Witold Banka, president of the World Anti-Doping Agency, left, and director general Olivier Niggli attend a press conference at the 2024 Summer Olympics, on July 25, in Paris.The Associated Press
Smoke and ash
Re “Jasper wildfire destroys dozens of structures, overwhelms firefighters” (July 26): The catastrophic wildfire in Jasper, Alta., brings home, as did Slave Lake and Fort McMurray, the truth that, like medical practice, politicians must distinguish between symptoms and causes. For example, high blood pressure and fever are symptoms and, while treating them, the underlying causes must also be determined and managed.
Whether started by human misbehaviour or natural causes, fires are much more destructive with high ambient temperatures and drought conditions such as we, and much of the world, are increasingly experiencing with climate change. Our global average temperature increase of 1.5 degrees Celsius may seem insignificant, but the past two weeks of heat dome in Alberta make the abstract very personal.
Calgary oil consultant Peter Tertzakian reminded us in his 2007 book A Thousand Barrels a Second to consider the atmospheric impact of burning that much oil on this planet. We’re well beyond this now and, in Alberta particularly, responsible leaders would face this reality and embrace the “fair transition” that is critical to not only Alberta’s future but that of Earth.
Alberta must of course aggressively treat forest fires, but it must also acknowledge the underlying cause (climate change) and stop denying the role of fossil fuels, especially with the cost-effective and job-enhancing benefits of renewable energy.
David Swann Calgary
I can’t help wondering, as we watch the devastating fire ravage the beautiful town and surrounds of Jasper, if the tearful Premier of Alberta will now start taking seriously the impact of fossil fuels and climate change. Let’s hope.
Joanne Wiggins Victoria
I could not help but feel a little angry at seeing Alberta Premier Danielle Smith getting emotional while discussing the devastation of the once stunningly beautiful town of Jasper. She leads a government that, along with its supporters and those of similar “conservative” persuasion elsewhere, is in denial of the peril of human-driven climate change linked to the use of fossil fuels. This is a case of “reap what you have sown.” Unfortunately, wiser people who hoped for a greener future and voted accordingly are reaping the whirlwind of fire right along with them.
Leonard Baak Stittsville, Ont.
Re “CN suspends service at Jasper because of raging wildfire, Trans Mountain pipeline still operating” (Report on Business, July 26): Does anyone else find it ironic that one of the key pieces of infrastructure the firefighters remaining in Jasper are protecting is the Trans Mountain Pipeline?
Chris Stoate Oakville, Ont.
Olympic ideals?
Re “The World Anti-Doping Agency tries to project calm at Olympics following controversy involving Chinese swimmers” (Sports, July 26): Setting aside national Olympic aspirations, the unsettling facts emerging from international tournaments are now demonstrating just how few countries (and their officials) are prepared to live up to the true values of sportsmanship. Instead, it is all about gaming the system to gain an illicit upper hand.
Why not? When caught, there are few consequences. No longer must-watch events, these tournaments have simply become costly distractions to establish who can cheat the best.
It is all so tiresomely predictable. Don’t get me started on the boneheaded move by staff on the Canadian soccer team. It perfectly illustrates the breadth and depth of the depraved drive to win at all costs.
Sadly, Canadian athletes can choose to not participate and miss the challenges of competing against the “best” in the world. Or they can do so understanding that they and their competition are all dedicating their young lives to filling the coffers of a completely corrupted system. Or we can find a third way.
One wonders what will it take to end the silliness. There are so many better ways to spend scarce resources and yet still have great competition.
Brian Sterling Oakville, Ont.
Re “Who’s to blame for Canada’s sports scandals? You and me” (Sports, July 26): To say that we are all to blame for this soccer mess is ludicrous. While there is immense pressure on sports organizations, programs within them, associated staff and their athletes to perform at their highest level in order to sustain their very existence, we are not to blame. There have long been ethical standards to which all sports personnel must subscribe. Every sport has them as well as mechanisms to police them.
The vices of greed, fame, power and influence may taint any of the well-intentioned. It is up to sports organizations to apply the correct balance of pressure and support to keep things in check. And while the measured response to this soccer mess has been arguably late, the mechanism has been applied and people will be held to account.
It will likely happen again and again in sports, but only because we are imperfect humans. Thank you to Canada Soccer and the Canadian Olympic Committee for having high standards. Now, let’s get on with the Games!
Barry Armstrong Manotick, Ont.
Notwithstanding
Re “Are we supposed to just sit and wait for Canada’s inevitable constitutional crisis?” (Opinion, July 26): Andrew Coyne’s preference for a revival of the federal government’s right to disallow provincial legislation, as a means of defending the Charter, is a little remarkable. Federal disallowance of provincial legislation is generally considered to be a “dormant” provision in the Constitution, one not used since 1943, the revival of which would create a crisis to be sure. However, in desperate times there might be an acceptance of desperate measures.
But his dislike of the “unelected” Senate is unfortunate. The conflicts between the U.S. House of Representatives and the elected Senate that so dominate the news make the Canadian Senate, careful not to frustrate the House of Commons, seem quite benevolent. And Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s policy of not appointing to the Senate those with established political biases, giving preference to Canadians who have specialist knowledge that grants authority to their amendment of legislation, is a real benefit to Canadian democracy. And if it serves to defend the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, I am all for it.
Nicholas Tracy Fredericton
Cash flow negative
Re “Just over 80% of new condo investors in Toronto are losing money on their rentals” (Report on Business, July 26): I’m not sorry to hear this news. Young people today, my daughters included, are feeling a sense of hopelessness about ever being able to afford a home. Certainly, our skyrocketing immigration numbers are increasing demand, but so are real estate speculators who drive up home prices in pursuit of profits.
Homes should be to live in – and anyone who works hard should be able to afford a home. If you want to make profit, invest in stocks or gold. Leave homes alone.
Graham Farrell Toronto
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