Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attends the plenary session during the Summit on peace in Ukraine, in Stansstad near Lucerne, Switzerland, on June 16.URS FLUEELER/Reuters
Government review
Re “Liberal MP doesn’t believe party can win next election with Trudeau at the top of the ticket” (Sept. 10): The problems the Liberal government are grappling with come from decades of neglect by previous governments, both Liberal and Conservative.
They include defunding social housing projects under Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation; ignoring demographics pointing to impending pressure on housing and health care; defunding science, particularly climate science; neglecting public infrastructure; neglecting education and research that would ensure the work force and economy adjust to globalization; allowing provinces to ignore persistently low minimum wages, among other economic and social issues.
The mess we are in today, then, is the result of decades of misguided neo-liberal thinking that the market can solve our problems, whereas common-sense policies may have done a better job of ensuring that our social democracy left no one behind. It’s sad that low- and middle-income families and the elderly are the biggest losers.
But it’s hardly fair to blame the mess on one prime minister or their government.
Glenna Jenkins Economist, Lunenburg, N.S.
Re “Five chiefs of staff set to leave the Trudeau government” (Sept. 9): I wonder whether this might be a good thing?
I find the federal government is not delivering well on Indigenous land and health issues, defence procurement, military support, accountability in health care, preparation for natural and medical emergencies, housing and immigration matters. Nor do I see our officials providing leadership in keeping this democratic nation together, rather than polarizing us.
Are these failures because of incompetent civil servants, incompetent political advisers, poorly devised systems or poor politicians? Or a combination of them all?
Perhaps it is because government is too much about politics and not enough about good planning and administration. Perhaps without political chiefs in the way, ministers might get direct advice from civil servants about effective governing.
Then we would have only three possible causes: politicians, staff or systems.
Glenn Brown Pickering, Ont.
“The majority of the senior staff leaving do not yet have another job lined up, but they are entitled to severance payments.” Nice work if you can get it.
Bill Hollett Markham, Ont.
Re “Trust issues” (Letters, Sept. 9): A letter-writer notes the need for a stronger NDP-Liberal coalition to “stop a Conservative victory.” Why? To extend a failed regime?
This government looks like a disaster on multiple fronts. The Liberals should have a term out of power (and perhaps more) to metaphorically burn the house down and rebuild around core values that don’t start with, “What do we have to look like we’re doing to get re-elected?”
I believe this government has deteriorated into one of the least competent in Canada’s history, and that it will take years to re-establish quality of life, the economy and our global position. The sooner we get after it, the better.
It might even require three-plus days a week in the office.
David Boone Calgary
Bottom line
Re “Ottawa’s cap on international study permits is creating financial consequences for universities, leaders say” (Sept. 7): Where does revenue for universities and colleges come from?
In 2021-22, about half of it came from federal or provincial governments and grants, and only 30 per cent came from tuitions that include the high fees paid by international students. Anyone with business experience would consider the international tuition revenue as opportunistic, because it is difficult to predict and sustain.
Government controls, geopolitical upheavals and the fickleness of students suggest to me that no institution should build their business case on the foundation of foreign student revenue, yet many seemingly have. This suggests a certain hubris or even arrogance on the part of these schools.
As well, many schools still have insufficient student housing, security staff and support for international students. It’s time for these institutions of higher learning to do a better job of running their operations and have expenses fit within revenue.
Arno Schmidt Mississauga
Another year
Re “A new academic year requires a new approach to combatting antisemitism on campus” (Opinion, Sept. 7): Institutional neutrality on political matters should not absolve universities from enforcing codes of conduct on campus. Nor should freedom of expression for students and faculty permit the dissemination and support of discrimination, violence, hate and misinformation.
No student should fear going to university because of their religious affiliation or identity. Unfortunately, last year’s campus upheavals have already surfaced once again.
Bernard Goldman Emeritus professor of surgery (cardiac), University of Toronto
Other side
Re “Ukrainian officials call for documentary on Russian soldiers to be removed from TIFF” (Sept. 7) and “Russian-Canadian director responds to TIFF documentary backlash, says journalists ‘follow the story where it goes’ ” (Sept. 9): Filmmaker Anastasia Trofimova claims that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is unjustified and illegal, yet calls Russian soldiers “absolutely ordinary guys,” blaming Western media for only depicting Russian soldiers as war criminals.
What if these disillusioned soldiers found subversive ways to help Ukrainians instead of killing them? That might be a film worth making and supporting.
A film that turns Russian soldiers into victims does nothing to change the trajectory of this war. Civilians will continue to be terrorized by daily missile attacks and hospitals, schools and energy infrastructure will continue to be targeted.
Ukraine is fighting with one hand tied behind her back, up against a brutal, nuclear-capable aggressor intent on her destruction. Russia has many more “ordinary guys” ready to take the place of the soldiers that Ms. Trofimova met during the making of her film.
Only bold, decisive actions by her allies will help Ukraine end this war.
Natalie Hryciuk Surrey, B.C.
Director Anastasia Trofimova is an incredibly brave and talented film director. Thank you for bringing us this story about her documentary from the Russian side of Vladimir Putin’s war.
To understand what is happening, we must have people like Ms. Trofimova who are willing to risk it all, to tell truths from a side of the war we do not see. The Russian soldiers, by the end of the documentary, have mostly turned away from supporting the war and have no clue why they are there.
It is unfortunate that some reports and Ukrainian diplomats have tried to attack the documentary for supporting the Russian side of this war. I think the opposite: The Russian public needs to see this documentary.
That, of course, will not happen. The Russian government understands the documentary is not Russian propaganda.
David Bell Toronto
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