Prime Minister Mark Carney waits for the arrival of Finland’s President Alexander Stubb in Ottawa on Tuesday.David Kawai/Reuters
Grudging respect
Re “Orban’s far-right party swept out of power after 16-year reign in Hungary” (April 13): What does it say about the state of the world when one feels compelled to commend the otherwise egregious Viktor Orban, the outgoing Hungarian Prime Minister, for at least having enough respect for his country’s democracy to accept the electoral will of his people?
Frank Burgess Edmonton
Majority wins
Re “Mark Carney finally has his majority. He must not waste it” (Report on Business, April 14): The by-elections have shown me two things: one, progress in the inclusion of women in federal politics and, two, Mark Carney’s impeccable ability to unite people from the left and right.
Canada has too much political and cultural division. A stable majority Liberal government offers the opportunity to teach the public how to best transcend our differences in pursuit of common ground on everyday policy issues.
Voters like me do not want divisive leaders such as Pierre Poilievre who practice petty populist politics. Despite that, he vows to stay on as leader.
I do not know if Mr. Poilievre can do so for long, especially after the Liberals’ victorious night.
Bryan Liceralde Brampton, Ont.
Work to do
Re “B.C.’s NDP government appears in over its head” (April 8): It is clear to me that the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act needs further work by the best First Nations, federal and provincial legal minds, with the goal of harmonizing Indigenous rights with private land ownership and resource development. No delusions.
Whatever hard-fought common ground that is achievable will require give and take, and the wisdom of Solomon by all involved. David Eby’s proposed three-year suspension of parts of the act, then, is a head-scratching exercise in procrastination that will only serve to unnecessarily prolong uncertainty and avoid keeping feet to the fire.
Likewise, Pierre Poilievre’s rabble-rousing approach to leadership and civic engagement bulldozes a path toward continued confrontation, protests, blockades or worse, along with inevitable, wasteful and costly policing invoices and lost economic development opportunities.
In the best interests of Canada and all its stakeholders, let’s hope cooler heads prevail.
Tom Bergen Squamish, B.C.
Road map
Re: "B.C. misfires with rigid rules for EV sales" (Editorial, April 10): The claim that British Columbia is “limiting consumers’ options” seems to draw the wrong conclusion from a partial view of the market.
Global demand for internal combustion engine vehicles has already peaked as markets shift toward electrification. In this context, B.C.’s policy doesn’t restrict choice, it ensures access to a growing supply of electric vehicles.
Where EV policies are strongest, customer options are higher. British Columbians already benefit from more models and shorter wait times than most other provinces.
Increasing supply puts downward pressure on prices and expands choice. Constraining EV supply risks keeping prices high.
Affordability should be measured over the full cost of ownership. EVs are typically cheaper to operate and maintain, and reduce exposure to volatile fuel prices.
Policies like B.C.’s expand access to cleaner, more affordable vehicles, ensuring Canadians aren’t left behind in a global transition.
Adam Thorn Director, clean growth, Pembina Institute; Toronto
Growing pains
Re “How Canada can protect its food system in an increasingly uncertain world” (April 13): This leaves me extremely puzzled that the Carney government could ever conceive of closing agricultural research stations to save a few dollars (“Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is closing seven of its research operations” – Jan. 26) while energy and food security hang in the balance.
What a truly Canadian opportunity: using natural gas to produce nitrogen fertilizers for Canadian farmers, world-class researchers and institutions to work on the next generation of sustainable food crops.
Invest more in food and crop research, the ultimate in “homegrown.”
Harry Jennings Williams Lake, B.C.
Transatlanticism
Re “Regretfully decline” (Letters, April 14): I was thrown by letter-writers warning of the things we would be “forced” to accept if Canada joined the European Union.
Free movement for Europeans? Yes, and for Canadians in Europe. That’s much of the appeal.
Bring our food up to European standards? Oh no, how ever will we cope?
David Arthur Cambridge, Ont.
Missing matador
Re “The untold danger of unchecked capitalism” (April 10): The fall of communism in Europe was, for many like political scientist Francis Fukuyama, the triumphal vindication of capitalism. But did it also demonstrate the folly of all “grand” theories?
Thinkers like Michel Foucault and Richard Rorty cautioned against uncritical application of universal ideologies, preferring specific problem-solving using situational understanding and local stakeholders. Mr. Foucault suggested that ideologies are “resources,” not doctrines, or, as more succinctly expressed in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, “more what you call guidelines than actual rules.”
Capitalism is a functional human invention, not a divine creation or essential part of human nature. It has been, and should be, adapted to meet societal needs.
Included online is a photo of the Charging Bull statue in New York’s financial district. Capitalism, an ideology symbolized by a raging animal, begs for sturdy fences.
Chester Fedoruk Toronto
Let’s debate
Re “When schools ban politics, what are students really learning?” (April 13): “Citizenship without politics isn’t neutrality – it’s obedience,“ and that discussion, debate and dissension are vital engines of societal progress.
Public debate often confounds politics with partisanship. Schools are highly appropriate places to explore politics and our process for making collective decisions. Schools are not, however, a setting for unmonitored partisanship which, by definition, manipulates meaning for factional advancement.
Education is aimed at advancing the pursuit of knowledge not its distortion for gain. To protect free expression, we must maintain the boundaries described here.
Our tradition of free expression is based on the belief that social progress is best served if ideas are openly and fairly debated and discussed. At this time, when extremists threaten democracy from both wings, we urgently need such communication.
Paul Shaker Professor emeritus of education, Simon Fraser University; Port Moody, B.C.
Not the first
Re “In feud with the Pope, Trump crosses red lines for some faithful supporters” (April 14): My advice to Pope Leo XIV: Wear Donald Trump’s taunts as a badge of honour.
He joins an illustrious group of intellectuals and world leaders.
James McCarney Oakville, 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