald Trump left the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alta. early.SUZANNE PLUNKETT/AFP/Getty Images
Plus-minus
Re “As G7 wraps, Carney vague on aims of 30-day time frame for U.S. talks” (June 18): I understand our Prime Minister’s job is difficult. Having to deal with Donald Trump, while attempting to keep our country on an even keel, requires a disposition and resolve made of Kevlar. I get that.
However, I do wish Mark Carney would show more sympathy for his fellow Canadians. Many of our mouths are bone dry having been agape for so long at this walking nightmare.
When I see Mr. Carney treating Mr. Trump with such civility and warmth as he did at the G7 summit, I become nauseous. Just once, during a photo op, I would love to see a couple of our Prime Minister’s fingers rise up behind the President’s head.
Failing that, some sort of prearranged signal – a wink, a hand gesture – would assure us that he understands our frustration and any display of respect, with such convincing sincerity, is for the sake of the country.
Richard Row Toronto
Re “The G7 is dead – time to move on to the G6″ (June 18): The main objection is likely to be that the problem is Donald Trump, not the United States. He will be gone in 3.5 years, better to just deal with him as best we can – but I have no confidence either will happen.
History says that Mr. Trump will likely attempt to cling to power by any means at his disposal, and I believe it is wishful thinking that the U.S. will regain normalcy.
The many aspects of American society that have combined to put Mr. Trump in the Oval Office – twice – are likely to remain for many years to come. G6 nations should expect U.S. presidents like Donald Trump on a regular basis.
Mark Roberts Gananoque, Ont.
Interference call
Re “Danielle Smith has put out the welcome mat for foreign interference in Canada” (June 16): I find it more than a little ironic for an unsuccessful Liberal candidate in the recent federal election to be warning of the potential for foreign interference in an Alberta referendum.
When credible allegations were made of foreign interference in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections, it was the initial Liberal position to say, in effect, “Nothing to see here.” It was only after much delay that a public inquiry was held into the matter, the conclusion of which was essentially “no harm, no foul.”
Perhaps foreign election interference is only a concern when it runs counter to the interests of the Liberal party.
John Reilly Victoria
Next generation
Re “Canada’s F-35 costs are soaring to crazy levels. Time to bring on the drones instead” (Report on Business, June 14): “Drones of both the surveillance and attack variety may be the way to go.”
Another significant role may be the development of larger drones capable of delivering fire retardant for fighting forest or urban fires. They would reduce the risk to firefighters and also function day and night. Smaller ones are already used in British Columbia to identify hot spots.
The development of effective firefighting drones can be another new Canadian industry with a potential worldwide market.
Morley Lertzman North Vancouver
All the small things
Re “The big upside of thinking small on immigration” (Editorial, June 16): The issue I see is not that we need high population growth, or any growth.
Japan and China are shrinking, and eventually it is projected that most countries outside of Africa will be shrinking by 2100.
What should matter is if we have the right work force, and particularly the right mix of skills, given the lower number of young people finishing school and retirements (we should encourage later retirement) and that AI and robotics will likely decrease demand for labour.
So the real issue: How do we increase GDP per capita and maintain our lifestyle, or even improve it? Savings and investment are key, as is owning more of our economy and building great Canadian companies, instead of relying on branch plants and resources.
Having high immigration but spreading it out more would be a minor improvement, but not a good policy to make Canada competitive.
Brian Graff Toronto
Practical advice, if sweeping the floor and wishing to cut short the results by hiding problems under the rug.
Encouraging new arrivals to locate in smaller cities would just recreate the same avoidable problems in big cities related to more humanity and its demands, but elsewhere.
Has it ever occurred to policy makers to hold the numbers steady and try to keep the planet alive longer, instead of constantly grabbing, mining and chopping more – and creating bigger future problems?
Bill Bousada Carleton Place, Ont.
We can’t expect immigration to lower-cost smaller cities to occur organically, with the pull of immigrants to familiar ethnic communities in our largest cities. Instead, Canada should consider reinstating past policies.
When my parents arrived as post-Second World War immigrants, they had no choice to settle in their preferred destination of Toronto. Instead, as an entry requirement, my father lived in Galt (now Cambridge, Ont.) and my mother in rural Edmonton, each for a minimum one year. After that they were free to resettle to Toronto, which is where they met.
We should reinstate such a policy, starting with refugees. Lower-cost communities with available jobs would ensure their integration and success.
Ontario’s northern land was populated by Scandinavian and Eastern European immigrants who filled railway, mining and forestry jobs. Many stayed and established vibrant communities there.
George Horhota Toronto
Sweet and sour
Re “Buy Canadian movement sours sales at one Edmonton candy store” (Report on Business, June 16): Sorry to hear that a business is suffering for selling U.S. products. Here is my experience.
Walmart has sales on confectionery after Easter, and I asked my kids if they wanted any. Of course, was the reply, but it had to be Canadian. So I went and read the label of each marked-down candy to find some that were made in Canada or a product of Canada.
Shopping at Walmart in Canada? Wages go to locals, and buying marked-down products likely means reduced profit to send back to the United States.
Summer is here and U.S. produce (cherries, corn, peaches, etc.) is showing up at local stores, but they don’t come home with me. I’ll wait for Mexican or Canadian produce.
I’ve had European candies and they are different to Canadian and U.S. candies. Perhaps retailers can stock some of those and leave the U.S. candies aside for a while.
Henry Ko Montreal
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