Mail bag: 08/27/26

‘Recall parliament’

Dear Editor:

An open letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney.

 You have stated that we are in a trade war with the U.S., and from the limited information that you have elected to share with the public, it appears that we are.

You have mentioned retaliation using tariffs to the same value as those imposed upon us by Donald Trump’s administration.

This might make sense or perhaps not, but I would like to suggest that before you make decisions on tariffs and sectors, you recall parliament.

It seems to me from your words that we have a national emergency akin to a warlike situation and on this basis why would you not recall parliament?

Recalling parliament will allow the governing members and the opposition members to debate the way ahead and perhaps come up with alternatives that the governing members have not considered.

 Examples of possible short-term approaches, as opposed to the use of the inciteful, and retaliatory tariffs, might be:

– remove all inter-provincial tariffs to allow a greater market for individual provincial producers;

– remove GST on the internal utilization/consumption of Canadian produced aluminum, steel, softwood lumber and other sensitive commodities;

– apply the same to all foodstuffs produced by Canadian companies for consumption in Canada;

– purchase and store sensitive minerals from Canadian suppliers and provide worldwide to bidders from other democratic friendly countries, with whom we have no tariffs;

– provide other financial incentives for the purchase of Canadian products for which there are also U.S. suppliers;

– purchase the minimum number of F35 aircraft from the U.S., and then all other military aircraft from other suppliers with the requirement for building in Canada using Canadian raw materials;

– remove any current discounts on energy products that are sold to the U.S.;

– keep U.S. liquor off provincial shelves, as this seems to really hit a soft point;

– tighten government procurement requirements to prioritize Canadian and specifically non-U.S. purchases.

The above are the thoughts of just one humble citizen. Imagine how much more valuable they would be if you had input from the brilliant minds of all our federal parliamentarians.

Michael Lee,
Salem

‘Little empathy’

Dear Editor:

This says it all: 50% tariffs on hockey sticks for parents who already struggle to have their kids in sports.

We are dealing with a person with little empathy. 

So sad, how wealthy he and his supporters are becoming on the back of the little person.

Norma Seibert,
Elora

‘Bring them over here’

Dear Editor:

If the trade war with the U.S. continues to progresses along this line, my question is: with other countries all paying tariffs to do business in the U.S. with its population of about 350 million, why not move U.S. business from there to Canada, a country that has a free trade policy, that has access to about 8.3 billion people, with no tariffs? Does this make sense, or is there more to it than that? 

Maybe we should start an ad campaign to bring them over here. Doug Ford, please start running those Reagan commercials again. Loved it. Just saying.

John Zelasko,
Belwood

‘Lisa does have value’

Dear Editor:

RE: ‘Do I not have value?’ Centre Wellington woman pleads for access to drug to treat rare disease, Aug. 13.

Lisa does have value! I was saddened to read about the struggle that my former high school classmate, Lisa McColeman, is having with her health and how the late diagnosis and drug she requires to improve her life has limitations and an out-of-reach cost. 

How can anyone realistically afford $2 million per year? 

It struck me when Lisa mentioned that the government “will pay for me to die (MAID) but they won’t give me the money to live.” I’m praying that Lisa gets the help she needs so she may live a good quality life with her husband, children and grandchildren.

Jackie DeVries,
Guelph/Eramosa

‘Under-servicing’

Dear Editor:

On Aug. 17, I attempted to sign up my wife and myself for fitness programs at Victoria Seniors Centre for fall and winter. 

I began the registration process at 8:28 and was done by 8:37 – with the notification that the programs were full.

Congratulations, you are filled up with many of your programs in record time. Don’t spend too much time patting yourselves on the back: my inability to secure spots within nine minutes shows how inadequate your services to seniors are in this current age. Either you need to enlarge your facilities or expand your program offering, or both.

Achieving 100% enrolment should never be the goal as this highlights under-servicing.

I hope those taking part in the municipal election recognize this as an issue. 

Whomever does will get my vote.

Greg Moore,
Elora