‘Same rules and fines should apply to politicians’
Re: Going against the Liberal climate narrative now comes at a price — Adam Pankratz, July 28
While I don’t disagree with the idea of businesses being subject to large fines for deceptive marketing, including misleading or false claims related to the environmental impacts of their business activities, it would be nice to see parliamentarians holding themselves and their parties to the same standards they seek to impose on the private sector.
Would parliamentarians consider it reasonable for them as individuals to be subject to minimum fines of $750,000 and their parties to be subject to minimum fines of $10 million for similar deceptive, misleading or false statements? If corporations and individuals are to be held accountable for their words, the same rules and fines should apply to politicians.
A.W. Brennan, London, Ont.
With greenwashing “subject to government oversight,” why is the public sector exempt from this newly amended law? For the past decade Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government has implemented, to the detriment of our economy, new wished-for policies and laws to reduce Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions to unattainable net zero by 2050. The Liberal government’s argument that reducing Canada’s emissions to net zero will save the planet from a climate crisis is the definition of greenwashing.
Canada’s produces 1.5 per cent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. In 2023 global energy-related emissions were up 1.6 per cent. China’s 2023 increase in greenhouse gas emissions exceeded Canada’s total emissions. Global energy feasting continues on an upward trajectory. The federal government’s carbon tax, Bill C-48 (no tankers bill), Bill C-69 (no new pipelines bill), proposed clean fuel regulations, methane emissions reduction and corporate welfare subsidizing EV battery production are all rife with greenwashing.
Sadly this debt-generating greenwashing roadmap has made Canada a poorer and a divided country with a bleak future for generations to come.
William Clancy, Calgary
The once-noble Olympic ideal has been diluted
Re: What we know about the Canada Olympic soccer spying incident — Postmedia Olympic Team, July 24
It is a tragedy that the Olympics ideal has been watered down, resulting in a policy of win-at-all-costs, even if that means participating in actions that are illegal and/or unethical.
In the 1928 Olympics in Amsterdam, an Australian rower by the name of Bobby Pearce was leading the quarter-final race when a family of ducks crossed his path. He stopped rowing and waited patiently until all the ducklings were safe, then continued the race — and won. Now that’s the true Olympic spirit. Pearce went on to win gold, as he did at the next Olympics. (He later immigrated to Canada, becoming a Canadian citizen and serving with the Navy. He was inducted into both the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame and Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame.)
It shouldn’t be whether you win or lose, but how you play the game. The ethical qualities of some modern-day coaches, and some players, have cheapened what used to be a noble and admirable endeavour.
Douglas Cornish, Ottawa
Poor policies fed the Jasper wildfire
Re: Ottawa let wildfire fuel pile up in Jasper for decades — Jamie Sarkonak, July 25; and Jasper wildfire disaster reflects failure of climate moralizing to produce results — Kelly McParland, July 29
The devastating fire in Jasper brought to mind comments made by a First Nations guest speaker at an event in Cochrane, Alta., in February. Joe Gilchrist is a member of the Skeetchestn Indian Band, part of the Secwépemc Nation. He’s also a traditional Firekeeper and co-founder of the Interior Salish Firekeepers. He spoke passionately about the need for better forest management to help create optimum living conditions for our forests and grasslands.
To open his talk, Gilchrist said his grandmother used to tell him that if you can’t walk on the land barefoot, you know something is wrong. A forest overgrown and covered in wildfire fuels is unhealthy and hurts to walk on, much like the grassland that’s overdue for a burn and covered in dead, prickly vegetation. “That forest isn’t healthy, it’s sick,” he said. “Spiritually speaking, there’s always a battle between the light and the dark. If the forest is dark, it’s because it’s too thick and it hasn’t been looked after.”
How many times do any of us listen to our grandmother? When our past has so much to teach us, are we really willing to learn if we aren’t willing to listen?
Paul Baumberg, Dead Man’s Flats, Alta.
The lives of thousands have been forever changed because of the relentless, unpredictable destruction of wildfires. Firefighters on the ground and in the air risk their lives to protect life and property. Much effort is made to manage forests in an effort to reduce the risk of out-of-control fires developing. But sometimes the resources just are not adequate.
Many policy-makers and much of the public believe that human-caused climate change is increasing the risk of wildfires and other natural disasters such as drought and floods. Policy-makers seem unanimous in assuming that the solution to mitigating such disasters lies in eliminating the use of fossil fuels. Trillions of dollars are being spent on government subsidies for electric cars, battery plants, solar power, wind power, carbon capture and so on. None of this is actually saving lives or property from natural disasters and likely will never have a significant impact on any of the effects of a changing climate or in mitigating natural disasters.
The real solution is simpler and more attainable. It lies in directly addressing the threats to life and property. For example, much of the Netherlands has been below sea level for centuries but is inhabited due to a series of dams and sea walls. Droughts and floods can be managed by water storage dams and canals. The effects of life-threatening extreme heat and cold can be controlled by cheap heating and air conditioning. Wildfires can be reduced by more forest management, power line tree clearing and public awareness. These solutions can be costly but there is no doubt about their effectiveness.
Policy-makers should seriously consider reallocating all of the funding that is going towards eliminating fossil fuel use to direct action solutions aimed at specific threats to life and property.
