Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre rises during Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Oct. 3.PATRICK DOYLE/The Canadian Press
Now or…
Re “Hope, history and hubris: Why it’s hard to walk away in politics – even from a dumpster fire” (Sept. 28): Perhaps by leaving now, Justin Trudeau would give the Liberals a chance to retain more than the seven seats the Ontario Liberals saved after Kathleen Wynne’s loss in 2018.
There are many of us who voted Liberal in the past, can’t tolerate Pierre Poilievre and would vote for a Liberal Party led by someone else – someone who can demonstrate that they can get things done.
Mr. Trudeau should leave now and give the Liberals a chance to retain double-digit seats.
Marilyn Dolenko Ottawa
“There’s no heir apparent.” While technically true – there’s no single crown prince or princess in waiting – more than a half-dozen qualified Liberal leadership hopefuls are in line to take over from Justin Trudeau.
Nobody of note in Ontario was lining up to replace Kathleen Wynne.
Bill Dempster Ottawa
Can we manage?
Re “How not to run a country: Government ineptitude and Canada’s economic malaise” (Report on Business, Sept. 28): Most countries that have attempted to “manage” their economies through central government have failed miserably. One is left to wonder what makes Canadians think that we are somehow different.
I’m not suggesting that governments must all be led by only economists, or that bureaucracies consist only of science and math wizards. But would it be too much to ask ourselves to at least bring more balance to those entities?
Let’s not relearn what we and others already know.
Brian Sterling Oakville, Ont.
So he says
Re “Politicking Pierre can do better than silly sloganeering” (Opinion, Sept. 28): I nodded so vigorously while reading Marsha Lederman’s column that I made myself dizzy.
With so many Canadians wanting change in Ottawa, surely we will reach a point where Pierre Poilievre gives into expectations of intelligent discussion and policy options.
Won’t he? Please?
Mike Winward Burlington, Ont.
Columnist Marsha Lederman decries Pierre Poilievre’s “cheesy” campaign slogans and criticizes their lack of substance.
Far from being “silly,” these slogans succinctly and effectively remind voters of the perceived stagnation, even regression, in the Trudeau government’s handling of many important areas over the past eight years.
These trite slogans can be distilled into one: “It’s time for a change.”
Edward Sadowski New Westminster, B.C.
Any more obvious
Re “The message” (Letters, Sept. 28): The carbon tax is a human tragedy. It uses the price system to help us see what is in increasingly short supply: the very ecosystem in which we live.
There is probably no price more apparent than that of fuel at every gas station. I see no more transparent way to pass a price signal to us “common” folk that change is needed.
We humans have not all accepted what is right in front of us. The recommended “axe,” appealing to our worst nature, would only hasten the clear-cutting of our future.
It is the opposite of a “positive tribal story,” as one letter-writer describes, but convincing to those who cannot stand the truth.
Bill Jennings Kingston, Ont.
Takes a village
Re “Men benefit from our world of ‘greedy work’ " (Opinion, Sept. 28): I completely agree with contributor Elizabeth Renzetti that men benefit from “greedy work,” at the expense of the interrupted career trajectories of their spouses.
I would argue that the underpinning of this “system” is the fundamentally flawed concept of the nuclear family. Today it is logistically near impossible for two adults, alone, to manage the constant demands of child rearing and also both be on-call and available for overtime.
Which may explain why those of us who experienced this self-defeating conflict during our own work lives are so ready to help our daughters by providing the dependable child care they need to maintain and grow their careers. Only the lucky few who have retired, able-bodied parents can reap the benefits of raising their kids within an extended, non-nuclear family.
Lise Hendlisz Toronto
Life lesson
Re “Home Children: A found poem about dire straits in a strange land” (Opinion, Sept. 28): As the grandson of a home child, I often think their lives should be celebrated and modelled.
My grandfather was orphaned at age 8 and shipped to Canada at 12. He worked on a farm, essentially an indentured servant until 16. Legally permitted to leave the farm, he enlisted in the Canadian Army.
His life was not easy, but he eventually married, raised two young children after the premature death of his first wife, acquired a farm and became a community volunteer. What I find inspirational about his life is that he did not allow his circumstances to define him or his family. A significant percentage of Canadians who contribute to our nation can trace their histories back to these children.
Too often, I see Canadians play the poor-me card. I admire people like my grandfather who endeavour to improve their reality, rather than succumb to defeatism or self-pity.
Ted Wiggans Harvey Station, N.B.
Pet project
Re “Veterinary medicine is in crisis, and your pandemic pets are only one reason why” (Opinion, Sept. 28): Considering that the fastest growing segment of our population consists of individuals living alone, pets have taken on key roles in easing what some term a pandemic of loneliness. It should come as no surprise, then, that accessible and affordable veterinary care has become a broader issue of societal health and well-being.
There are solutions to this burgeoning veterinary crisis. And as is the case for numerous social problems, fixing it requires attention and action from policy-makers and regulators.
But before that can happen, those of us who love animals – and the people who care for them – should advocate on their behalf.
Barbara Sulzenko-Laurie Hamilton, Ont.
Read on
Re “The creeping desert eroding local news” (Editorial, Sept. 28): As Kamloops (population 100,000-plus) grows, its traditional media outlets shrink or disappear altogether. Citizens of smaller centres should consider what is replacing those outlets.
Here, a former newspaper editor provides daily blogs on local issues; a collection of young journalists dedicated to in-depth, community-funded coverage is increasing its presence; a new society is making strides toward re-establishing a print newspaper.
Citizens should take action by paying for the journalism they value. I ask Globe and Mail readers to join me in backing local news providers with their pocketbooks.
Ginny Ratsoy Kamloops, B.C.
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