People disembark from a ferry at the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal in downtown Toronto on July 29.Laura Proctor/The Globe and Mail
Common clause
Re “Are we supposed to just sit and wait for Canada’s inevitable constitutional crisis?” (Opinion, July 27): Former Saskatchewan NDP premier and attorney-general Allan Blakeney, who fought hard for the inclusion in the Charter of the notwithstanding clause, wrote in an academic paper in 2010 that invoking it does not constitute a “suspension of rights.”
“The state could, for economic or social reasons, or because other rights were found … to be more important, choose to override a Charter-protected right,” he wrote. “The Charter should not be regarded as creating a hierarchy of rights.”
Saskatchewan has invoked the clause three times, in contrast to the hundreds of times it has been invoked in Quebec. Why is one Canadian province said to be rewriting the rules when it avails itself, in the name of legislative sovereignty, of the same powers that Quebec does?
The notwithstanding clause is part of our Constitution and of a necessary tension and balance between judicial and legislative, federal and provincial powers.
Bronwyn Eyre, Saskatchewan Minister of Justice and Attorney-General Saskatoon
Lost in translation
Re “Quebec injects politics into its health care system” (Editorial, Aug. 2): If an American tourist having a medical emergency dies in Quebec because there was delay and miscommunication due to a lack of English health care providers, the linguistic-policy bunch would have a staring contest with the tourism and treasury bunch.
Bruce Craig St. Stephen, N.B.
Gone hunting
Re “Alberta’s move to reopen the grizzly hunt should only have been made after public consultation” (Opinion, Aug. 3): The grizzly bear hunt in Alberta was discontinued in 2006 but is being reinstated, against the advice of many bear experts, by Forestry and Parks Minister Todd Loewen.
Mr. Loewen, who used to own an outfitting company and is still connected to the guiding and hunting industry, says “it’s normal government practice to have someone with a vested interest in an industry oversee its regulation.” That will be reassuring news to the grizzlies.
Kerrie Hale Calgary
Afterword
Re “Do protest” (Letters, Aug. 3): A letter-writer argues that the campaign to divest from Israel has already seen a “tangible impact” because Scotiabank reduced its holdings in one Israeli arms manufacturer, but notably still maintains a large investment.
Before protesters celebrate too prematurely, some of the world’s biggest mutual fund providers have made up for that investment, showing that as long as terrorist groups such as Hamas wage war on Israel, Jerusalem will be forced to defend itself.
Attempts to stop Israel from defending itself against a terrorist organization are most likely doomed to fail. It should also be considered morally indefensible.
Robert Walker Assistant director, HonestReporting Canada Toronto
I am a Canadian writer, heartbroken over the violence, mental and physical suffering and loss of life in the Middle East. May peace prevail.
The writing community in Canada is not united in protesting the Giller Prize, although some letter-writers seem to give that impression. If what I have read is accurate, the board of the Giller Foundation listened closely to all views put forward about Scotiabank’s sponsorship. I am sure they discussed the issue fully and I respect their decision not to use the prize as a political tool.
If a book of mine were ever nominated for the Giller Prize, I’d feel honoured.
Rona Altrows Calgary
Bridge too far
Re “Is it finally time for a bridge to the Toronto Islands?” (Aug. 3): No, no and no.
What makes the Toronto Islands so attractive is the fact that it is cut off from the city itself; there is visible and accessible open lake and lots of trees and green spaces where family picnics can happen on grass; there is a small but significant residential community that keeps it safe night and day.
There should be more places like this. May I nominate Ontario Place? Open it back up to provide more trees, shade and green space for the young families of the province who need it.
Bridget Hough Toronto
I don’t agree that the lengthy wait times and crowds striving to get to the Toronto Islands show a need for a bridge. I suggest that a more reasonable evaluation of this alternative should be made when all four of the city’s ferries are actually operating.
Two ferries have been intermittently out of service this summer. No wonder there are lineups. A better option would be to ensure there are always four operational ferries, and maybe an extra one as backup.
One should not underestimate how exciting it can be for young Torontonians to be taken by their parents for a ride on the ferry. Our own kids and grandkids loved the ferry ride, as did we.
A marine adventure is a joyful experience in our urban environment.
Ted Swain Toronto
News diet
Re “Please stop helping us: the newspaper bailout is a comprehensive policy failure” (Opinion, Aug. 3): Columnist Andrew Coyne writes that people who want to read newspapers will, of course, pay the resulting higher prices if there were no subsidies. I know a number of people who, because they can’t afford it, have already cut back the number of newspapers they buy, or have even stopped buying them altogether.
Many people are struggling financially, some of whom may want to keep up with the news but will choose groceries over The Globe and Mail.
Olga Eizner Favreau Montreal
Meet the letter-writers
Throughout the late spring and summer, The Globe will feature personal insights and missives from some of our most frequent contributors every Sunday in Letters to the Editor. Survey responses were collected as a part of the research behind A Nation’s Paper: The Globe and Mail in the Life of Canada, a collection of history essays from Globe writers past and present, coming this fall from Signal/McClelland & Stewart.
(The following responses were received by The Globe after a call for submissions in May, 2023.)
I tend to write pithy, short pieces that poke fun at events, situations or politicians. When I do get a letter in The Globe, I have an extra spring in my walk that day. It often leads to hearing from friends and family.
The only letter I regret is one expressing my support of WE Charity on July 15, 2020. In the weeks following it, more reporting emerged that made me regret jumping to support the organization so quickly.
I am a little disappointed that as we go digital, it is easier for readers to skip over the letters and go to specific topics of interest. It means less people reading a variety of opinions.
Having said that, I will continue to write and read. I am always grateful to be, well, part of the conversation. It will continue to be the first section I go to every morning.
Tom Scanlan Toronto
I am engaged with politics and events in Canada and internationally, with a deep commitment to social justice and human rights activism.
You offer up a good balance of perspectives, but maybe The Globe and its letter-writers are somewhat more “woke” (a word that should be reappropriated by the left), meaning that they are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. The right-wing rabble don’t seem to read The Globe.
Too many letters seem predictable, developing or approving thoughts made in the piece in question. I would like to see more contrarian thinking and alternate perspectives.
I was pleased, for example, that you wisely edited and printed my comment that gambling ads should be required to inform the public what percentage of wagers are returned to bettors.
Michael Craig Owen Sound, Ont.
My wife doesn’t listen to me any more. The Globe does 10 per cent of the time.
I obviously like all my submissions. If not, I wouldn’t submit. Humour and sarcasm allow me to stay away from recanting.
But I did write a letter suggesting the Edmonton Oilers erect a statue of beloved dressing room attendant Joey Moss, after his passing, next to Wayne Gretzky’s in front of their arena. Since the gambling commercials featuring Mr. Gretzky, I now suggest they take his statue down and outright replace it with one of Mr. Moss.
Steven Brown 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