Letters to the editor, May 15: ‘Did anyone think Mark Carney was going to fill his cabinet with Conservatives?'
Re 'An old Liberal front bench bolted to a new Carney mission' (May 14): It is incredible to me that a government that says it will represent all Canadians did not appoint a cabinet minister from Calgary, an economic powerhouse and one of the largest and fastest growing cities in Canada, when the opportunity was available.
I can't even imagine what the reaction would be if Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver were left out of cabinet. Same ol', same ol'.
C. Bryce Code Calgary
Those who whinge about a lot of old faces in the new Carney cabinet seem to forget that those old faces were re-elected. Their constituents must have thought they were doing a reasonable job.
Prime ministers have to build a cabinet from the MPs given to them by voters. The majority of Liberal MPs are from the previous government.
Did anyone think Mark Carney was going to fill his cabinet with Conservatives?
Tom MacDonald Ottawa
The Carney cabinet includes some capable people. But will they function as a cabinet – or will they still answer to political staffers?
Paul Edwards Calgary
The federal election was framed to be about change.
Earlier in the year, this meant Pierre Poilievre would likely replace Justin Trudeau. However, as it turned out, we got change of another kind: driven, experienced and mature leadership with Mark Carney.
The cabinet announcement brought another degree of change in capable new ministers who will be held accountable for results in key portfolios. These changes, I believe, are exactly what the country needs in the current situation.
One change we voted for, but doesn't look like we will get, is a new opposition leader. We still have to listen to the petty, negative and divisive attacks from Pierre Poilievre like we got in his blow-by-blow description of the cabinet.
One would think the Conservatives would hear voters and do themselves a favour: Move on to someone who can truly lead the country, not just tear it apart.
Dale McSween Cornwall, Ont.
Re 'Trump says new order will lower U.S. drug prices and increase them everywhere else' (Report on Business, May 13): If Donald Trump wants to ensure that there continues to be enough money for medicine research and development, there is a simple answer: Cut down on the amount of money that Big Pharma spends on share buybacks and dividends.
It has been reported that between 2012 and 2021, the 14 largest drug companies listed on the S&P 500 spent $747-billion on buybacks and dividends versus $660-billion on R&D.
Joel Lexchin Toronto
Re 'Ontario's Darlington SMR project to cost nearly $21-billion, significantly higher than expected' (Report on Business, May 9): This project can put Canada at the forefront of small modular reactors. These provide a resilient clean-energy solution to meet the projected significant increase in electrical demand.
Further, with globalization, it is important that Canada focuses on areas where we can be world class as we reindustrialize. I trust Ontario Power Generation will largely ignore criticism of the cost increases and keep going fast.
Growing expertise needs vision and takes time.
Julian Kenney Mississauga
Re 'Doug Ford is running roughshod over the environment and the law. Sound familiar?' (Opinion, May 10): I write with urgency for the withdrawal of Bill 5, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025. I believe it sets very dangerous precedents.
It does not offer protection; it removes protections. Developers could focus solely on profit when planning. Existing laws protecting the environment, current inhabitants and Indigenous rights could be bulldozed over. Abandoning these protections in one place could put them under threat everywhere.
This bill would not unleash our economy; it would unleash a series of bad practices with long-term effects. It does not look at what changes would help small businesses or entrepreneurs prosper.
Instead, it takes away hard-won protections for our citizens and environment to rush through development. It takes weak arguments used to justify selling land in Ontario's Greenbelt and puts them on steroids.
What was wrong-headed then should still be wrong-headed now.
Diane DiMonte-Mohan Toronto
Re 'Opening the opaque window around pot rules' (Editorial, May 12): We commend The Globe and Mail for highlighting the inconsistencies in Canada's regulatory frameworks for cannabis, alcohol and gambling. However, we disagree with the premise that a coherent regulatory approach should focus on fairness across the commercial sphere of store operators.
