Letters to the editor, April 19: ‘The time has come … to appoint our next governor-general. Here’s a suggestion that ticks all the boxes’

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Changing times

Re “The Conservatives have a bigger problem than a Liberal majority: Their leader” (April 17): Floor-crossing in normal times is not ideal. But when an existential threat represents a real and present danger, it should be legitimate to set aside party alliances to better serve the nation.

So the holier-than-thou attitude on this subject seems rich, especially from a certain Opposition Leader who ignored his constituents’ wishes in his former Carleton riding. They voted him out in the last election, but instead of accepting the will of the people, he forced a colleague out of a safe seat and effectively ensured he circumvented it.

This self-serving passion to stamp out floor-crossers also ignores that the Harper government welcomed them with open arms. If the Opposition Leader really wants to respect the will of the people, he should step down and let someone else have a turn. The people overwhelmingly rejected him to lead the nation in these most challenging times.

Dino Mannarino Hamilton

Next up

Re “Carney says next governor general will speak French and English” (April 11): The time has come for King Charles, on the advice of Mark Carney, to appoint our next governor-general. Here’s a suggestion that ticks all the boxes: Jean Charest.

He is fluently bilingual with excellent communication skills. He has a national profile and is deeply experienced in both federal and provincial governance, with in-depth knowledge of constitutional and business issues. He’s a Canadian nationalist who recognizes Quebec’s unique status.

At 67, Mr. Charest has both gravitas and youthful energy. But will he want the job? Will it be offered to him?

We’ll have to wait and see.

David Schatzky Toronto

Alternate ending

Re “Canada is drifting toward petrostate politics, even in B.C.” (Opinion, April 11): Not all the world supports petrostate politics.

At the end of April, 50-plus countries, including Canada, will gather in Colombia for the First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels. This is a coalition of the willing to not only set targets, but advance the world away from fossil fuels.

There is strong support for this effort. More than 120 civil society organizations from across Canada signed a joint open letter sent to the Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Nature urging the government to step up and show leadership for global climate action.

There is another path that has support from Canadians. We should have the courage and the political will to take it.

Cathy Page Calgary

Final frontier

Re “Artemis II in pictures: A lunar destiny reborn” (April 13): I was concerned to read about the dangers of Artemis II’s fiery descent through the Earth’s atmosphere. Apparently, the lives of the four astronauts depended on the performance of a heat shield that raised concerns during a previous unmanned test flight.

It occurs to me that the future of space exploration, including the establishment of permanent bases on the moon and Mars, will increasingly rely on artificial intelligence and robotics. Sending humans into space is exceptionally expensive and dangerous, requiring complex and sometimes unproven life support systems.

Robotic missions would no doubt eliminate such requirements, while accomplishing everything human missions could achieve at a fraction of the cost. However, human involvement in space exploration will always be what motivates us to accept the significant costs and risks involved.

Bravo to the brave crew of Artemis II.

Barry Francis Toronto

How long?

Re “Ontario to cut length of teachers’ college from two years to one” (April 11): The “teachers’ college” no longer exists.

They were closed down more than 50 years ago when teacher education was fully integrated into Ontario universities. Today’s faculties and schools of education are not standalone training colleges, they are university-based professional programs grounded in scholarly research, disciplinary development and critical study of best practice.

“Teachers’ college” is an antiquated and inaccurate designation that no longer describes the reality of teacher education in Ontario.

Paul Axelrod Former dean, faculty of education, York University Toronto

Educators should be alarmed by the decision made to reduce teacher training in order to “get future teachers into the classroom faster” and meet “the needs of communities across Ontario.” I have no doubt the real effect of the ruling, and the intention, is to undermine teaching as a profession with high standards for admission, awarding credentials and upholding responsibility and accountability for educators.

It is a teacher’s professional knowledge, competence and earned credentials that are respected by students and deserve the respect of parents, boards and government. Weakening standards for entering the profession by accepting “passionate individuals” who lack professional training would only further diminish the authority of and respect for teachers, along with the health of our public school system.

David Olson Emeritus professor, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto

When a surplus of teachers was predicted, Ontario teachers suddenly needed two years of training. Now that a shortage is predicted, only one year is needed to deal with larger classes, more diverse student needs and fewer assistants.

Is it any wonder that parents and young people have less confidence in our education system? And now the people who make such wise decisions want total control of every detail in every school.

Kathy Vandergrift Ottawa

Long read

Re “Keep reading” (Letters, April 11): On the experience of reading “the 800-page Middlemarch,” a letter-writer quotes with seeming approval Philip Roth’s putdown of those who take longer than two weeks to read a novel. Of relevance is the actual length of Middlemarch.

The modern book market seems to demand that novels be published in one volume, and modern editions of Middlemarch do therefore cram its 319,402 words into 800 densely packed pages.

The 1871 first edition from Blackwood, as well as the 1873 “new edition” printed from the same plates, gives readers a different experience: 1,542 very readable pages, spread over four volumes.

Regardless of whether it takes two weeks or six months to reach the last page, reading the generously spaced original is likely to be an even more rewarding experience than reading a one-volume modern edition.

Don LePan Nanaimo, B.C.

Shoot your shot

Re “Olympic hockey hero Jack Hughes has new chiclets as NHL dentists get a moment in the spotlight” (Sports, April 11): When I was 10 in the early 1960s, I begged my father for goalie pads.

He purchased a set, but nothing else. No gloves, chest protector or, fatefully, a mask.

One hour after first strapping on the pads at the corner rink, I took a slapshot to the face and lost both front teeth. They were replaced, not so discreetly, with two silver teeth.

That summer, I had a chance to play catch with Harry Howell, a great hockey player. He took one look at me and said I’d make the National Hockey League.

I didn’t play organized hockey for much longer, but thankfully had the silver teeth replaced with white ones three years later, just as I became interested in another activity: dating girls.

Ken Myron Hamilton

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