The Peace Tower is pictured on Parliament Hill on Thursday, April 4, 2019.Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press
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‘Wow. Just wow’
Re Trudeau Defends Expulsions, And His Leadership; Wilson-Raybould Says PM Owes Canadians An Apology (April 4): Wow, just wow. Demands by Jody Wilson-Raybould regarding Supreme Court nominations to further her agenda, intransigence on a key legal file with wide implications, a surreptitious recording, and now, demands bordering on coercion?
Demanding the PM allegedly fire some of his most senior staff? And allegedly adding more conditions as efforts to find a compromise went on? (If you do this and this, and fire these people, then maybe it all goes away – oh and can I have an apology with that?) This from a former A-G and justice minister? “My truth” indeed.
Ms. Wilson-Raybould might never say something that wasn’t true, but has no problem keeping a story in her back pocket for the right time to pounce with it. Too much respect for the oath of cabinet confidentiality to speak, but no qualms about a secret recording. She was elected to serve Canadians, but her strategy and tactics appear to be more of the self-serve variety. And we are talking about Justin Trudeau’s character and actions? Puh-lease.
Meanwhile, Siemens, a global poster child for deferred prosecution agreements after its DPA with German prosecutors and paying huge fines in the U.S., is the company chosen to build VIA Rail’s next generation of train cars and locomotives.
The irony drips from this story.
Marc Doré, Montreal
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I feel like a child caught up in a nasty divorce. On one hand, I’m 100-per-cent supportive of Jody Wilson-Raybould, on the other, I’m supportive of the Prime Minister. Each was highly protective of their own territory, however, as in any acrimonious divorce, neither takes responsibility for their actions, which is why it has evolved into such a bitter dispute.
While I admire Ms. Wilson-Raybould’s sense of integrity, I do not approve of her tactics. She could have accepted her superior’s lead and let him accept the consequences, or resign. As for the PM, if he had acknowledged the truth of the inappropriate pressure on the A-G at the outset, apologized, and analyzed the situation more carefully in order to change policy, the Liberals wouldn’t be in the situation they are in today. Nevertheless, the lack of leadership in this singular situation has not altered my faith in the Liberal Party.
Mary Ellen Aronoff, Toronto
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Justin Trudeau accused two of his ministers of breach of trust – the reason for expelling them from the Liberal caucus. But didn’t the breach of trust begin with his own actions and the PMO’s, as is so clearly evident from the testimony of Jody Wilson-Raybould and confirmed by the taped conversation with the clerk of the Privy Council? Why does the PM refuse to look at the man in the mirror?
Dennis Bobyn, Victoria
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I can’t help but be grateful that Jody Wilson-Raybould was not the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Chrystia Freeland has spent the past year or more dealing with massive pressure from our giant next-door neighbour – handling it with assurance, patience and open, intelligent communication. A far cry from the hostile, self-aggrandizing manner in which Ms. Wilson-Raybould has conducted herself over recent events.
Robin Nish, Victoria
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Re Trudeau Chooses Power Over Principles (April 4): This debate, much like the Brexit imbroglio, is making a lot of people literally feel sick. Ottawa is not the Vatican, I get that. Do we really need another esoteric debate on principles? A sedating dose of realpolitik, on the other hand, could serve the nation very well at this time.
Faz Rahman, Toronto
Respect the Commons
The actions of some 50 of the 338 Daughters of the Vote delegates who were given the great privilege of sitting in Parliament, in turning their backs on the Prime Minister, and worse yet, walking out while Opposition Leader Andrew Scheer spoke, display a profound disrespect and ignorance of the fundamental purpose of the House of Commons.
It is a place for open debate in a civilized fashion, where the requirements of our democracy include respect for your political opponents, even though you may profoundly and completely disagree with their political viewpoint. Turning away, or walking away without bothering to listen, is an act of political cowardice and disrespect for an institution bought and paid for by the blood of our ancestors.
Richard J. Gilborn, Calgary
Energy, GHG logistics
Re An Energy-Hungry World Won’t Wait For Canada (April 4): Dave McKay, president and CEO of Royal Bank of Canada, pays lip service in his article to the need to “move to ever-cleaner fuel sources,” but then devotes most of the opinion piece to arguing for more of the polluting varieties of energy. He wants to “develop our natural resources.” What he is talking about is pumping and burning more oil and gas, and belching even more greenhouse gases (GHG) into the atmosphere.
Is this the new strategy of fossil-fuel boosters: 1) Say the right things about climate change, and 2) Stall? In effect, Mr. McKay is saying: Sure, we need to do something about greenhouse gases and we will get serious some day – just not yet. In the meantime, let’s do the exact opposite, pump and burn even more oil and gas and ramp up carbon emissions. So, reduce GHGs by increasing GHGs?
George Orwell would be impressed.
Jack Hanna, Ottawa
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Dave McKay is on the wrong track about our energy future. Wise investors here and globally can see the long-term unsustainability of our fossil-fuel sector. The Royal Bank will be doing its customers and shareholders a great disservice if it continues on as if we were still in the 20th century. Wake up and abandon the stranded assets.
Tom Needham, Haliburton, Ont.
Symbol ‘crimes’
How will Quebec actually ensure compliance with the proposed new religious symbols law?
A precedent was set years ago by the establishment of the Office québécois de la langue française, better known as the “Language Police.” Perhaps they could establish a new Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, to be known as the “Fashion Police.” Seems to work well in Saudi Arabia …
Gary Kapelus, Toronto
Mueller, unredacted
Re U.S. House Committee Approves Subpoenas For Unredacted Mueller Report, Related Evidence (April 4): Given reports that some Mueller investigators say their findings are far worse for Donald Trump than Attorney-General William Barr has admitted, how long will it be before the entire Mueller report has its Pentagon Papers moment?
Terry Downey, Calgary
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Russia … if you are listening, would you please release the Mueller report?
John P. D. Batson, Ottawa