British Columbia Premier David Eby, left, speaks to reporters with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith during meetings with Canada's other premiers at the Council of the Federation meetings in Halifax on July 16.Darren Calabrese/The Canadian Press
Order in the house
Re “Canadians deserve decorum in their Parliament” (Aug. 6): I see MPs more interested in producing social-media sound bites than engaging in parliamentary debate as showing contempt for the institution and for Canadians. But in a deeper sense, I believe they are reflecting trends in Canadian society.
I have noticed that increasingly, in many social contexts, political discussion only occurs amongst the like-minded, and those of differing political opinions are shunned. This accompanies a general lowering of political discourse and the growing influence of disinformation, both foreign and domestic.
If one’s ideas are never challenged, they can become enfeebled and incoherent. Political discussion, rather than being a search for compromise, descends into a test of ideological purity.
Most disturbingly, I see this trend where debate is most necessary: not just in the media and Parliament, but also at universities and in the worlds of art and literature.
Ryan Whyte Toronto
What exactly does one expect the other side to do, other than mock and insult, when I rarely hear politicians answer a question?
If I ever went to a town hall with Justin Trudeau, or any politician in power, the first question I would ask is, “Why do you rarely answer a question?” I would bet dollars to doughnuts he would not even answer that simple question, and instead pause for a moment to consider his talking points, then regurgitate the one closest to the subject.
To fix decorum, one first needs politicians who do not act like robots, and instead believe the public is entitled to relevant answers to their questions.
Jason New Foothills County, Alta.
Former speaker Peter Milliken advocates “a commitment to truth in policy discussions and a steadfast adherence to civility, while rejecting personal attacks and character assassinations.” It seems Pierre Poilievre does not agree.
Stuart MacKinnon Ottawa
Don’t care for it
Re “Enough with the health care scare tactics” (Aug. 6): Why is it that whenever we talk about “private” health care, it involves private for-profit clinics where services cost more than in a public hospital or clinic? How can government justify using taxpayer dollars to pay more to a private clinic than it can spend at a public facility? It makes no sense to me.
I also wonder why the people who push for private health care are mostly well-heeled: business types, right-leaning politicians, cloistered academics, newspaper opinion writers and others with vested interests? I suspect most of these folks can well afford to pay for private health care, or go to the United States or elsewhere when they need a doctor.
I seldom hear blue-collar types, seniors or those struggling to make ends meet demanding that we have more private health care.
Ken Cuthbertson Kingston
Productive conversation
Re “Economists must convince the public that productivity isn’t just a number” (Report on Business, Aug. 6): It astounds me that the same argument prevails over and over on our low productivity growth versus the G7: Too much taxation is the major culprit. However, no one mentions the loss of hundreds of thousands of well-paying, high-skilled unionized jobs since free trade.
So labour productivity in the United States grew by 100 per cent since 1985 and only 40 per cent in Canada. But if one kills hundreds of thousands of skilled jobs, one’s labour productivity will decline, especially if they are replaced with low-skilled jobs and unskilled workers are imported to hew wood and haul water.
When corporate Canada only seems interested in the next quarterly earnings, share buybacks and building retained earnings, we have a serious problem. Only corporate Canada, then, can solve our productivity problem with a change in mindset. Ban share buybacks and tax retained earnings sufficiently to persuade more investment in this country.
Michael Marmoreo Toronto
Work life
Re “Corporate co-operation” (Letters, Aug. 6): A letter-writer states that employees who “look out” rather than “in” their organizations “bodes ill for organizational loyalty.” Loyalty is a two-way street and a declining number of organizations, especially large public organizations, can be said to be truly loyal to employees.
As a result, I have told my children: “You are employed by your employer, but you work for yourself.”
Richard Austin Toronto
Afford it?
Re “After 131 years, Queen’s Park is in dire need of renovations” (Aug. 3): Now that the cost of renovations is public knowledge, it cannot be long before the Ontario government will announce the closing of Queen’s Park.
A location will likely be sought for its replacement, maybe a park in the suburbs or possibly the Greenbelt. I predict an international request for proposals for redeveloping the legislative building’s prominent site at the head of Toronto’s University Avenue.
Will it include vote-getting high-density housing, along with a lucrative use of the historic structure? Who is betting on a casino?
George Hume Toronto
Sight to behold
Re “I’ll take the window seat, please. Where better to enjoy the magic of airplane travel?” (First Person, July 31): I, too, always want a window seat. I love watching the world below. But it has not always been easy.
Years ago, I was looking out the window when a flight attendant asked me to lower the blind. I objected.
She informed me that my fellow passengers wanted to better see the movie. I told her the best movie was outside: the Grand Canyon. I kept the blind up.
Another time, my husband and I flew out of Vancouver. Anticipating a wonderful view of the mountains, we booked two window seats months in advance.
When we checked in, we learned that some well-intentioned airline employee had moved us well away from the windows so we could sit together, and it was impossible to have our seats changed back. We were not happy once in the air to hear other passengers ooh-ing and ahh-ing at the great views.
Jane Pitblado Ottawa
Extra mile
Re “Newsworthy” (Letters, Aug. 6): Following the story about the swift actions of a newspaper carrier to come to a letter-writer’s aid, my story also should be told.
When my newspaper carrier heard that I had been waiting for hip replacement surgery, this dear man made a point of getting out of his car and walking up my driveway each morning, throughout the snows of winter and slush of spring, to deposit my paper carefully on the arm of a chair on my porch.
Such kindness warmed my heart and certainly speeded my recovery.
Alison Kyba Guelph, Ont.
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