Sign outside of Seminole Hospital District offering measles testing, on Feb. 21, in Seminole, Texas.Julio Cortez/The Canadian Press
Conservative movement
Re “Conservative MPs support Poilievre at caucus meeting, but retain power to oust him, sources say” (May 7): I believe Canada’s polarization is not between right and left, but between anti-democratic populists and respectful progressives.
How else to explain the difference between a Prime Minister who immediately calls a by-election so his opponent can participate in the democratic process, while the Premier of Alberta seems to be waiting until the last legally possible moment to call a provincial by-election in my riding that would most likely elect her opponent (“Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi acclaimed as party’s candidate for Edmonton seat” (Jan. 25).
Kudos to Mark Carney for not fuelling the flames of cynicism toward our democratic process. We have nothing to be cynical about except cynicism itself.
Katherine Binhammer Edmonton
Pierre Poilievre wants to remain Leader of the Conservatives and be prime minister.
If he does not publicly denounce Danielle Smith for greasing the skids for Alberta separation by giving separatists the means through a referendum – and do it before running in a by-election in Alberta – he will show Canadians like me that personal power, rather than the country, is his priority.
Rob Garrard Victoria
Join in
Re “Right fit” (Letters, May 9): We should have proportional representation, not a winner-take-all ranked ballot.
Ranked ballots alone would be an incomplete solution to our electoral system woes in Canada. Yes, they would remove the need to vote strategically. But election results would still be wildly off from the popular vote.
More importantly, ranked ballots would continue to entrench a two-party system. We need only look to our neighbours to the south to know the risks.
The caricature of “splinter and extremist parties” is not often reflected in the evidence. Research shows that countries with proportional representation systems are more stable (with fewer elections), have higher voter turnout and experience lower partisan hostility.
Ninety-plus democracies, and the vast majority of countries in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, use proportional representation systems. Canada should join the rest of the democratic world with an electoral system that more accurately represents the will of the public.
Chris Mohan Toronto
No-go zone
Re “Ontario’s proposed ‘special economic zones’ are antidemocratic power grab, opponents warn” (May 7): The “special economic zones” proposed in Bill 5 are an attempt to create properties extracted from the public space, in which provincial and municipal laws and regulations are removed for the benefit of private interests.
They have been a longstanding and persistent dream of groups who wish to do business without having to deal with their perceived problems with democracy. The exemption of businesses from the laws, regulations and oversight of society would be an attack on the rights and duties of all Ontario citizens.
In his 2023 book Crack-Up Capitalism: Market Radicals and the Dream of a World Without Democracy, Canadian historian Quinn Slobodian documents the destructive effects of such zones on civil society in other regions, such as the Middle East, Central America and Asia, where they have been established.
Bill 5 should be withdrawn.
Clifford Ottaway Dysart et al, Ont.
Back in the day
Re “Doug Ford says people should vaccinate children against measles but they can’t be forced” (May 8): It is no surprise to me that measles has come roaring back in Ontario.
During the early 2000s, schools routinely sent suspension letters to parents of unvaccinated children weeks into the school year. If parents failed to respond, a follow-up was sent. By the time the student was vaccinated, it was often well into the second semester.
Everyone in schools should be vaccinated: teachers, students, administrators, custodians. The only exception should be those who provide medical confirmation that vaccination would exacerbate their condition. The idea of religious or philosophical exemptions should be categorically rejected.
Knowing the abysmal state of vaccination in Ontario schools, I did not give serious consideration to supply teaching during the pandemic.
John Ferguson Retired teacher, Ottawa
Trust the numbers
Re “Health-data companies selling access to patient records, study says” (Report on Business, May 6): The activities described in this article are in direct conflict with Inovait’s “Principles for Safe, Ethical and Trustworthy Canadian Health Data Licensing.” These were developed to provide a framework for health care institutions to share data responsibly.
The erosion of public trust reinforces apprehension among health care institutions to share data that could benefit the public good. The use of health data for targeted marketing without patient consent should be prohibited.
Leveraging health data presents risks and opportunities. Any sharing of patient data, even de-identified data, should be done transparently, with ethical oversight and benefit the public good.
If done responsibly, data can be mobilized to advance research, support technology innovation and address pressing needs in the Canadian health care system.
Philip Boyer Manager, health data program, Inovait; Toronto
Eat it up
Re “Eating ultraprocessed foods increases risk of early death, study finds” (May 5): These foods are commonly eaten in the world, including ready-to-eat meals such as frozen pizzas, chicken nuggets, soft drinks and many breakfast cereals. Consumption of these foods, in scientific studies, apparently leads to premature death, which sounds very frightening.
However, how does the widespread consumption of unhealthy foods jive with longevity outcomes in the world? Life expectancy in Canada has increased and is now almost 82 years.
Life expectancy in the world has also increased steadily since 1950, when it was less than 50 years, and it is now more than 70 years. Death rates from heart attacks have also decreased dramatically.
All these positive things may have been happening for other reasons, but has certainly been occurring despite all the terrible processed foods we eat. So maybe we do not have to feel so guilty when we have some sodas and pizza while enjoying the Leafs’ Stanley Cup run.
Irv Salit MD, Toronto
White smoke
Re “Robert Prevost becomes Pope Leo XIV, first American to hold papacy in Catholic Church’s history” (May 9): Many years ago, the Catholic Church selected a pope from behind the Iron Curtain, John Paul II, who helped to lead the fall of the Soviet Union.
Today, the conclave chose an American pope whose beliefs are in stark contrast to the present U.S. administration. It will be fascinating to see how this turns out.
Jimmy Molloy Toronto
Never mind his being an American. What of Leo XIV’s comparative youth? At 74, I am 5 years his senior.
Goodness, I am older than a pope. For the love of God, how did that happen?
Farley Helfant Toronto
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