Instead, such an approach should centre on health risks, preventing youth exposure and reducing societal harms associated with substance use and gambling. It should restrict marketing practices that target vulnerable populations and ensure revenue generation does not overshadow health considerations.
It is imperative to ensure that developing coherent regulation remains independent of industry influence. The policy process should be transparent, evidence-based and free from conflicts of interest.
By centering public health in developing coherent regulation for cannabis, alcohol and gambling (as well as tobacco), Canada can set a precedent for responsible governance that prioritizes the health and safety of its citizens over commerce.
Natalie Brender, Director of policy, Canadian Public Health Association; Ottawa
Re 'Carney wants big government to get into housing – a major risk to taxpayers" (Report on Business, May 13): Of course it would cost us – if there was money to be made solving the housing crisis, the private sector would be on it.
Craig Sims Kingston
Re 'By letting public spaces and services fail, our cities are breaking a fundamental promise to the people who live there' (Opinion, May 10): I'm fortunate to live in North Vancouver, recently ranked as the most livable city in Canada ('Canada's Most Livable Cities' – Dec. 14, 2024).
The city has clearly invested plenty of dollars to make density livable. Politicians and planners have obviously understood the concept that 'livable' means enjoyable.
Today we have beautifully constructed and maintained public spaces that are accessible by a large network of public transit systems. Our trails and parks draw hundreds of walkers, runners and cyclists every day. New shops line some streets cheek to cheek, creating a lively market hubbub.
The old Shipyards has been transformed into a huge family-friendly gathering place, with a myriad of possibilities to connect with neighbours and friends. It's easy to get caught up in the happy activity and chatter of the place.
I come away feeling alive and immensely grateful to have all this at my disposal. North Vancouver has most definitely done the right thing.
Marlies Newton North Vancouver
Letters to the Editor should be exclusive to The Globe and Mail. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. Keep letters to 150 words or fewer. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. To submit a letter by e-mail, click here: letters@globeandmail.com
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBC
40 minutes ago
- CBC
Holland College questions fairness of province giving $2M grant only to UPEI
Social Sharing The president of Holland College is not happy that the P.E.I. government stepped in with a $2-million grant to the University of Prince Edward Island to cope with the loss of revenue from international tuition fees, but Holland College got nothing. "It doesn't seem fair... I support closely what the administration of UPEI is doing and I think that they are doing some cool things after a very difficult period of time, but no, it doesn't seem fair," said college president and CEO Sandy MacDonald. "I guess I'm qualifying my answer because I'm hoping the province will take the opportunity in the next fiscal year to balance things out, so I'm hoping it will be made fair." MacDonald has estimated that the international student population at the college will plummet by 85 per cent over the next two years as federal changes to student permits kick in, designed in part to relieve a nationwide housing crunch. From a high of 800 international students, Holland College enrolment is projected to fall to 140 students by September 2026. That means a huge drop in revenue, leading the college to phase out eight programs and lay off 25 staff. Three kilometres away from Holland College's main campus in Charlottetown, at the University of Prince Edward Island, officials have raised tuition fees and made some cuts. But they also received a one-time grant of $2 million from the Department of Workforce, Advanced Learning and Population to help offset the loss of international tuition fees, estimated at $3 million this year. It was included in UPEI's 2025-2026 budget as a line item called International Enrolment Reduction Support. UPEI's vice-president of administration and finance, Tim Walker, said it will be used for things like recruitment and retention, enrolment planning, and a hunt for new revenue streams. "This important support gives UPEI the opportunity to consider more options and take action during this fiscal year, ensuring we have a stronger foundation for the next budget planning cycle (2026-27)," Walker said in an email to CBC News. MacDonald said getting a similar $2 million would have made a huge difference to Holland College. "We have been underfunded for many years," he said. "We've made the argument many times. It goes back all the way to the auditor general's report from 1999; Wayne Murphy said at the time we had a structural deficit." Why the upfront cost is multiplying for international students on the Island 1 year ago Duration 3:59 Both UPEI and Holland College are increasing tuition deposits for international students. Lornie Hughes, the registrar at Holland College, explains why. Expected funding did not come in He said