I was disappointed to see that there would be no disability minister in Prime Minister Mark Carney’s cabinet, which means that portfolio will be given to someone who has to juggle multiple other priorities. Sadly, this seems to be the norm now in Canada, where disability rights are evidently an afterthought, shoved to side in the name of “efficiency.” Meanwhile, disabled people continue to suffer in legislated poverty.
Nathaniel Grundy, Welland
During the recent election campaign, Carney repeatedly stressed that Canada would do business differently under his stewardship. Yet the cabinet that Carney announced last week contains so many of those familiar faces who stood with Justin Trudeau through thick and thin. They personify the gross mismanagement that we’ve seen over the past decade in Ottawa. Many Canadians were taken aback by his picks. Moreover, Carney shot himself in the foot when he singled out the new housing minister, Gregor Robertson, as someone whose housing-related experience as Vancouver’s mayor would contribute to a “pan-Canadian strategy.”
As mayor, Robertson promised to tackle homelessness in Vancouver by 2015, yet it remains a terrible problem all these years later, as it does in many other communities across Canada. When he resigned in 2018, Robertson was among the least popular of any Canadian mayor, and his Vision Vancouver Party lost every seat at city hall. His reign of error left the city with one of the most unaffordable housing markets in the world. Yet he was hand-picked by the prime minister, whose cabinet should be a reminder to Canadian voters that you never get a second chance to make a first impression.
Bernie Smith, Parksville, BC
Protecting the province from Ford
Martin Regg Cohn said it so well in his recent column. Beware of Ford and his Progressive Conservative government. They aren’t Ontario’s friend. I thank Cohn for clearly stating the issues and hope that he will continue to tell us what we can do to stop Ford from destroying this province. The premier has let his true colours show a few times, but voters seem to have short memories. He really doesn’t care about the future of the province or its people. We need to protect Ontario for future generations.
Gayle McBurnie, Toronto
Housing policy in shambles
Our housing policies couldn’t be more of a mess at both the provincial and municipal levels. The Ontario government uses Minister’s Zoning Orders with reckless abandon to override municipalities and authorize oversized projects in inappropriate locations favouring developers friendly to Premier Doug Ford. Meanwhile, º£½ÇÉçÇø¹ÙÍøenacts legislation to permit fourplexes in an effort to abate the housing crisis, only to be overruled by committees of adjustment. Yet far more imposing structures, relative to lot size, that would never pass committee are apparently allowed to be built as long as they are “laneway houses.” Neighbours have little recourse, even though laneway houses can reduce the amount of sunlight they get and affect their privacy. How is it that these housing initiatives are treated so differently?
Nancy Miller, Toronto
Common sense prevails in court
It was so heartening to read that common sense has prevailed in our legal system. What an utter waste of time, energy and money Michael Del Grande has caused, and all because of his absolute lack of understanding of God. The Bible makes it clear that God created men and women but that everything after that is up to humankind.
Matthew Marosszeky, Aurora
The end of a disappointing Leafs era
This º£½ÇÉçÇø¹ÙÍøMaple Leafs season should mark the end of the Auston Matthews era. The changes should start with the captain himself, as he is evidently injured beyond repair and, like Mike Bossy before him, it seems possible that he will retire before the age of 30. I suspect that Mitch Marner will not be a Leaf after free agency begins. He was good enough to compete in the 4 Nations Face-Off and perhaps will even do well during the 2026 Winter Olympics, but he clearly does not have what it takes to see his name engraved on the Stanley Cup. John Tavares deserves better, but age and salary-cap constraints now signal the end of his time in Toronto. Morgan Reilly is overpaid and over the hill, never having become a truly elite NHL defenceman. William Nylander is a bright spot for the team, but given that he’s already 29 years old, it makes sense for the Leafs to dump his salary and get something of value in return. They should build upon their strong goaltending, retain Matthew Knies and go from there through free agency and trades.
Trevor Amon, Victoria
How best to fight the trade war
In her recent op-ed, Katharine Lake Berz argues that instead of boycotting the United States, Canadians should visit the U.S. and show Americans what nice people we are. However, the U.S. has declared economic war on Canada and seems intent on destroying our economy. We can’t win that war through being nice. Rather, Canadians must fight back by refusing to buy American products and refusing to spend money in the U.S. This will hopefully result in large numbers of American businesses telling their government just how much Canada means to the U.S. economy.
Gerald Popp, Oakville
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