Ukrainian military vehicles pass a sign reading Ukraine, left, and Russia near the destroyed Russian border post on the Russian side of the Sudzha border crossing with Ukraine, on Aug. 12.DAVID GUTTENFELDER/The New York Times News Service
Escalation
Re “No matter what happens next, Ukraine’s attack on Russia is a win for Kyiv” (Opinion, Aug. 14): I am aghast that the land invasion of another country can be termed a “win.” Ukraine has every right to defend itself against Russia’s invasion, but invading the Kursk region is a blatant escalation of affairs. Why are “Ukrainian forces [controlling] dozens of settlements stretching over 1,000 square kilometres” a benefit for anyone? Vladimir Putin is an autocrat and a war criminal, and he should be punished, but civilians who suffer under him shouldn’t, and certainly not by a brute-force invasion. The opinion article estimates that “by the end of this week, as many as a quarter-million Russians will have been evacuated.” As the article points out, this violent escalation may lead Mr. Putin to take more desperate and dangerous actions. Ukraine’s invasion of Kursk is not an act of heroism, but of militarism and needless violence.
Iain McInnes Ottawa
Wildfire prevention
Re “Vancouver narrowly dodged a fire disaster. But nowhere is truly safe” (Opinion, Aug. 13): From 2016-2022 I was an appointed, volunteer member of the Climate Action Committee of the City of Port Moody. One of my primary concerns was the risk of a wildfire in the forest adjacent to my neighbourhood on the east side of Burnaby Mountain. The thick, second-growth forest is on the Burnaby side of the boundary between Port Moody and Burnaby.
To the best of my knowledge, the City of Burnaby does not have a wildfire prevention program as a component of its Community Safety Plan (2022). They will simply deploy firefighters and other resources to suppress a fire once it is raging. But the administration of Simon Fraser University, on top of Burnaby Mountain, was concerned enough about the wildfire risk that it commissioned a consultant to assess the risk and recommend mitigation measures.
The report provides advice about fuel management, improving suppression capacity and better access. All of these actions should be applied to the Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area that rings SFU in order to protect the campus and adjacent residential neighbourhoods.
Metro Vancouver, the regional authority, needs to exercise its leadership by developing a regional urban forest management and wildfire prevention plan. The province needs to provide significant, long-term funding to implement these plans in order to avoid a conflagration.
Derek Wilson Port Moody, B.C.
C change
Re “Maple Leafs appoint Matthews as captain, replacing Tavares” (Sports, Aug. 15): How ‘bout those Leafs? The naming of Auston Matthews as captain demonstrates the Leafs’ historical lack of respect for their captains and upper management’s lack of intelligence. To strip the “C” from John Tavares, who has served honorably and well as captain and who is entering the last year of his current contract, shows an utter lack of respect. Tavares is a very good player who has led with class, both on and off the ice. The Leafs’ brain trust could have quietly spent this coming season coaxing him to declare free agency, be traded or retire with his dignity and self-respect intact.
There’s no denying that Mr. Matthews is a great player and currently one of the best in the league. However, many other teams’ best players have never been their teams’ captain – Guy Lafleur and Bobby Orr come to mind. Great captains are very good players who command the respect of their mates and literally carry their teams on their backs to win championships – Mark Messier and Derek Jeter come to mind. In the eight seasons he’s been a Leaf, Mr. Matthews has failed to do this.
At the press conference, Mr. Tavares said all the right things but looked sad and embarrassed. Mr. Matthews looked embarrassed and unconvincingly mumbled a few platitudes. Management tried to look prescient and optimistic. How ‘bout those Leafs.
Gerard Shkuda Burlington, Ont.
In reverse?
Re “Tariffs on Chinese EVs are a no-brainer. Why is Ottawa dragging its feet?” (Report on Business, Aug. 15): We have spent an enormous amount on battery-building capacity and now we want to put tariffs on a solution that is environmentally friendly. Unfortunately, there seems to be insufficient investment in expanding the number of recharging stations. The tariffs and the lack of insufficient investment in EV charging stations will not help Canada reach its target of converting all vehicles sold in Canada to EVs by 2035. Perhaps it is time for a rethink?
Richard van der Jagt Ottawa
Pick up
Re “The first pay-phone patent” (Moment in Time, Aug. 13): I would contend that there is still a role for the payphone, in particular for chronically or momentarily disadvantaged persons or those fleeing domestic violence. Such persons are also those least likely to have a cellphone or even have funds to use a payphone.
In 2021, Australian telecommunications provider Telstra took the initiative to make domestic calls from any payphone in Australia free. At the time, the company noted: “We want to contribute to … an Australia where people can reach out for help if and when they need to, or just connect if they feel like it.”
Could Bell take a similar approach? The company gets great mileage from its Let’s Talk program. Making payphones free would ensure that everyone can be part of such a program and get help and support as needed.
Michael O’Brien Beaconsfield, Que.
Good point
Re “There’s an apostrophe battle brewing among grammar nerds. Is it Harris’ or Harris’s?” (Aug. 14): Thank you for your excellent and important front page article about apostrophes and the U.S. Democratic contenders for 2024. However, an equally important point was missed. It is my firm belief that Ms should not have a period after it. Periods after Mr. & Mrs.? These are okay because the periods signify a contraction. Ms is different. Please inform Ms Harris’s and Mr. Walz’s campaign.
Cathy Harrop Canmore, Alta.
I enjoyed your attention to the placement of the apostrophe in your “Harris’ or Harris’s” article. More than 60 years ago my high school English teacher, Mrs. Lazarus (who always got everything precise) informed us that both ways are correct and used her own name as an example: Mrs. Lazarus’ class or Mrs. Lazarus’s class.
Where many people misuse the apostrophe is by placing it in words that do not take one – words that are plural but not possessive. Now that is an article the grammar nerds would like to see.
Rosalind Cooper-Key Calgary
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