Chinese President Xi Jinping gives a speech during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Tianjin, China, on Monday.Suo Takekuma/The Associated Press
Friends like these
Re “Defying U.S. pressure, China’s Xi advances his vision for a new global order” (Sept. 2): Are China and India really potential trade partners for Canada in today’s world? Look at who they consort with: Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un.
Are Canadians comfortable seeking increased trade and other deals with India, which is buying more and more Russian oil and thus financing Mr. Putin’s war with Ukraine? Are we okay when Narendra Modi calls Mr. Putin a trusted partner?
Are we okay seeking increased trade relationships with China? The same China that has slapped punitive tariffs on our canola exports? The China that has a cozy relationship with Mr. Putin?
If so, then why not seek trade deals with Iran, North Korea or any other pariah states?
Roger Emsley Delta, B.C.
Pay for it
Re “How to fund increased defence spending? There’s nothing wrong with borrowing” (Report on Business, Aug. 27): There appears to be strong support for increasing Canada’s spending on defence, but much less support for raising taxes to pay for it. And Canadians do not want to see damaging cuts to our social safety net, particularly for health care, child care and elder care.
It is pointed out that Canada has a high degree of monetary sovereignty that would allow it to “borrow” from itself by having the Bank of Canada purchase its debt securities. It seems too good to be true and there are, of course, limits to how much the government can use this stratagem to increase the money supply.
Fortunately, as a former bank governor, Mark Carney should be well qualified to embrace monetary theory and know its limitations. Let’s hope he is prepared to use his knowledge to increase spending on defence, while not hurting the services Canadians have come to rely on.
David Goodings Burlington, Ont.
How many?
Re “There is no flood of newcomers anymore, Mr. Poilievre” (Sept. 2): I, for one, remain unconvinced.
Occasionally, there is mention of up to approximately half a million individuals in Canada without legal status – we don’t even have a somewhat accurate number. I see no mention of any plans by government to regularize the status of these individuals or deport them.
Just imagine the improvement to the housing crisis or the health care situation if even a fraction of those with no legal basis for being present in Canada were no longer here.
John Reilly Victoria
Free to be
Re “Manitoba lawsuit to challenge segregation of child inmates” (Sept. 2): No child should ever be forcibly confined under any circumstances. But somehow, for the most vulnerable children in society, solitary confinement under what the lawsuit alleges to be despicable conditions is deemed good practice while in prison.
The last thing these children need is to be locked away, adding more rejection and trauma to their fragile lives. I believe it is imperative that this practice stops, and that these children receive the compassionate care and support they deserve.
Sharon Purdy Toronto
Where hunger strikes
Re “A year and millions of orders later, Nova Scotia’s school lunch program kicks off again” (Sept. 2): It should be noted that the hungriest kids in the country are in Nunavut, which has the country’s highest rate of food insecurity and one of the highest costs of living.
School-based food programs are evidence-based and good for learning, as well as equity, community building and healthy food practices.
Madeleine Cole MD, Iqaluit
Public display
Re “Quebec shouldn’t ban street prayer. Municipalities should enforce existing laws” (Sept. 3): I’m reminded of a scene in the movie Fiddler on the Roof, in which students ask their rabbi whether there is a proper blessing for the czar.
“Of course,” the learned rabbi responds. “May God bless and keep the czar – far away from us!”
Ron Csillag Toronto
I believe that François Legault will not be able to criminalize prayer itself, as only an individual knows their own thoughts.
A person kneeling may just be searching for flowers to sniff. He would have to criminalize the objective counterpart: the kneeling posture usually associated with prayer.
To demonstrate the absurdity of such a law, opponents could, once it is passed, organize “pray-ins” – assemblies of a dozen or more, all assuming the prohibited posture, asking to be arrested. They need not be praying; posture alone would be the offence.
Atheists welcome.
John Edmond Ottawa
Read on
Re “Alberta pauses ban on school library books with sexually explicit content” (Sept. 3): The Edmonton Public School Board has just published an amazing list of books that our children – and we all – should read. Let’s all go to the library or a favourite bookstore and borrow or buy one of these books.
Thanks also to Margaret Atwood for her latest “short story.” She is one of Canada’s greatest gifts and an inspiration to us all.
Let’s follow her lead and stand up to censorship.
Monique Fischer Toronto
Once again, our provincial government makes Alberta an embarrassment, this time with its ridiculous banning of books.
I long to be proud of my province, and not the butt of articles, jokes, cartoons and skits. We know we have hit bottom when a companion of the Order of Canada and esteemed author such as Margaret Atwood is drawn into this and offers a humorous and wise response.
I ask: When will pride abound? Recently, we saw the kind on display at Calgary’s Pride parade where acceptance, diversity, compassion and solidarity were celebrated enthusiastically. Thousands of people of all ages, stages and genders showed up in support of inclusivity.
I wish all of Canada could see this side of Alberta and not the government’s narrow, fearful and judgmental side that I find an embarrassment to us all. I long to live in a place of pride, not ridicule.
John Pentland Reverend, Hillhurst United Church; Calgary
Polls of Canadians continue to highlight several key priorities: Donald Trump, U.S. relations, jobs, the economy, inflation, health care, housing affordability, immigration.
However, much of the political capital being expended by many premiers bears no relationship to these priorities: banning books, cancelling bike lanes, developing legislation to ban public prayer, supporting separation efforts, building tunnels for cars, restricting trans rights – the list goes on.
Based on polling related to trust, politicians make up one of the least trusted groups. Coincidence?
William Pascal Ottawa
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