Letters: Round 1 in Oval Office goes to Carney

Montreal Gazette

07-05-2025

Re: ' Carney to Trump: Canada will 'never' be for sale ' (NP Montreal, May 7)
On behalf of the 'owners of Canada,' I say congratulations, Prime Minister Mark Carney, on your first-round performance in the Oval Office.
I have no doubt most of the 40 million Canadians stand behind you. Please keep fighting the good fight.
Carlo Tarini, St-Lambert
First-name basis? Let teachers decide
Re: ' School cellphone bans to be expanded ' (The Gazette, May 3)
Given the growing body of evidence that spending too much time on technological devices, such as cellphones, has a negative impact on student learning, I think it's wise for the CAQ government to ban these devices during school hours.
However, Education Minister Bernard Drainville seems to be turning back the clock when it comes to certain mores, such as using 'vous' and 'tu, and not calling their teachers by their first names.
The reasoning seems to be that these measures will lead to a more respectful environment. I believe this is best left to the teachers and should not be imposed across the board by the government, though it may meet with the approval of some adults.
Some teachers have no problem with students using first names. Conversely, some students are uncomfortable addressing them in this way.
In my view, it is a false assumption to think that addressing teachers formally garners automatic respect. I liken it to the belief that the wearing of school uniforms leads to more disciplined and respectful behaviour.
Having taught for many years, I can attest that respect for teachers is earned by much more than how they are addressed, or what is worn in the classroom. It's earned by establishing an environment in which mutual respect, civility and consideration are practised by both teachers and students
Goldie Olszynko, Mile End
Read fine print on pet food
I read Bill Brownstein's column with interest and felt compelled to share my perspective as a Canadian entrepreneur in the pet food industry.
As the founder of a Montreal-based company producing human-grade wet toppers and meals for pets, I've seen firsthand the growing consumer demand for made-in-Canada products.
Many of the wet toppers and meals you see on store shelves are imported, even if they're branded under a Canadian company name. Most are labelled or distributed in Canada, not made here. That's a huge difference when you're thinking about local economic support.
I urge consumers to look for the red Maple Leaf on pet food products as a sign of authentic Canadian-made quality. Read the fine print. Ask questions.
If it matters where your food comes from, it should matter just as much where your pet's food is made.
Let's support Canadian jobs, Canadian quality and Canadian pets — all at once.
Josie Rivest, Laval
Submitting a letter to the editor
Letters should be sent by email to [e-mail]
We prioritize letters that respond to, or are inspired by, articles published by The Gazette.
If you are responding to a specific article, let us know which one.
Letters should be sent uniquely to us. The shorter they are — ideally, fewer than 200 words — the greater the chance of publication.
Timing, clarity, factual accuracy and tone are all important, as is whether the writer has something new to add to the conversation.
We reserve the right to edit and condense all letters. Care is taken to preserve the core of the writer's argument.
Our policy is not to publish anonymous letters, those with pseudonyms or 'open letters' addressed to third parties.
Letters are published with the author's full name and city or neighbourhood/borough of residence. Include a phone number and address to help verify identity; these will not be published.
We will not indicate to you whether your letter will be published. If it has not been published within 10 days or so, it is not likely to be.