Ontario's Premier Doug Ford speaks to the media on Monday in Hamilton after trade talks between Canada and the U.S. collapsed.Carlos Osorio/Reuters
Fall back
Re “As insults fly between Ford and Trump, consequences loom” (Aug. 26): As much as Doug Ford’s recent response to the U.S. President may have been what many of us were thinking, it seems that the fewer comments of any kind about him, the better.
The President is known to thrive on the news cycle, so give him less to comment on. Disparaging, teasing and provocative remarks fire him up and help to legitimize the demonization of Canada.
At this point, the government seems to have the last word with the announcement of retaliatory tariffs. Let those sink in without adding any more fuel to the flames.
Cynthia Rowden Toronto
Wrong focus
Re “Alberta, Saskatchewan push back on calls for oil, potash export levies in retaliation for U.S. tariffs” (Aug. 27): If only we had government officials who would accept the world as it is, not as they wish it to be.
A trade agreement should help gain access for industries where we are competitive, not protect uncompetitive industries. We’ve subsidized U.S. car manufacturers here for so long. Instead we should transition to strategically necessary industries such as minerals processing or defence.
For the sake of taxpayers, we should also seek to increase competition for supply-managed products and stop requiring production of what few people want to consume, such as Cancon.
I think there may be other good reasons to walk, but not for bogus reasons.
Warren Klassen Calgary
Re “Canada’s furious, I get it. But by retaliating, we punish only ourselves” (Report on Business, Aug. 26): Our leaders and policy makers should seriously consider this wise assessment.
Indeed, imposing retaliatory tariffs may be like swallowing poison and expecting someone else to die.
Suzette Blom Toronto
War footing
Re “A free Canada is worth the sacrifice” (Editorial, Aug. 25): Canadians are being called to support the war effort.
Buy Canadian or at least don’t buy American. Grow a victory garden to replace midwinter avocados and tomatoes. Be prepared for higher income tax and raising the GST to support Canadians and employers hit by tariffs.
Put aside petty political differences because no Canadian party wants the country to be a satellite U.S. state. Take the war to them: oil, potash, critical minerals – export taxes for one and all.
My father fought in the Second World War. He and my mother lost friends to it. We are not being asked to make the ultimate sacrifice, but rather the sacrifice of money and tangible comforts for our country. Our reply should be a resounding “Yes!”
Liberty has no value if we aren’t prepared to defend it in our uniquely Canadian way.
Pamela Pastachak Fort Erie, Ont.
Who are you thinking of when asking, “How much pain are Canadians willing to endure to stay a proud and free country?”
It seems to me the Canadians who will pay the most for this trade debacle are those facing layoffs and job losses in our manufacturing and resource sectors. And we no longer have a robust social safety net (think housing, schooling, daycare, transit, health care) that can support and sustain unemployed workers and their families.
Their pain will be far greater, with longer lasting consequences, than that experienced by wealthy Canadians. Sadly, their pain will be endured in a climate where the haves yell the loudest about reducing taxes and protecting their investments.
Naomi Norquay Toronto
Reading list
Re “The whole world is watching as Canada stands up to Trump” (Aug. 26): I modestly suggest that policy makers, as well as the Canadian public, consult Stephen Clarkson and Matto Mildenberger’s prescient, somewhat gloomy 2011 book Dependent America? How Canada and Mexico Construct U.S. Power.
In it, among other things, they make the case that Canada and Mexico, especially when working in tactical combination, have a good deal of underutilized power in reserve that they could (at least in theory) deploy to check many excessive aspects of American hegemony.
Their classic study has usefully anticipated many of the consequences of our unhappy bilateral circumstances.
Toby Zanin Toronto
Better together
Re “A months-long renovation, only to flee in the middle of the night: What a wildfire taught me” (Real Estate, Aug. 21): By luck, we had left Summerland’s Lower Town the day before the fire started. Safe in Vancouver, I received notifications on the Voyent Alert! app: evacuation notices, power outages, water advisories.
I was also alerted to the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen emergency command post on YouTube, where senior manager of communications Erick Thompson set up a livestream. One night, he had to evacuate his family at 1:40 a.m. He continued the livestream from his car and remained calm and professional, providing information from district personnel and BC Wildfire Service.
About 12,000 people safely and calmly evacuated Summerland. This wildfire taught me that compassion and patience in a time of crisis, along with timely and reliable information, is an indicator of a strong civic fabric.
Karen Coflin Vancouver
Just a number
Re “Vanity, thy name is oldster” (Opinion, Aug. 22): There is much to worry and enrage us in the world. But all that worry and rage is exhausting, especially when you’re 70-plus years old.
So thanks to reporter Ian Brown for the tonic: laughter, recognition and solidarity. I laughed so hard I cried, because that’s life, too.
Karin Treff Toronto
I loved this article.
I should have something clever to say but, alas, I am 74 years old and can’t come up with anything.
Ken Sutton Toronto
Yes, 70 and up is a lot of years.
When asked my age, I reply that I’m 23.8 C. Do the math: If my years are measured in Fahrenheit then converted to Celsius, the result is a feel-good one. But convert too early and it’s back to your teens. Who wants to do that again?
Some would say I’m in denial. While my skin is crepey, my joints creak as the warranties lapse and my thoughts often leave the station without me, I proudly own this.
Am I sad, resentful, self-conscious when looking in the mirror? Absolutely not. Life is for living which, last time I checked, I’m still doing and with lots of laughter.
As my late mother complained upon finally moving into a retirement home: “Dear God, this place is full of old people!” And she was only 87.
Fiona St. Clair Toronto
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