in 2023, the college and the province made a deal that would provide extra money over the next three fiscal years to help the college catch up with its deficit. Then it would go back to a lower funding level. The first year, Holland College did get a 9.5 per cent increase and $3 million more for its capital budget. This year, it was expecting the same. "We did not get that. We got a 6.5 per cent increase and half of the $3 million in capital," MacDonald said. "We were disappointed, but we understood the province is under financial constraints, so we had to accept that." Would the $2 million have made a difference in terms of those decisions? Of course it would. — Sandy MacDonald Then came the realization that UPEI had asked for — and gotten — the $2 million grant. "We've suspended eight programs, we've cut portions of three other programs," MacDonald said. "Those were the results of the deficit that we faced this fiscal year. So would the $2 million have made a difference in terms of those decisions? Of course it would." As for the future, MacDonald said the college will ask for — and hopefully get — some International Enrolment Reduction Support funding of its own for 2026-2027. "Certainly we will have a significant deficit again this year," he said. "I've spoken to the province since the budget come down and they've said, 'We're willing to work with you.' "So if UPEI was getting a one-time grant for this issue this year, certainly we would be hoping to get something similar for next year." Cuts at Holland College will affect all union members, UPSE president says afterweekend meeting 2 months ago Duration 2:16 The news came late Friday: Holland College said it would freeze some programs and downsize others because caps on international students have led to the P.E.I. college is taking in less money. Over the weekend, the president of the college met with union officials like Karen Jackson of UPSE (shown) to discuss what happens next, especially with the 35 jobs that will be affected. CBC's Stacey Janzer reports. Province's response CBC News reached out to the provincial government about the grant to UPEI and MacDonald's concerns. "Holland College did not receive funding in the 2025-26 academic year for an international enrolment reduction support grant," a spokesperson replied by email. "The province is working closely with post-secondary institutions to help address overall enrolment challenges and the impact of international student reductions... "All funding requests submitted to the province undergo a thorough review and consideration process. Holland College did receive a 6.5 per cent increase in its core operating funding for the 2025-26 academic year to help address operational needs.
Globe and Mail
an hour ago
- Globe and Mail
Canada invites Saudi Crown Prince to G7 summit
Canada has invited Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the Group of Seven summit in Alberta this month, an extension of hospitality to a kingdom Ottawa once shunned after the 2018 murder of a dissident journalist who criticized its rulers. A source with knowledge of the matter confirmed the invitation and said there had been no response so far on whether Mr. bin Salman will attend the June 15-17 meeting in Kananaskis. The Globe and Mail is not identifying the source, as they were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter. Mr. bin Salman is not the only leader Canada is inviting in spite of a strained bilateral relationship. Prime Minister Mark Carney is welcoming Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi even though Ottawa has publicly accused his government of playing a role in the 2023 murder of a Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The G7 summit is being held just outside Calgary. Here's who will be there and what these meetings achieve Saudi Arabia and India are not members of the G7 but hosts of gatherings of this annual political and economic forum for top industrialized countries often invite other national leaders to join. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum is also attending the summit in Alberta, as is Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. In 2018, Ottawa followed the United States in imposing sanctions on 17 Saudis for the slaying of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi. He was murdered in the kingdom's Istanbul consulate in October of that year when he entered to procure documents certifying a divorce. U.S. media, including the Washington Post, later reported that the CIA believes the Crown Prince ordered Mr. Khashoggi's killing – contradicting Riyadh's assertion that he was not involved in the murder. Canada's sanctions remain in place today. Canada and Saudi Arabia also suffered a major diplomatic rift for nearly five years starting in 2018 when Riyadh expelled Canada's ambassador after the department of Global Affairs and Chrystia Freeland, who was minister of foreign affairs at the time, publicly called for the immediate release of several imprisoned political activists in the kingdom. Riyadh also recalled its envoy, decrying what it said was 'blatant interference' in its internal affairs, and it froze new trade and investment with Canada. The Saudi embassy in Ottawa did not immediately return a request for comment on the invitation.
