Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Jane Philpott in Ottawa on Monday, Jan. 14, 2019, following a cabinet shuffle.Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press
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Expelled from caucus
Re Liberal Caucus Expulsions Broke Federal Law, Philpott Says (April 10): The suggestion from Jane Philpott that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau broke the law in expelling her and Jody Wilson-Raybould is another example of narrow legalism (even if correct) that misses the bigger picture.
All prosecutions must not only have a reasonable prospect of conviction, but must also be in the public interest. It certainly is open to an attorney-general to take a different view of the public interest than the federal prosecutor’s office, particularly when there was a conflict within the Public Prosecution Service of Canada itself, as seems to be the case on the SNC-Lavalin file.
Ms. Wilson-Raybould was within her rights not to offer a deferred prosecution agreement to SNC-Lavalin. But it perplexes me why she did not see it as being in the public interest to do so. Mr. Trudeau’s clumsy efforts to do the right thing, and Ms. Wilson-Raybould’s determination to be right, even at the cost of the Liberal Party, and the good of the country itself, educates us about both their characters.
Now, we have more technical legal arguments designed to further bloody the government in this sordid little civil war. To what end? Vindication? Self-righteousness? Clearly Ms. Philpott and Ms. Wilson-Raybould have lost the confidence of most of their party. Lost in this sorry saga of personal ambition and self-righteousness is the good of the country.
Robert Girvan, former Crown attorney (Ontario), Toronto
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I am a former 30-year director and chair of the audit committee of the Federal Liberal Agency of Canada (FLAC), the chief agent of the Liberal Party of Canada.
I concur with Jane Philpott that the action of the Prime Minister on April 2, 2019, to expel her and Jody Wilson-Raybould from caucus broke federal law. The public record is clear that there was no vote four years ago at the 2015 caucus meeting as required pursuant to Section 49.8 (1) of the Parliament of Canada Act.
Justin Trudeau’s conduct was a breach of parliamentary rights of the members. It was an ad hoc and arbitrary action, which deepens Canadians’ profound concern over his failure to establish a public inquiry into the SNC-Lavalin scandal.
Elbert King (Bert) Paul, Vancouver
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Jane Philpott and Jody Wilson-Raybould do not seem to understand they are no longer wanted in the Liberal caucus or party. Even if they were to get back in, they would soon be ejected again.
They need to accept they have submarined their political careers, at least in the Liberal Party.
David B. Wartman, Calgary
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Jane Philpott once again does the right thing, not the easy thing, by challenging her expulsion from the Liberal Party. What a loss for Canadians and cabinet.
Rebecca Goldman, Montreal
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Justin Trudeau’s second-biggest failing as a leader is his inability to spot the saboteurs in caucus. The more unforgivable failing was appointing both of them to cabinet.
Sunny days indeed for Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer.
Scott Gardiner, Toronto
Needle safety
Re Addicts, Neighbours (April 10): The letter about needle debris brought to mind a recent trip to Australia, where bright yellow sharps receptacles were ubiquitous in public washrooms – no matter where, or how small. This wasn’t regarded as shameful in any way, just a way to ensure that those with addictions could be safe and to protect others – one of the many public policies that our cousins have instituted that are far better than our approach.
Terri Pamenter, Port Hope, Ont.
Stratford Tourism Alliance on the swan parade
Re Swan Song (April 8): I am very disappointed with this article, which wrongly blamed the Stratford Festival for changes to a well-loved local event. The Stratford Tourism Alliance (STA) decision to cease ancillary programing around the Swan Release to encourage visitors to explore Stratford’s excellent cuisine and shopping, and support other local businesses was carefully considered. It had absolutely nothing to do with the Stratford Festival or the construction of the Tom Patterson Theatre.
The Stratford Festival is an incredibly supportive organization within the community. During last year’s Swan Weekend (when work at the Patterson site was already under way), the theatre hosted a face-painting party for kids at the main Festival building. It ended with a march led by Stratford Festival star, Daren Herbert, from The Music Man, in full show costume, to the swan release site.
The swan release has a long tradition as the marker of spring in Stratford that the community and visitors enjoyed for years without any additional commercial programming. The idea to shift back to its roots as a low-key, authentic event was a strategic decision by STA that has been well-socialized among key stakeholders for more than a year, and in the local community for months. STA congratulates the Civic Beautification and Environmental Awareness Committee in conjunction with the City of Stratford’s Community Services for running a lovely local event that included the swan release, contests and carriage rides.
Lori DeGraw, executive director, Stratford Tourism Alliance
If it could happen to her
Re A Doctor’s Murder And The Reality Of Domestic Abuse (April 10): Denise Balkissoon’s column on the murder of an exceptional doctor by another “exceptional” doctor rightly points to problems in the way this was reported in the media. A key aspect of this tragedy that deserves more attention is that we also don’t talk about the accomplishments of the victim – because somehow, neither the press nor the public can accept that a smart woman can allow herself to get involved with an abuser, let alone stay for years.
This avoidance is not just ignorance about how abuse works, it’s caused by fear. The underlying truth of just how easily any girl or woman can become involved with an abuser is terrifying to contemplate: If it can happen to a brilliant doctor, it can happen to anyone.
Janet Panabaker, Kitchener, Ont.
Licence to change
Re Ontario To Scrap ‘Yours To Discover’ Slogan On Licence Plates (April 10): Replace “Yours to Discover” on our licence plates with “A Place to Grow”?
C’mon, what Premier Doug Ford really wants on our plates is “Ford Nation.” Good thing for Ontarians that someone is stuck on that Expo 67 song …
Eric Pelletier, Toronto
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Isn’t it great that Doug Ford has so heartily embraced our new cannabis industry?
Stephen Nash, Toronto
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Some think Doug Ford should not be remaking Ontario licence plates. Others are of the opinion that Mr. Ford should have been making licence plates years ago.
Rob Graham, Claremont, Ont.