Fred Kardel, Nanaimo
A history lesson for the Foreign Minister
Re: Mélanie Joly struggles to find Israel on a map — Rahim Mohamed, July 30
The reason Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly displays geographical ignorance is her reluctance to publicly admit that the town of Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights is part of Israel, not an “occupied territory” as espoused by the CBC and other left-wing mainstream media. Syria lost the Golan Heights to Israel in the Six-Day War in 1967. Ironically, the United States of America, also as an outcome of war, annexed Texas from Mexico in 1845, and in 1848, many other states, 100 years before the creation of Israel by the United Nations. If the Golan Heights are “occupied territory” so, too, are Texas, California, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, most of Arizona and Colorado, and parts of Oklahoma, Kansas and Wyoming.
Joly needs not only a lesson in geography but also history.
Daniel McAlister, Rankin Island, Lake Muskoka
Precedent exists for compelled treatment for drug addicts
Re: Poilievre is ‘open’ to idea of involuntary drug treatment for addicts, but has doubts — Christopher Nardi, July 25
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has indicated his support for requiring those suffering from a drug addiction to be treated for their addiction, but wonders about the legality of such compelled treatment.
There is a well-established precedent. Under Ontario’s Mental Health Act, police can take a person into custody and take them to a hospital for a psychiatric examination if the officer believes the person has a mental disorder; they are acting in a disorderly manner involving violence or a threat of violence to themselves or another person; and the person’s mental disorder is likely to cause them to harm themselves or another person.
The police can also take a person for a psychiatric examination if they have an order signed by a doctor or a justice of the peace.
Private citizens — usually family members — can file sworn material attesting to the mental health concerns before a justice of the peace indicating that they believe, on reasonable evidence, that the person’s mental state is causing harm to themselves. If the evidence is accepted, police are authorized to take the person to be examined without their consent for a brief period. If a mental health issue is identified, the involuntary hospitalization can be extended for treatment.
It has long been accepted that alcoholism and drug addiction are mental health issues. If so, then the current act would appear to authorize treatment as an option, rather than the criminal justice system, and rather than the current preference for “harm reduction” — facilitating the addiction through providing drugs and drug usage equipment in chaperoned environments.
Such a move would necessarily involve the establishment of dedicated treatment facilities beyond the mental health resources already in place, but could well be a safer, more successful, less expensive, and more humane system than the current practice of facilitating the addiction.
Tom Curran, Consecon, Ont.
Quebec’s ‘small-minded’ language police
Re: Can Quebec’s language vultures not leave hospitals alone, at least? — Chris Selley, July 30
I don’t know what the qualifications are to be a language inspector in the province of Quebec, but being small-minded would probably be high on the list.
The health systems in all of the provinces are in a shambles and the language spoken in Quebec hospital operating rooms is what this tax-funded office is focusing on. If this situation wasn’t so terrible it would make a great Monty Python skit.
It is to Canada’s shame to ever allow this to happen in the first place.
Ted Mead, Winchester, Ont.
Kudos for Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew
Re: Wab Kinew is bringing a new, patriotic kind of progressivism — Geoff Russ, July 29
Tommy Douglas, the former premier of Saskatchewan and the first leader of the federal New Democratic Party, and his successor as premier, Woodrow Lloyd, leader of the provincial NDP, introduced the first publicly funded health care in their province. And by their example, nationally funded health care was introduced to the rest of Canada. Douglas and Lloyd also ran tight ships with balanced budgets.
Wab Kinew, the current NDP premier of Manitoba, seems to be a man cut in the image of Douglas and Lloyd. Perhaps other leftist wannabes like Justin Trudeau could learn a thing or two from him.
This is high praise indeed coming from a card-carrying Conservative. But I respect good governance when I see it, and I am definitely not referring to Trudeau and the Liberal party.
Warren Williams, Calgary
Tourism subsidies stimulate local economies
Re: Abolish the ministry of tourism and its handouts — Matthew Lau, July 10
In his column calling for the abolition of the Ministry of Tourism and criticizing subsidies to our sector, Matthew Lau overlooks key points about the benefits and necessity of supporting Canada’s tourism industry.
Tourism is a significant driver of Canada’s economy. In 2023, tourism spending hit a record $113.4 billion, contributing $42.7 billion to the national GDP and sustaining over two million jobs across various industries. Government subsidies help maintain and grow this essential job market, benefiting a considerable portion of the population.
Tourist spending stimulates local economies, supports job creation and enhances residents’ quality of life through infrastructure improvements and cultural events. These initiatives make communities more vibrant and attractive places to live.
Contrary to Mr. Lau’s claim that tourism subsidies do not target the poor, many government-supported initiatives boost economic development in underdeveloped and rural areas. This revitalizes struggling communities and provides new opportunities for local entrepreneurs and workers. Festivals and cultural events foster community pride and social harmony.
Although Mr. Lau criticizes the environmental impact of tourism, our industry is committed to sustainability. Subsidized projects often promote eco-friendly and regenerative tourism, with investments in green infrastructure helping reduce the sector’s carbon footprint.
Tourism subsidies are not about dictating personal choices but about creating a competitive tourism sector. Government support ensures Canada remains an attractive destination, drawing international visitors and investment, benefiting the national economy. In 2022, government revenue from tourism totalled $26.7 billion.
Tourism allows us to share Canadian values and heritage, fostering empathy and reducing stereotypes. While scrutinizing government spending is essential, the call to abolish the Ministry of Tourism is misguided. Supporting tourism through subsidies ensures the sector’s resilience and growth, ultimately benefiting all Canadians.
Beth Potter, President & CEO, Tourism Industry Association of Canada
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