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Alan Pellettier, Toronto

Britain messed up royally during Trump visit

The British Royals are going to great lengths to make Donald Trump happy. Here’s what that really means, Sept. 16

It’s beyond belief that the United Kingdom chose to entertain Trump — a convicted felon and pathological liar with fascistic tendencies — with such pomp and ceremony. You’d think the relationship between the United States and Britain was one of mutual admiration and respect, given the latter’s over-the-top shows of devotion to Trump. The U.K. has played right into the hands of this tyrant, which will only encourage him to continue treating other countries, including Canada, with disrespect and cruelty. Like many Canadians, I feel insulted, offended and even betrayed by our British allies. Shame on the Royal Family and the U.K. government for bending the knee to this chaotic world disruptor.

Marion Bartlett, Singhampton, ON

We must hold wasteful corporations to account

Toronto’s dump is almost full. Neighbours want it shut down. With ‘no easy solutions,’ are we about to start burning our trash? Sept. 14

In terms of the trash we’re creating, I agree that we need to get to the root of the problem: the fact that materials such as plastic and Styrofoam are still being used in the first place.

Instead, grocery stores could use compostable bags to shrink-wrap vegetables. There are packing peanuts you can buy that dissolve in water. There are companies creating containers made out of corn husks to store fresh meat. Canada could enact laws forcing companies to make everyday consumer items less disposable.

Large appliances may be fancier nowadays, but they last only seven to 10 years, whereas our parents’ appliances would last for decades. The government could create more “right to repair” laws and invest more in green innovation.

Consumers can help somewhat by not buying as much stuff, but when planned obsolescence is built into many of the products we purchase, and when so much packaging is not recyclable, then the onus should be on corporations to fix the problem. Only when governments start to care more about the environment and less about private enterprise can things ever change.

Mary Sullivan, Lindsay, ON

Crombie resignation shows majority rule is dead

Bonnie Crombie resigns as Ontario Liberal leader, Sept. 14

Let me get this straight: 57 per cent of Ontarians who turned out in the last provincial election voted against Premier Doug Ford, who secured a strong majority government. Months later, 57 per cent of Ontario Liberal delegates voted in favour of Bonnie Crombie’s continued leadership, yet Crombie has now stepped down. I guess the only explanation is that the majority doesn’t rule after all. If we could redo the 2025 election under proportional representation, Ford would likely not be premier, and Crombie might not have needed to face a leadership review in the first place.

Victor Foyle, Toronto

One reason for Crombie’s poor electoral performance is that she allowed Ford’s Progressive Conservatives to trash her reputation early, to which the Liberals failed to muster an effective response. The premier clearly recognized that Crombie was a potentially formidable opponent, and the moment she became leader, the Ford government began flooding Ontario’s airwaves with sneeringly negative advertisements. Consequently, Crombie’s election campaign was severely disadvantaged from the beginning.

Raymond Fancher, Oakville, ON

What happens when natural gas tanks?

Are heat pumps more expensive now that Carney killed the carbon tax? Ontario homeowners question truth of Enbridge notice, Sept. 18

Great exposé on this apparent conflict of interest. Enbridge clearly doesn’t benefit by Ontarians cutting off their gas services, and the company knows that many more customers will do so as we work toward fulfilling our treaty commitments. Until then, however, I suspect Enbridge will take every opportunity to promote natural gas and confuse customers about the value of heat pumps.

Elizabeth Carswell, Uxbridge, ON

In Parliament, Poilievre’s song remains the same

Mark Carney and Pierre Poilievre both want to show that they’ve changed, Sept. 15

It’s refreshing to see Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre resurrected in the House of Commons, because I believe many Canadians find humour in the soundbites and personal attacks that he often tries to present as policy. Mostly, however, I’d like to wish him many long years in his natural habitat as leader of the Opposition.

Raymond Peringer, Toronto

We mustn’t dismiss Poilievre as mere political noise in the same way many Americans underestimated Trump a decade ago. Poilievre’s divisive rhetoric and tendency to exploit wedge issues offer a troubling preview of what a future Canada might resemble under the Conservatives. The chaos now unfolding in the U.S., where lawlessness is on the rise and democratic norms are increasingly ignored, should serve as a stark warning for Canadians.

Lejla Bilal, Toronto

After 20 years as an MP, Poilievre was rejected in April by his Ottawa riding in favour of the Liberal candidate. Why is it that so many politicians, after being dismissed by their own constituents, seemingly refuse to go away?

You’d think that after losing his Carleton seat in resounding fashion, Poilievre would at least change his style, even a little bit — but no such luck. With the world having descended into chaos, the last thing Canada needs is another downer politician to make us feel worse. Simply put, Poilievre is an anchor on this country. All he ever seems to do is criticize Prime Minister Mark Carney; he doesn’t offer any positive ideas as to how Canada might move forward. Hopefully, when the Conservatives hold their leadership review in January, they’ll reach the same conclusion that Poilievre’s former Carleton constituents did and send him packing.

Al Yolles, Toronto