Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has presided over the departure in the fall of two MPs from his caucus, who crossed the floor to the Liberals.Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press
Futile feud
Re “More TV, radio stations could shutter if Online Streaming Act is scrapped, industry leaders warn” (Dec. 19): How many times do Canadians have to listen to Americans tell us we must do something before the United States is willing to begin trade negotiations?
The latest example is a group of U.S. House representatives calling on Canada to end the Online Streaming Act “immediately.” Earlier, Canada rescinded countervailing tariffs as a result of the same argument.
Giving away anything at this stage seems completely useless. If Donald Trump wants to negotiate a trade deal (a questionable proposition, anyway), put it on the table when talks begin.
Next thing we will likely hear is that Mr. Trump wants us to give up supply management before trade talks can begin. Or maybe the auto industry.
Larry Rose Peterborough, Ont.
One to go
Re “MP Michael Ma addresses move from Conservatives to Liberals” (Dec. 19): ”I’m still believing in fighting crime and growing the economy,” said the itinerant MP.
In upholding democracy? Evidently not so much.
Louis Desjardins Belleville, Ont.
One must wonder what transpired between Michael Ma and Mark Carney at that meeting the day following the Conservative Christmas party.
To achieve a majority via this means feels not only unseemly, it also defies my interpretation of the democratic process. I have no doubt there is a significant number of constituents in Mr. Ma’s riding who feel deceived.
Yes, he will have greater access to the Prime Minister, but there’s always a quid pro quo to these things, and the details we can only guess.
Leslie Martel Mississauga
Re “A majority government built with floor-crossers is not legitimate, Poilievre says” (Dec. 18): Pierre Poilievre would do well to remember that we vote to elect a representative, not a party.
I am neither a Liberal nor Conservative. But if my representative chooses to cross the floor to escape a toxic, unproductive and hyperpartisan environment to better serve their constituency, it shows me they care more about governing than politics.
We would be well served by reflecting on George Washington’s warnings on the pitfalls of party politics.
Tom Reader Peterborough, Ont.
Despite polling that suggests Pierre Poilievre continues to be an anchor on Conservative electoral chances, he apparently remains committed to an attack-dog style. He also continues to stoke the fringe supporters of right-wing social conservatism which, while overrepresented in the party, is anathema to a majority of Canadians.
If there are any more floor-crossings, the upcoming Conservative leadership review could be very interesting.
Frank Malone Aurora, Ont.
Would Pierre Poilievre welcome a fellow MP, say, a Liberal, who wishes to defect? Or would he refuse to entertain that offer?
Duncan MacKenzie Guelph, Ont.
Let us suppose that Pierre Poilievre hadn’t botched the last election as badly as he did and the results were reversed. Let us further suppose that enough MPs were prepared to cross over to the Conservatives to give them a majority.
Hands up everyone who thinks Mr. Poilievre would reject their support because such a majority would be illegitimate?
Graham White Toronto
Hand that feeds you
Re “Requiring lawyers to swear oath to the King is unconstitutional, Alberta’s top court rules” (Dec. 17): It is true that an oath of allegiance to Canada, in the person of the King, can conflict with one’s religious loyalties. In extreme cases, such as if the state becomes evil, religious convictions will come first for religious people like me.
But in spite of its sins, Canada is mostly a decent country. It is one of the relatively few countries where religious freedom is defended by the state and widely respected. It has also succeeded in separating religion and state so that neither controls the other. These are no small achievements.
To deny Canada its due in the name of religious freedom is to do a disservice to religious freedom. It may be right, but it would be unwise.
Jim Paulin Ottawa
Priority line
Re “Extortion suspects using asylum loophole to remain in Canada is a farce” (Dec. 19): In tackling the huge backlog created by those requesting asylum, law enforcement should adopt a system of triage similar to that used in emergency departments.
Asylum seekers should urgently be divided into credible or weaker claims. Judicial resources could then be focused productively on weaker claims signalling a strong case for urgent deportation, which could help dramatically reduce the backlog.
Paul Thiessen Vancouver
Go to the front of the line, if that is what it takes to quickly deport persons associated with extortion from using our legitimate refugee claim system and the associated assistance they do not deserve.
Shelagh Barrington Toronto
Keep it
Re “Ottawa to shift nearly $1-billion from public-service pension fund to general revenues” (Dec. 19): This is the latest in what I see as the ongoing theft of pension assets.
It all started in the 1990s, when the federal government passed a law making it illegal for pension funds to have more than a 10-per-cent surplus. They then have to adjust contribution and benefit rules until the excess surplus vanishes. Then they often have to hike contributions and cut benefits when markets do badly.
This surplus rule, now at 25 per cent, should end, so that all pensions can have secure “bad times” buffers and Canadian workers can have pension security.
Steen Petersen Nanaimo, B.C.
Cold comfort
Re “I thought Canada was cold. And then I moved to England” (Opinion, Dec. 20): The coldest Christmas this life-long Canadian remembers was one spent in England.
We stayed with a British cousin in his well-named house, “The Old Cottage.” I was assigned a small room in the unheated upstairs.
Climbing between the sheets on Christmas Eve was like sliding between two wet, near-frozen slabs. I got one spot slightly warmed up and didn’t budge all night.
My late Canadian father recalled renting an English house one winter in the 1950s. The water pipes froze when a cold snap came, unsurprising since some of them ran outside the house.
When a plumber came to thaw them out, my father suggested the pipes would fare better if they were inside the walls. The plumber replied that having them outside made them easier to get at when they froze.
Don Sancton Beaconsfield, Que.
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