So, Richard BakerÌýpurchased the venerable Hudson Bay Company, and as would befit a true plunderer, pillaged the company’s assets but forgot Ìýhe owned not only a historic, national institution, but internationally honoured department store chain. He totally ignored the basic tenant of successful retail which is change. It requires dedicated energy, vision, strategic planning and design to to evolve, prosper and succeed through all the highly challenging demands of retail, especially to satisfy the changing needs and desires of customers. Instead, Baker left HBC to die an untimely, embarrassing death and moved to hisÌý Saks Global endeavour, nay experiment.
As you turn off the lights, put out the cat and fade into the Canadian sunset, Mr. Baker, perhaps you canÌýfind it in your heart to do the honourable thing and donate these remaining precious artifacts, artworkÌýand charter to a Canadian museum or institution. They are part of our Canadian heritage and soul. To put them on the auction block would be the ultimate act of disrespect.
Bev Moroz, PickeringÌý
King Charles III should flex his Royal muscle on HBC artifacts
The Royal Proclamation Charter of the Hudson’s Bay Company was granted in 1670 by King Charles II. It is the founding document of the Hudson’s Bay Company and governed its early operations in contemporary Canada and was not transferred to the Province of Manitoba in 1994 because it was still being actively used as a corporate record. I’m no expert on Crown protocol, but now that the company has been dissolved, King Charles III should flex his Royal muscles and demand its return to the Crown and then donate it to the province of Manitoba.
James McDonald, Mississauga
Canadians are fortunate to have a strong leader to stand up to Trump
Congratulations to Mark Carney on his victory. Canadians are fortunate to have a strong leader to stand up to Donald Trump’s harassment. As a member of Rotary District 6400, which spans southwestern Ontario and southeast Michigan, I wish to affirm the strong bond that continues to exist on the part of a vast majority of Americans with our Canadian brothers and sisters.
As a reminder, Trump won the U.S. election on the slimmest of majorities. How he won, I do not know, but he won on two issues: securing the border and lowering prices. There was nothing about betraying our Canadian friends. I do not condone nor excuse Trump’s behaviour, nor forgive those who voted for him, given the chaotic experience of Trump’s first term.
Please understand that Americans are not Trump. Trump’s legacy will rest silently in the dumpster of history leaving only a distant but pungent reminder of the U.S. at its worst. We will survive and hope for forgiveness from the Canadian people.
Mark Murray, Adrian, Michigan, USAÌýÌý
Trudeau is the reason Carney didn’t win a majority government
The reason for Canada’s weakened bargaining position with U.S. President Donald Trump can be summed up in two words: Justin Trudeau. However, Trudeau could not have alienated so many Canadians on his own. He surrounded himself with a cadre of self-interested lackeys who didn’t have the guts to force him out earlier. Trudeau, who became so despised by so many, nearly destroyed the Liberal PartyÌýof Canada. Mark Carney, a man globally respected for his financial expertise, didn’t have enough time to convince disaffected Canadians that he would bring about meaningful change in Ottawa. Trudeau’s self-indulgent arrogance has prevented Prime Minister Carney from leading a strong majority government to ensure Canada has a future.
Lloyd Atkins, Vernon, BC
Poilievre was badly overmatched by Carney
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre loses his long-held seat in Ottawa, April 29
The federal Conservative party has had a miserable record choosing leaders since the 2015 demise of Stephen Harper. Andrew Scheer (who edged out Maxime Bernier) was turfed after three years and Erin O’Toole lasted less than two years before Pierre Poilievre took over in 2022. Prior to Scheer, the party had an effective interim leader in Rona Ambrose for two years but couldn’t convince her to take on the permanent leader of the opposition role.
The only plausible explanation for the Conservative swoon in the polls and ultimately in the popular vote was a leader who hinged his campaign on negativism and a “need for change” while offering no substantial alternatives to the Liberals in his eleventh-hour platform. Like Scheer, he also suffered from the perception of being a sheltered career politician and a Harper acolyte. Pitted against a confident, worldly and self-effacing opponent with an impressive resumé, Poilievre (absent the Trudeau piñata) was badly overmatched. Obviously many in his home constituency came to the same conclusion as the majority of the country.
Brian Horton,ÌýAurora, ON
Poilievre is theÌýthird Conservative leader in a row to fail to win government
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is in serious denial. His concession speech congratulating Prime Minister Mark Carney on winning the election was nothing more than a despicable regurgitation of his campaign sloganeering and he never acknowledged the fact that he lost his own seat. He actually thinks he can get an elected Conservative MP to give up their seat so he can run again in a byelection to try and regain leadership of the party in the House of Commons. That’s sour grapes, a hopeless desire to cling to some kind of power . I believe the Conservative Party of Canada will want him gone and very soon. He is the third CPC leader in a row to fail to win government. He blew a 25 per cent lead in the polls in January. He refused to pivot focus on the Donald Trump threat to our very existence. Major failures!
After nine plus years of futility, it’s clear the CPC party desperately needs to take a course on how to elect successful party leaders.
Jamie Wynne, Richmond Hill, ON
Admiration and gratitude for Elections Canada officials
On election day I volunteered as a scrutineer at a voting location in Scarborough. I would like to acknowledge the work of the deputy returning officers ( and other Elections Canada officials at the 10 polls. While it was a very long day, you are to be commended for your important role. There are many people in many countries across the globe who would love to have the opportunity to vote in the manner I observed yesterday. To all Elections Canada workers, you have my admiration and gratitude.
Frank Testin, Toronto
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