Letters to the editor, Oct. 7: ‘This may be the last opportunity for the rest of Canada to prove they value Alberta’

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Lend an ear

Re “Canadians would be wise to listen to what the U.S. ambassador has to say” (Oct. 3): Pete Hoekstra is doing his job and does have a pipeline to the White House. But the fundamental reason he gets so much stick in Canada is because his boss continues to insult Canadians with his musings on annexing our country and creating a 51st state.

Mr. Hoekstra has made light of all this. There is no way Canadians are going to get “passionate” about America if the President continues to devalue our relationship and cause significant damage to our economy with his tariffs.

It is evident, to me at least, that the ambassador, based on his reaction to these subjects, not only has no impact in the White House, but rather agrees with the President.

Robert Noble Toronto

Perhaps we can forgive Pete Hoekstra’s brashness, but not his and his boss’s adversarial attitude toward Canada.

Under Donald Trump, the United States is neither a reliable or trustworthy partner. He seems to have no concern or understanding of things that do not enrich or reflect well on him. His history of not honouring agreements and pivoting on a whim should be proof enough.

Nor do we have any idea of what Mr. Hoekstra tells Mr. Trump, as the world walks on eggshells to keep from upsetting him.

Embrace the renewed Canadian pride. Find new trade partners to protect our future while awaiting an America after Donald Trump.

David Lewis Toronto

Another chance

Re “Alberta’s pipeline pitch forces a thorny debate back into full view” (Report on Business, Oct. 4): I believe Danielle Smith is showing leadership by pushing forward a new pipeline proposal, something Alberta desperately needs to restore the prosperity it once had. Federal governments, especially under the Liberals, have long neglected the Prairies despite Alberta’s massive contributions to Canada’s equalization system.

Projects like Northern Gateway and Energy East were blocked by federal and other provincial governments, not abandoned by industry. With the right investment certainty, the private sector will likely return.

If the federal government can lend more than $800-million in total to save about 2,800 jobs at Algoma Steel, why not support a pipeline project that could benefit hundreds of thousands Canadians? This may be the last opportunity for the rest of Canada to prove they value Alberta and want it to remain a committed part of the federation.

Mukesh Mathrani Edmonton

Show of force

Re “Canada’s new warships could be obsolete by delivery time” (Oct. 1): To even suggest there might be a cheaper defence procurement than that planned is likely to cause an immediate pause in government decision-making. Fighter aircraft procurement delays of more than 25 years is a case in point.

Drones may soon be the new weapon to be tried on by many nations. However in times of less than war, such small vehicles can have little influence on the populace’s perceptions.

Even today, our Canadian Navy’s ships are scattered around the world doing their job – a job small drones could never do – showing allies and potential enemies that Canada is capable of being a formidable force to counter.

Drones offer no show of force or even competence. We may need them to fight a war or for our defence, but for the foreseeable future, we will assuredly need those planned destroyers – now.

Fraser McKee Commander, Naval Reserve (ret’d); Mississauga

You’ve got mail

Re “The fight over the future of your mailbox” (Morning Update, Oct. 1): The most surprising news to me is that the average household gets just two letters a week. That means many households must get no letters at all.

This household gets more than that most days. This includes but is not limited to magazines, some bills, requests from charitable organizations, reports from the same and, especially in December, cards and letters from friends and relations.

In spite of Canada Post’s well-known issues, the mail remains the safest and least expensive way to communicate. Among its many advantages, we do not need expensive equipment which becomes obsolete every few years, we know who is communicating at the other end and it can’t be hacked.

Even fraudulent use is becoming less common. When was the last time there was a letter by “snail mail” from a person claiming to be a Nigerian prince?

John Horman Waterloo, Ont.

As a senior, I’ve had a community mailbox for more than a decade.

I clear it out about once a month, mostly to remove flyers. I appreciate the convenience, especially when I’m away and don’t need to arrange for someone to collect my mail.

I also spent my entire career in the private sector. When business was good, it was great. But when market forces or technological advances changed the business model, jobs were inevitably lost.

That’s the reality of a competitive marketplace. Smart and adaptable employees found new, often better, opportunities as those shifts unfolded.

If this strike is prolonged, the unintended consequence will likely be privatization of postal services. This presents a golden opportunity for private, entrepreneurial companies to step in and prove themselves.

Once new relationships are established with businesses that depend on reliable, affordable shipping, there may be little reason to return to Canada Post.

Marg McKaig Calgary

Track record

Re “Shapiro may have the last laugh, but will anybody care?” (Sports, Oct. 3): “The only measure of success is success. He has provided it.” But how much of it?

From 2001 to 2015, Mark Shapiro was general manager and then president in Cleveland. That team made the playoffs just three times in those years.

In the 10 years since he left Cleveland, that team made the playoffs seven times. The Blue Jays made the playoffs just five times over the same period, even though Toronto’s payroll is more than double that of Cleveland.

And Alex Anthopoulos, the general manager who Mr. Shapiro didn’t manage to retain after 2015? He has since been an executive in Los Angeles and Atlanta. His teams have made the playoffs nine times in those 10 years.

Don LePan Nanaimo, B.C.

Thanks again

Re “Saying ‘thank you’ is a moment of connection that elevates us all” (First Person, Sept. 30): A heartfelt thank you does make a difference.

After flying home from Edmonton, I realized I left my valuable binoculars in my rented car. I contacted the rental agency and they called back after it was found.

I asked for the names of the two good workers who had searched for it. I mailed them a thank-you card with two modest Tim Hortons gift cards.

A week later, a letter arrived: They wanted to thank me for thanking them.

Greg Michalenko Waterloo, Ont.

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