Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at Van Andel Arena, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Grand Rapids, Mich. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)Evan Vucci/The Associated Press
In defence
Re “Ottawa’s plans to prepare for the next U.S. president do not include defence spending concessions” (Nov. 6): I find the use of the term “concessions” in this context highly disturbing.
We’re being asked to spend money on defence in keeping with our undertaking to do so. Framing this as a “concession” implies we’re doing something against our own interests under duress.
Canada has become a laggard of NATO. The world is a more dangerous place and we have a huge exposure to malign interests in the North. We should immediately commit to spending 2 per cent of GDP on defence within one to two years. This should be more important (and urgent) than ever in light of the U.S. election results.
This could be funded by de-emphasizing the myriad of social programs currently being implemented: universal dental care and drug coverage, subsidized daycare, etc. Let’s target social spending to those who really need it, and start taking our commitments to defence and our international allies more seriously.
Dave Kennedy Toronto
I think Donald Trump is right about one thing: Canada should increase its defence spending.
So we should greatly strengthen our southern border.
Gordon Cornwall North Vancouver
Breaking news
Re “Trudeau taps Freeland to lead revived U.S. relations cabinet committee in wake of Trump victory” (Nov. 8): The committee should initiate an advertising blitz on the president-elect’s favourite channels – Fox News, One America News Network, Truth Social and X – with a simple message: Canada is his best customer, please be nice to us.
Yes, our modest, low-profile country buys more U.S. goods, and especially manufactured goods, than anyone else on the planet. We buy roughly 1/6th of total U.S. exports and about the same as the European Union’s 27 countries combine. Remove oil from the equation and the United States runs a tidy goods surplus with Canada, not to mention all those Canadians spending their nest eggs in Florida and Vegas.
Does Donald Trump know this? Let’s make sure he does.
Keith Bradley Mississauga
How?
Re “Trump’s election is a crisis like no other, not only for the U.S. but the world” (Nov. 7): In his first administration, Donald Trump was constrained by people in the White House who had a far greater knowledge of the U.S. Constitution and American political traditions than he did.
Their primary loyalty was to the principles governing the executive branch, rather than to Mr. Trump as an individual. This went so far as ignoring or “forgetting” his orders.
The next Trump administration will likely be far more focused. Staff will likely be carefully selected to ensure their loyalty to Mr. Trump, or at least to the ideals of the right.
Mr. Trump’s lack of understanding of the written and unwritten restraints on the U.S. presidency is perhaps far more dangerous than any specific policy.
Bruce Couchman Ottawa
Re “Trump’s spectacular comeback was fuelled by America’s angst” (Nov. 7): Who can blame Americans for focusing on problems they experience daily, such as inflation, when casting their ballots? However, this behaviour points to yet another dispiriting aspect of the U.S. election that can also be observed in Canada.
When voters are concerned primarily with the short term, few leaders dare champion solutions to challenges such as climate change, defence, productivity and international development that require long-term, more nuanced policy, including commitment of public funds through taxation.
It’s easier and likely more politically astute to promise painless solutions – axe the tax – and punt the intractable problems down the road.
Martha Musgrove Ottawa
I don’t buy this.
I was born and raised in the United States and educated there through high school. I know American voters.
Half of them loved and fought to defend slavery. Half of them defended Jim Crow. Half of them think the New Deal was socialism.
American voters rejected Democratic “elites?” By what definition are Donald Trump, Elon Musk and top Republican donors not elites?
Joe Biden restored New Deal-style measures for working people. Mr. Trump will likely dismantle them.
My family was very poor during the Great Depression. They voted for the New Deal and put on the uniform to fight fascism.
If Americans today voted down a New Deal and put fascists into high office, then that is their moral choice and responsibility. No doubt they have their reasons, but they should have no excuses.
Elaine Bander Montreal
Everyone asks how a sophisticated and advanced country such as the United States can elect a president like Donald Trump. I don’t have a definitive answer, but I have long despaired at the lack of history and civics we teach at home and in our schools. I have long feared that we would one day pay for it.
On Remembrance Day and U.S. Veterans Day, let’s remember it’s not just about grieving dead soldiers. It’s also about not forgetting history, not downplaying its importance and not letting millions of soldiers and innocent civilians pay the tab.
Lest we forget.
Steve Parish Ajax, Ont.
Under wraps
Re “List of 900 alleged Nazi war criminals won’t be released by Ottawa” (Nov. 6): The narrative about there being “thousands” of “Nazi war criminals” hiding in Canada was conclusively refuted by the Commission of Inquiry on War Criminals, headed by Justice Jules Deschênes.
He ordered his commission’s subject files to be kept confidential to protect the privacy of hundreds of innocent Canadians and their descendants. Releasing the names of persons not found guilty of wrongdoing during the Second World War would serve no public good.
Unfortunately, some people have forgotten Mr. Deschênes’s prescription: “The Commission has not been created to revive old hatred that once existed abroad between communities which should now live in peace in Canada.”
Lubomyr Luciuk, Professor, Royal Military College of Canada Kingston
Fatal flaw
Re “The courts are the worst place to address complex MAID cases” (Nov. 5): How is medical assistance in dying “different from a doctor conducting 430 heart surgeries or 430 hip replacements?” Here is one clear difference: The first results in 430 deaths, the latter two aim to result in 430 humans living better in this complex world.
If there is no difference, then the assumption behind this assertion might be believing the only thing that matters in the finality of health care decisions is the autonomy of a physician and of a competent patient.
Many, including myself, would disagree with this assumption.
Gregory Moore MD, MSt (practical ethics) Ottawa
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