Letters to the editor, June 13: ‘There are so many other important things to spend money on than defence over and above the 2 per cent we’ve promised’

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Late start

Re “Twenty years late, Canada hits the old NATO target, just in time to fall short of the new one” (June 11): I believe the only reason to meet NATO’s 2-per-cent target is because we promised to meet it and want to make a good impression. Canada should strongly resist any move to increase the target above 2 per cent.

NATO’s increasingly aggressive posture is dismaying to those who hoped that trade relations and other exchanges between West and East would lead to a more peaceful future. The narrative that says Ukraine is just the start, and the rest of Europe is under threat, feels unwarranted.

If the Baltic states are attacked, there would be massive retaliation from NATO for which existing forces are sufficient. Russia seems to have suffered enough losses in Ukraine not to engage in further campaigns.

As Canada gears up for the rest of this century, there are so many other important things to spend money on than defence over and above the 2 per cent we’ve promised.

Mark Thornton Toronto

The Canadian military is understaffed as it is. Where are they going to find the trained and educated people to man the new stuff?

The current procurement service is understaffed as it is and paralyzed with red tape. The military is never satisfied to purchase “off the shelf,” generally requiring long development processes.

Altogether, the proposed expansion will likely take the most determined effort over many years, with much catch-up due to years of neglect. I see no quick fix.

Michael Harvey Ottawa

Performance pay

Re “The politics of paying for politicians” (Editorial, June 11): Some large corporations pay management according to their financial results: exceptional results, exceptional remuneration; poor results, lower remuneration.

Is it not time to copy something similar for paying our politicians? Higher remuneration for years of producing a balanced budget, lower for years with deficits.

At the present rate of deficit spending and inflating costs, even the lowest paid labourer may, in the future, be earning exceptional wages but unable to afford the basics.

Al Isaac Waterloo, Ont.

Politicians giving themselves pay raises could be linked to performance, for example balancing the budget. It could be questioned how increasing salaries and benefits is reasonable when the organization, in this case the government, is in debt.

Similarly, would it be reasonable for elected government representatives to not have lifetime pensions? Someone willing to serve their country should be suitably rewarded, however could that not be in the form of a one-time severance package? With a year or two of severance, enhanced skills and contacts plus an improved résumé, would that be enough to attract qualified people?

I understand it only takes six years of service to be eligible for a full pension. That generally means being re-elected only once, which could be considered an enticement to spend money trying to keep different groups happy. That could be considered short-term thinking, and not necessarily for the benefit of the people.

Martin O’Connell Burlington, Ont.

Keep ‘em separated

Re “B.C.’s energy minister says Ottawa should focus on practical projects with ready investors” (Report on Business, June 9): Here’s shocking news from British Columbia’s Energy Minister: Adrian Dix notes that no business case has been made for a new pipeline crossing northern B.C.

Well there’s been a moratorium on oil tanker traffic on B.C.’s northern coast, while First Nations and environmentalists have been vehemently against such a venture. So why would any company waste time on considering such a project – until now.

It is up to the feds to make good on their campaign promises to clear the way of these impediments. Then the business case will appear, I guarantee it. I for one will be an early investor in such a critical piece of infrastructure.

Let private industry negotiate with First Nations in the same effective way it has done on the recent natural gas pipeline running a similar route. Keep government as far away as possible from the site and this gets built, built, built.

Bruce Thompson Nanaimo, B.C.

Hard to swallow

Re “Taking vitamin D may slow biological aging, study suggests” (June 9): The original VITAL study was to examine vitamin D’s potential role in cardiovascular disease and cancer prevention; no difference compared to placebo. This “new study” analyzed nearly 10-year-old data originally collected to answer a different question.

Of important note, telomere length is a surrogate end point. Extrapolating to suggest it equates to “preventing three years of aging” seems bold. By this logic, populations near the equator should far and away outlive us in the northern latitudes.

Benjamin Reitzel MD, CCFP; North Bay

Out of sight

Re “Tattoos are permanent and personal. But what happens when you outgrow them?” (June 7): I was not surprised to read that up to half of people who get tattoos regret it later.

I find the increased popularity of branding our skin – with everything from our most banal favourite things to our most intimate thoughts – is the epitome of insecurity and bad taste. Tattoos have become an extension of people’s social-media obsession – the body as Instagram.

I think clothes and hairstyles are a better way to make a statement. When one tires of a look or realizes a colossal mistake was made, they can easily be changed.

Even if Leonardo da Vinci tattooed a masterpiece, no one could appreciate it unless they got uncomfortably close. A person cannot appreciate many of their own tattoos unless they are a contortionist. Tattoos also do not stand the test of time and ultimately disappear into wrinkles.

I cannot wait for this ugly trend to run its course.

Nancy Miller Toronto

Say it loud

Re “A river cruise with our American frenemies – what could go wrong?” (Opinion, June 7): “Why have we assumed that the world knows who we are?” It is argued that the Canadian way of being “polite and passive” to “win the day” in terms of overseas recognition has not worked, and the country is mostly known for the Rocky Mountaineer luxury train and Niagara Falls.

When I moved here a few years ago, I was astonished by the splendour of Mission Hill’s Okanagan vineyard, the stories of Cherie Dimaline, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, small historic towns such as Tadoussac, Que., the dance productions of award-winning choreographer Crystal Pite and the art of Alex Colville, Kent Monkman and the Group of Seven, to name but a few.

Canada is much more than its natural beauty. The world should hear more about these uplifting world-class achievements.

So say it like it is and swagger a little.

Paris Jefferson Ottawa

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