The federal government lifted most retaliatory tariffs on American goods.James Park/Reuters
Sunk cost
Re “Auditor-General to probe modernization of federal pay system as move to new program begins” (Aug. 26): From all accounts, the Phoenix payroll system has been a bottomless pit of major problems, project managers and taxpayers.
It brings to mind much simpler systems of decades ago. I was responsible for the design, development and management of an incentive-based payroll system for an auto-parts manufacturing company.
The system was modular, well-tested and reliable. We easily adapted it for another manufacturing company’s use in just two weeks.
Phoenix was too large and too complex to succeed, so forget investing more time and money in another probe. Don’t custom-build again; look for compatible, large-scale and proven platforms, then co-design additional modules with actual users who know the pitfalls. Focus on quality, milestones, continual feedback and independent oversight.
It wouldn’t be easy, but it would be the best way forward.
James Newman Hamilton
Before and after
Re “Instead of griping about Telus piggybacking on fibre-optic networks, its rivals should compete” (ROB, Aug. 22): For years, Telus has fought vigorously against wholesale internet mandates, calling them “a corporate subsidy for resellers” that would “reduce the diversity of facilities … deepen the digital divide, decrease competition … and ultimately lead to higher prices.”
As recently as 2023, it told the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission that mandated fibre access would “have predictably negative results for Canada: It will prevent the private funding of … expansion of networks” and “decrease real competition.” Yet once the CRTC extended wholesale access to fibre networks in Ontario and Quebec, where Telus could piggyback on competitors’ networks, the company suddenly changed its tune, even while still opposing the same rules for its fibre networks in Western Canada.
Telus’s reversal is telling, yet the greater error we see lies with the CRTC adopting the very policy that Telus once acknowledged would harm investment and competition.
Robert Ghiz President and CEO, Canadian Telecommunications Association; Ottawa
Watch out
Re “As Canada lifts countertariffs on American goods, what does it mean for consumers?” (Aug. 25): I believe that major Canadian food retailers will use the removal of retaliatory tariffs as an opportunity to increase profit, by not passing on the full value of tariff reductions to consumers.
I urge Canadians to watch grocery prices carefully and report irregularities to the Competition Bureau or provincial or territorial consumer affairs offices.
Al Yolles Toronto
Art attack
Re “Admissions to public arts schools shouldn’t come down to the luck of the draw” (Sept. 2): Thanks to contributor Daniel Roher for bringing to light the decision by the Toronto District School Board to employ the lottery system for entry into our public arts schools.
It was a “well-meaning decision.” One could add that it was a woefully misguided one which breeds mediocrity.
There is value in supportive and fair competition. It can be a worthwhile learning tool if structured with thought.
Public arts schools exist to develop unique strengths and talents. They are staffed with teacher-artists who recognize and nurture budding young artists, those who demonstrate unique abilities in music, art, dance or theatre. The study of an art form most frequently leads to careers in performance or education.
It behooves us all to support those who are capable of rising to a high level of competency in their artistic endeavors. The arts are a foundation of our culture.
Shelagh Cohen Retired music consultant, Toronto District School Board
After I retired from teaching, I had the good fortune to be a substitute teacher at a large number of high schools in Toronto. There are many impressive schools and amazing kids, but the arts schools, particularly the Etobicoke School of the Arts, blew me away.
The halls of the school were filled with art and music, energy and joy. I was impressed with the advanced level of the music class I supervised. (How fortunate that there was a student-teacher to lead the lesson, who really knew what she was doing.) It was remarkable to see how engaged the students were in all their school subjects, because they were passionate about their arts classes.
The system should return arts schools to an auditioned program so that kids with expertise and passion can excel. I hope the Toronto District School Board is listening.
Vallry Waldman Toronto
My granddaughter had a passion for dance, and she thrived at the Rosedale Heights School of the Arts.
There she found a like-minded community who understood that something much deeper than a passing interest must accompany the discipline, talent and hard work required to succeed in life, as well as the arts.
A lottery system would penalize the very students an arts school should be nourishing, as well as bend our society toward mediocrity.
Suzette Blom Toronto
Every little thing
Re “An ambitious plan for an iconic heritage site” (Real Estate, Aug. 29): Why are our architects so frightened, or incapable, of symmetry?
The proposed College Park expansion would not be a respectful addition to the original. Its massing is suitably symmetrical east-to-west, the towers forming an admirably balanced triad. But in detail, the ensemble falls down as it rises.
Why the erratic cutouts and balcony patterning? Why the glazed “signifies nothing” southwest corner of the main tower?
“Wait! We can’t just play it straight here. We have to do something interesting.” The heritage base is symmetric; the additions should defer to this and be consistent with it. This is not the place to cry out, “Hey, look at me! Aren’t I transgressively erratic?”
The original deserves better. And so do we.
Peter Ferguson Architect; Grey Highlands, Ont.
Pour one out
Re “Doug Ford pours out bottle of Crown Royal, reacting to closure of Ontario plant” (Sept. 3): While I am disappointed that the owners of Crown Royal are moving a bottling plant to the United States, I still think Doug Ford’s act of pouring out a bottle was wrongheaded.
By advocating that we boycott Crown Royal, I suppose it will lead to the other plants shutting down, including those that make the liquor itself. That would mean even more jobs lost.
Sometimes companies make decisions that cause job losses here. But to grandstand like Mr. Ford did is just wrong.
Craig Cherrie Toronto
Drive off
Re “Money talks” (Letters, Aug. 27): As much as I admire a letter-writer for shopping Canadian, most of us can’t afford to purchase a Lexus.
Janice Couch Kingston
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