Canada's forward Tajon Buchanan fights for the ball with Morocco's midfielder Hakim Ziyech at the Al-Thumama Stadium in Doha on Dec. 1.FADEL SENNA/AFP/Getty Images
Word up
Re The Word Of The Year For 2022: Emergency (Nov. 30): The word of the year should be “unprecedented.”
Unprecedented weather: climate change, fires, floods, hurricanes, rock slides.
Unprecedented human suffering: famines, wars, viruses, overdoses, human trafficking, mental illness, abuse of all kinds, mass shootings, overrun emergency departments, lack of family physicians.
Unprecedented environmental change: extinction of flora, fauna and rainforests, increased pollution of air, water and land.
Unprecedented social-media influence: radicalization, political interference, online bullying.
What did I miss? In 2022, every aspect of our lives, and the world around us, has been unprecedented.
Susan Mackinnon Kesler Saskatoon
More like
Re No, Danielle Smith Hasn’t Learned Leverage From Quebec (Dec. 2): Many have commented on the dubious constitutionality of the Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act, others on its threat to federalism. But I have yet to read comments on the lack of originality in its title.
In the 1970s, Quebec comedian Yvon Deschamps explained the province’s quest for independence as follows: “All we want is an independent Quebec within a strong and united Canada.”
Steve Iscoe Kingston
Political continuity
Re Political Leadership (Letters, Nov. 28): A letter-writer states that “new governments sometimes reverse measures introduced by their predecessors,” as if that’s a good thing.
It is a feature of a first-past-the-post system that constant reversals happen. Flip-flopping should be considered wasteful. It does not move the country forward. New ideas are often lacking because it’s all about demonizing the other party.
Minority governments made up of several parties (that people actually voted for) would be more stable and continue projects that work, while modifying those that do not. With multiple parties vying for leadership, it seems inevitable that unrepresentative governments will always be chosen, and undoing the policies of the last lot will occur.
Canada should fix that.
Tony Burt Vancouver
An arrest
Re How Police Cracked Two Cold Cases After 39 Years (Dec. 1): I have so much admiration for the dedication and commitment of police investigators who were determined to track down a suspect behind these brutal murders. What a testament to our system, and the individuals within it who will go to such lengths to see justice served.
While it cannot fill the void left in the lives of those who lost loved ones, I hope it can bring some measure of peace to them, knowing that a suspect was finally arrested.
Phil Jacques London, Ont.
Hard to find
Re We Must Protect Those At Risk From The Flu (Dec. 1): I moved home to Quebec in March, 2022. As a senior, it was simple to receive an enhanced influenza vaccine in Ontario. I tried for a month to find one in Montreal, all to no avail.
Apart from Quebec and a few Maritime provinces, the enhanced vaccine is readily available in most of North America. As a senior living on my own, I feel discriminated against because I am not in assisted living. All the more surprising given how easy it is to obtain COVID-19 boosters.
Given the “tridemic,” this could potentially lead to an unnecessary strain on the health system. Look at the early and severe spike in influenza in Australia during the winter period from June to August.
Hopefully by 2023, Quebec can show more respect for seniors.
Gary Raich Westmount, Que.
Keep it up
Re The Challenge Of Bankruptcy And Pensions (Editorial, Nov. 28): Surely no one would consciously oppose the protection of pension obligations for employees during company defaults and bankruptcy. But as the saying goes, be careful what you wish for.
I have been involved with all aspects of pensions for 35 years and have realized that one has to contemplate unintended consequences. Twenty years ago, in a meeting regarding B.C. pension legislation, we were discussing how best to protect employee pensions.
A wise policy director looked at the group and said, “Remember, you are punishing the good guys.” While we were focusing on funding issues not unlike the current debate, he was basically saying, “What about employers who do not provide any pensions? They operate in a legislation-free zone.”
Government should strike a panel of stakeholders to ensure that this admirable effort doesn’t inadvertently result in legislation that furthers the demise of defined-benefit pension plans in the private sector.
Paul Martin White Rock, B.C.
Farmed out
Re Slice And Dice (Letters, Dec. 1): A letter-writer wonders what a “big chunk” of land such as 7,400 acres of Ontario’s Greenbelt would feel like.
My wife and I worked a 110-acre farm for more than a decade. We had a herd of 25 to 30 beef cows and also reared the calves. The land was one kilometre deep, and I suppose about 0.5 km wide.
Doug Ford’s “big chunk” is, it seems to me, a mighty big piece about 70 times the size of our farm. The problem is that he has divvied it up among developers and wants to build a highway to provide owners of single-unit dwellings with a drive into Toronto. The housing shortage would not be solved.
What a waste of prime land that could be devoted to food production and protecting rivers that drain into Lake Ontario.
Ted Burnside Ottawa
Direct hit
Re Ottawa Spends Millions On Falconry To Protect Federal Sites (Nov. 30): Today I discovered that gulls, pigeons and other wild birds “strike” and “hit” military planes. Who knew?
But then, I suppose, turtles and other wildlife often “hit” passing vehicles, and large sea mammals sometimes “strike” ship propellers, too. All this would be comical, if it wasn’t so tragically indicative of our prevailing view of non-human species as nuisances and impediments, rather than as sacred living beings, worthy in their own right and essential to our collective survival.
Michael Polanyi Toronto
Homeward bound
Re Canada Goes Home From World Cup With Experience, But Few Lessons (Sports, Dec. 2): Many congratulations to John Herdman and the Canadian soccer squad for their gutsy performances at the World Cup.
They were all over Belgium in the first game and were unlucky to lose by a goal scored against the run of play. Although they come home empty-handed, they can hold their heads high in the knowledge that they did a great job and made Canadians proud.
Dave Ashby Toronto
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