Globe and Mail
an hour ago
- Globe and Mail
Industry Minister Joly sees role for automakers in boosting Canada's defence capacity
Canada's auto-making sector can play a key role in the federal government's $9.3-billion plan to bolster the country's defence, Industry Minister Mélanie Joly says. Prime Minister Mark Carney said Monday that Canada would fulfill its NATO commitment of spending 2 per cent of gross domestic product on its military in this fiscal year. Ms. Joly, speaking at an automotive industry conference Tuesday, said the sector, battered by U.S. tariffs, could use its manufacturing muscle to help Canada reach its defence goals. 'We are in a wartime cabinet right now,' Ms. Joly told reporters at the Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association's annual meeting. 'We must build our defence capacity.' Ms. Joly did not provide specifics but said she will have talks with various industries, including autos, steel, aluminum and artificial intelligence. She pointed to General Motors' Oshawa operations, which have made military vehicles based on existing truck platforms. 'We know the Canadian Armed Forces need more vehicles and need to be protected better,' she said. 'We will build through our defence investments. That means more than $9-billion, and that includes investment in our industrial defence capacity, and that in turn could help the auto sector.' Carney lays out defence boost, says era of U.S. dominance over Flavio Volpe, president of APMA, said defence spending is welcome but is no substitute for the passenger-vehicle manufacturing that has sustained the domestic sector for more than 100 years. Military manufacturing involves different engineering tolerances, regulations and markets, he said. 'Good that we are thinking about it. I think we need to be creative and figure out how we feed into that, but it's not a replacement,' Mr. Volpe said. The day-long conference gave industry representatives an opportunity to hear from political and business leaders amid a tariff war with the United States that has already cost thousands of jobs and threatened the Canadian auto sector. U.S. President Donald Trump has imposed 25-per-cent tariffs on the non-U.S. content in Canadian- and Mexican-made cars. Canadian auto parts have been spared the tariff applied to Canadian-assembled cars. Rob Wildeboer, executive chair of parts maker Martinrea International Inc., told the conference how he helped Trump advisers at the White House understand that duties on parts would quickly shut down the industry across North America, as suppliers would refuse to make money-losing components. It was a message they were not hearing from the U.S. industry for fear of reprisals, Mr. Wildeboer said. Still, the suppliers rely on Ontario's assembly plants for about half their sales. 'We got the tariffs off parts. We got to do it on cars,' Mr. Volpe said. Industry Minister Joly signals action on steel dumping into Canada coming The trade tensions come amid falling North American car sales and production, said Joe McCabe of AutoForecast Solutions, a Pennsylvania-based consultancy. Even before the tariff war, Ontario's auto plants owned by the Detroit Three faced uncertain futures: idled and awaiting new vehicles, making niche-market minivans and muscle cars, or operating under capacity. The tariffs have amplified those risks, Mr. McCabe said in an interview on the sidelines of the conference. Ontario's plants have been hit by layoffs and production cuts this year as automakers delay new models and extend the life of existing ones, trying to buy time while gauging the tariffs' effect on production and sales. For parts makers and their customers, this has meant a freeze in new investments, illustrated by Honda Canada's recent move to postpone its $15-billion EV project in Ontario. 'There's no question there is a chill,' said Vic Fedeli, Ontario's Minister of Economic Development. Mr. McCabe said automakers will pass on the tariffs to buyers of luxury models, eat them at the low end and share the cost with consumers on mid-priced autos. Victor Dodig, CEO of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, said the tariffs have put Canada in a 'war-footing' economic state that will mean uncertainty for 10 or 15 years. He said Canada will get through the tough times, but faces a changed world. 'It's not going to be like it was before,' he said. 'It's going to be different.' Still, he said, the U.S. will remain Canada's largest trading partner, likely forever.
