Letters to the editor, March 4: ‘These attacks … should be deemed illegal under international law. Mark Carney should have the moral fortitude to say so’

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Principle problem

Re “Reaction time” (Letters, March 3): A letter-writer postulates the advice Jean Chrétien would have given Mark Carney, perhaps recalling Canada’s lack of participation in the Iraq conflict in pursuit of weapons of mass destruction.

The Responsibility to Protect principle was a Liberal priority as articulated by Lloyd Axworthy, developed in response to an autocrat’s mass atrocities against its own citizens as exemplified by the horrors in Kosovo and Libya.

Based upon the fatalities of protesters in Iran and calls to action by the Iranian diaspora, I am not certain which way that conversation would have gone.

Stephen Halman Toronto

The Charter of the United Nations is not a nicety of international law, but a foundational document on how states ought to interact.

Yes, the regime in Iran is awful and it has violated the Charter on multiple occasions. But countries like Canada, which follow the rule of law, should condemn any violations of these principles. These attacks are not credible acts of self-defence and thus should be deemed illegal under international law.

Mark Carney should have the moral fortitude to say so. Anything less threatens the principles for which Canadians have struggled, fought and died.

Peter Miller Winnipeg

Power play

Re “How will free-spending Ford pay for Ontario’s $400-billion nuclear plans?” (Report on Business, Feb. 25): Ontario’s energy debate should start from a simple reality: Electricity is the backbone of a competitive economy. Demand is rising rapidly, driven by manufacturing growth, electrification and digital infrastructure, and failing to plan for that growth would cost far more than investing to meet it.

That requires long‑lived, reliable, non‑emitting generation. Ontario’s nuclear fleet has delivered that for decades, supporting thousands of highly skilled jobs and supplying the stable power our manufacturing sector relies on to stay competitive. Today’s refurbishments are being completed on or under budget and ahead of schedule, demonstrating that modern projects are performing predictably and efficiently.

Independent system planners have assessed Ontario’s options. A balanced approach, anchored by proven nuclear power, can provide the stable, affordable electricity needed to support growth and shield consumers from price volatility. Delaying decisions only increases costs and risks investment.

Energy independence isn’t optional. It’s essential to Ontario’s long‑term prosperity.

Julie O’Driscoll Executive Director, Ontario’s Nuclear Advantage; Vaughan, Ont.

This cogent warning against the Ford government’s plan for Ontario’s energy future is one that should be heeded.

It is clearly laid out: By focusing almost exclusively on the expansion of nuclear generation, we have a choice of either unsupportable and high utility rates, which would discourage the decarbonization of our economy, or unsupportable and high government subsidies, which would increase provincial debt or eat away at other programs and services.

We don’t need another “serious, objective and independent assessment.” This opinion gives us one.

Liz Addison Toronto

Swing and a…

Re “Why Canadian universities are cutting sports in a race to fix fragile funding models” (Feb. 25): Guess what? University administrators from the top down have likely known every aspect of these issues and where they would eventually lead – and failed to address them.

Just ask Jack Drover, now retired from a long career as a Canadian university player, coach and athletic director and a long-time advocate of academically focused and ethical amateur sport, equity and financially sustainable programs. He is often unfairly begrudged for supporting the elimination of men’s hockey at Mount Allison University and replacing it with a women’s team.

We should hear Mr. Drover’s voice which has, alas, mostly been in the wilderness.

Harvey Gilmour Ottawa

I don’t buy U Sports CEO Pierre Arsenault’s argument that U Sports has any more “authenticity” or less “transience” than the NCAA in the United States.

For men’s basketball (one of the few sports that may be immune from being axed) top players are already using the league as a stepping stone to the U.S. Simon Hildebrandt, for example, went from the University of Manitoba to High Point University in North Carolina and is now at Washington State University, a high-major program.

Ralph Elias went from the University of Victoria for three seasons to becoming former Carleton University head coach Dave Smart’s star player at University of the Pacific in California.

It’s great that Canadian universities play a huge role in player development. But if transience is grounds for being cut, then men’s basketball could be on the chopping block, too.

Teru Ikeda Toronto

Why is spending millions of dollars on sports part of a university’s core function? We live in times of public funding stress.

Many decades ago, I was a student at Merton College, part of Oxford University in Britain. The prestige sport was rowing.

The college provided a boathouse and we shared a boatman with another college. We also had access to a small gym for training and all coaching was by volunteers.

New boats were very expensive. When the team needed one, we asked our alumni to buy it.

Let’s get back to basics. A little self-help goes a long way.

Tony Woodruff Burnaby, B.C.

Must read

Re “By threatening to get rid of prison librarians, Canada is not going by the book” (Feb. 26): I have been a volunteer book club leader at Grand Valley Institution for Women through Book Clubs for Inmates for the past two years. A couple of the leaders have participated for 15-plus years and consistently see the impact the librarian has on the population.

Librarians know the various inmates’ personalities and can guide them in choosing books, often coaching them if they’re struggling through a challenging read. Some inmates work in the library, finding it to be a peaceful place while learning skills they can apply outside the institution.

Studies show reading builds empathy and a greater understanding of those who are different from ourselves. In this increasingly divisive world, the prison population should have access to librarians who will foster and encourage reading.

Kelly Kraeker Waterloo, Ont.

In the 1970s, the Kingston Penitentiary librarian put out a call to public libraries to send books for their diminishing stock. Our library responded by selecting a box a month to send.

I put together the materials from our central library; the librarian was careful to inform us what kinds of material to send (prisoners liked westerns, for instance) and more importantly what not to send. I gathered mainly fiction and they were duly sent.

The librarian said he was most grateful for the selections, which enriched the prison library. I do hope our government will reconsider its ill-guided attempt to remove librarians from the prison system.

Gail Benjafield St. Catharines, Ont.

Letters to the Editor should be exclusive to The Globe and Mail. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. Keep letters to 150 words or fewer. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. To submit a letter by e-mail, click here: letters@globeandmail.com