Trucks cross the Blue Water Bridge between Port Huron, Mich., and Sarnia, Ont. amid ongoing trade and tariff uncertainty in December, 2025.Emily Elconin/Reuters
Take the lead
Re “The U.S. is waging a great economic war. Is Canada paying attention?” (Report on Business, May 13): There is bizarrely a swipe at the appointment of Janice Charette as Canada’s negotiator because she has advised the Business Council of Canada, which made a harmonization proposal with which the contributor disagrees.
First, negotiators are guided by a mandate from cabinet. It could be open-ended (“get a good deal”) or maddeningly specific (“don’t touch supply management”); in the current context, I am certain that economic security matters will be closely considered.
Second, the federal public service would benefit from more cross-fertilization between government and outside organizations such as the BCC.
Third, there are more important qualifications Ms. Charette brings to this assignment: two appointments as clerk of the Privy Council, the most senior non-political office in the country, along with one of our most important ambassadorial positions abroad.
To suggest we should be worried that her BCC stint puts Canada at risk seems outlandish, and not a little insulting.
Gerry Salembier Ottawa
Price to pay
Re “Telus plans AI data centre expansion in B.C., including two new centres in Vancouver” (Report on Business, May 12): I hope these new data centres will be powered primarily by new green energy projects funded by Telus itself.
The electrical grid can still play an important role when renewable generation is insufficient. However, with proper planning, battery storage and other technologies can provide backup capacity.
This should become standard practice for any industry that consumes large amounts of electricity. And ideally, new legislation can stop data centres or any large business consumer from using power from the grid.
Many small U.S. towns and some Canadian communities are already struggling with the associated costs, including increased pressure on local infrastructure, higher electricity costs and taxes, greater water consumption, noise concerns and increased pollution where additional power generation relies on fossil fuels.
These projects can bring economic benefits, but communities should not be left carrying the environmental and financial burden while most of the profit flows elsewhere.
David Bell Toronto
Sail in
Re "Canada’s energy ambitions may run through the perilous waters of Hecate Strait" (May 12): Other commercial cargo traffic sails safely from Prince Rupert.
For example, Prince Rupert handled nearly 900,000 containers in 2025, or approximately 200 container vessels in a year. They nearly all sailed safely through Dixon Entrance and the top of Hecate Strait to Fairview Container Terminal.
An alternative being suggested for a new tidewater terminal for Alberta oil and gas is Vancouver, where commercial vessels must pass through the narrow Juan de Fuca Strait. Prince Rupert has not had any container vessel accidents involving loss of cargo in 10 years. Vancouver had a serious accident in 2021, when a vessel in a storm dumped more than 100 containers.
Can oil tankers sail safely from Prince Rupert? Of course. Unlike Vancouver, which is two sailing days further from Asian ports and already handles huge volumes of traffic, Prince Rupert has the capacity to handle oil vessels with no more risk.
Roger Emsley Delta, B.C.
Grand question
Re “The restoration of 24 Sussex is worth the price” (Editorial, May 12): This project can be a simple restoration. Indeed, the National Capital Commission has deemed 24 Sussex to be a heritage asset worthy of protecting.
Let us celebrate its historic architecture and character and retain its grand limestone exterior. Explore Canadian architectural firms to gut the structure and restore its traditional style, but with adaptations.
Inject design modernity via the kitchen and bathrooms. Decorate the interiors using Canadian and English fine art and furniture. Relandscape the exterior. Update Rideau Cottage at the same time, with a view to it being used as a guesthouse for foreign dignitaries.
Ensure a welcoming atmosphere not only for our Prime Minister and his family, but also for those who visit to attend meetings, receive honours, record interviews or stay as overnight guests.
Mark Carney’s vision of a stronger, sovereign Canada deserves a proper official residence and a realistic approach to achieving this worthy goal.
Sydney Sharpe West Vancouver
Let’s remember that Mark Carney is just the head of government, not the head of state.
By all means renovate 24 Sussex to provide a suitable home for the Prime Minister, but let’s not turn it into an administrative facility like the White House or a place for lavish entertainment.
Taxpayers already pay for a fully equipped office on Parliament Hill. And Rideau Hall is right across the street with everything needed for entertaining dignitaries.
George Patton Guelph, Ont.
Life and death
Re “Another way?” (Letters, May 13): Addiction and dependence have similarities and features in common with a number of other chronic medical conditions.
Aetiologies are complex; there are no magic cures or silver bullets. Social inequities, poverty and poor mental health impede recovery, and relapses are unfortunately common and, with highly potent and toxic substances, deadly.
Government responses are varied. Most resources traditionally are devoted to prohibition, interdiction and other facets of law enforcement, but over the past decade, there has been increased investment in treatment modalities. Harm reduction receives less funding than either law enforcement or treatment, but on a dollar-for-dollar basis is demonstrably effective in reducing morbidity and mortality.
Contrary to a letter-writer’s assertion, harm reduction does not promote drug use or “enable” it. They are credibly shown to introduce individuals to care and recovery, and keep them alive while they seek it, periodically relapse and eventually achieve it.
Dead people cannot be “cured.”
Perry Kendall CM, OBC, FRCPC; former B.C. provincial health officer, Victoria
Bad luck
Re “When sports betting becomes a problem” (May 12): Online gambling in Ontario brought in $82.7-billion in wagers and $3.2-billion in gross revenue. Just where is this money coming from?
Given the incredible amount of supposedly disposable income, no government should back away from raising taxes to finance a huge array of government programs to better the lives of Canadians.
Robert Milan Victoria
Re “It will take more than a draft lottery makeover to prevent tanking” (Sports, May 12): Many professional soccer leagues have the best anti-tanking system: Bottom teams in the standings (or table, as they say) are relegated to inferior leagues, while top teams are promoted.
Relegation is so demoralizing for clubs and fans that most teams vigorously avoid it. None of them “tank” and play poorly on purpose, as there’s no incentive to do so.
Failing a move to soccer-style relegation and promotion, I agree that the only anti-tanking measure left for North American sports leagues is a completely random lottery for draft picks.
Jeff Zuk Hamilton
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