The residence at 24 Sussex Drive in Ottawa in October, 2015.Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press
Blood money
Re “Canadians’ plasma is now a liquid asset. Is that ethical? I donated to learn more” (May 14): I am horrified that Canadians are being paid to donate plasma in our country.
What is next? Payment for organs? And if so, how will the trade of human body parts for cash end?
Margot Todd Victoria
There may be an ethical argument against paid blood donation because the profit motive encourages cutting corners on safety, or because a fully voluntary system appeals to a virtuous sense of community.
But any argument against payment itself is hypocritical. Before the Canadian Blood Services deal with Grifols, it was buying products from the company (as well as from U.S. producers) for which donors had been paid.
So we’ve always paid donors. But before it was conveniently done at arms’ length, leaving our virtue intact – not to mention with less Health Canada oversight.
Brian Green Thunder Bay
Well spent?
Re “The restoration of 24 Sussex is worth the price” (Editorial, May 12): I support the renovation of 24 Sussex. Beyond serving as the official residence of the Prime Minister, it could become an important national attraction and educational experience for Canadians and visitors alike.
With thoughtful planning, portions of the property could include a prime ministers’ portrait gallery and exhibits showcasing key moments in Canadian history and leadership. It would be an excellent educational destination for school groups and others wanting to better understand our country’s political heritage.
To help offset costs, a modest admission fee could be charged for tours and special exhibits. There is also an opportunity for Canadians, corporations and foundations to sponsor rooms, galleries, restoration projects or educational programs as part of preserving a national landmark for future generations.
Rather than viewing 24 Sussex simply as an expense, we should see it as an investment in Canadian pride.
Kensel Tracy Chelsea, Que.
If 24 Sussex is a symbol of our failure in public policy, at least we have been successful in feathering the nest of the Leader of the Opposition.
There is no equivalent to Stornoway in other parliamentary democracies such as Britain, Australia or New Zealand. Some opposition leaders decided to forgo it: Lucien Bouchard preferred to live in Quebec. But others have luxuriated in this unique perk.
If we are talking government-funded official residences, maybe it is time for a holistic review.
Tom MacDonald Ottawa
Historical value? How many Canadians would even recognize a photo of 24 Sussex?
Let’s have a building we can be proud of.
Judy Alexander Oakville, Ont.
Equal footing
Re “Ottawa spends $6-billion subsidizing trades – for young men. What about young women?" (Report on Business, May 11): The argument is for more federal investment in early childhood education, a sector overwhelmingly staffed by women and chronically underpaid because of it.
That investment matters: It allows other women to enter or re-enter the labour market. Some, perhaps, even in the trades.
But this soft-pedals the wage gap: Despite both careers requiring multiyear certification, tradespeople can earn an average of $73,800; child care workers, $43,500. And that’s the conservative read.
Tradespeople routinely push earnings past six figures through overtime, weekend and isolation pay. None of those income boosters exist for child care workers in the same way.
Ottawa should hear two sharper messages: Guarantee women an equal share of the $6-billion trades program, and pay child care workers on par with skilled tradespeople.
A workforce that makes every other workforce possible should not be one of Canada’s lowest paid. Equity can’t be a footnote in a flagship labour policy.
Susan King Ottawa
Right to MAID
Re ”MAID limits?” (Letters, May 12): I’m shocked at the stigma contained in one letter.
Many people with mental illness have excellent judgement, are highly intelligent, show good reasoning skills and do not suffer from being highly suggestible. How insulting.
This is an example to me of the huge stigma that people with mental illness face constantly. Many individuals with mental illness are fully capable of logically deciding that enough is enough after many years of agony from living with treatment-resistant mental illness.
To deny this feels highly discriminatory and unacceptable.
Christine Camley Nanaimo, B.C.
While providing space to share subjective beliefs and stories about medical assistance in dying is important, the point columnist André Picard makes is that its legality is not subjective (“Ottawa needs to stop saying it’s not ready for the expansion of MAID, and actually get ready” – May 12).
MAID enshrines the right of individuals to decide what would be a good death, and what quality of life worth preserving looks like in the context of their personal dignity.
These beliefs are not open to interpretation by others, including medical professionals, many of whom define death as failure, based on a narrow definition of the mandate to “do no harm.” This limited perspective ignores the immense suffering that can be caused by prolonging life against a patient’s wishes.
Let’s insist that government stops dithering about MAID expansion. As Mr. Picard so clearly states: “Canada is ready clinically, legally, and societally.”
Elizabeth Causton Victoria
Sign off
Re “A card can hold astonishing weight, so why have we stopped sending them?” (First Person, May 12): The more the practice of sending cards falls away, the greater the currency when one is actually penned.
As a humble former school principal, I wrote hundreds, if not thousands, of chicken-scrawled cards to students, teachers and parents on all manner of topics. I thought I was pretty good at this – until the highest-ranking student at my school was sent a handwritten note of congratulations by David Johnston, our governor-general at the time. How many schools are there in Canada? How many of these did he send?
A vice-regal personage such as Louise Arbour should take note of this marvellous practice.
Adam de Pencier Toronto
I, too, am a collector of cards. On our 40th anniversary a number of years ago, I decorated the bedroom with the 80 cards we had exchanged over the years.
My husband asks: Why keep them? It is heartwarming to reread them and I am happy to leave them for our sons. It’s important to me they see us as young and passionate, and that their parents love each other. Isn’t that a gift?
For those who know us, we were very young when we married.
Jan Vanderwal Toronto
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