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Montreal Gazette
28-07-2025
- Business
- Montreal Gazette
Letters: Don't want to be a slave to tech? Don't own a phone. Like me
Josh Freed nails it. These days, everyone is outsourcing their brains to their phones. Can't do math? Ask Siri. Can't get anywhere? Ask Waze. Can't remember your best friend's number? No need, your contacts app does, same with their birthdays. Even basic memory, focus and orientation seem to be slipping away with every scroll and swipe. But there's a fix: Don't own a phone. Like me. Hard to believe, I know, but I walk among you. A unicorn in the age of dopamine pings. No cell. No apps. No constant tether to a digital leash. And the result? I remember phone numbers. I look up. I ask strangers for directions and survive. I even listen when people talk. I get through meals, walks and full conversations without being interrupted by a buzz, ding or the urge to check a screen. I don't stop mid-task to answer a call or chase a notification. My time is my own. My thoughts are my own. And it's great! People say, 'I could never live without my phone.' I say, sure you could; you just don't want to. So if you're tired of forgetting why you walked into a room, maybe it's time to stop cradling the culprit. Want your memory back? Your attention span? A working sense of direction? Try the one thing tech companies hope you never will: Put the phone down, or better yet, don't even buy one. Lindi Ross, Carignan Pension funds should 'buy local,' too Pension fund money is made up of deductions from our earnings in Canada and surely should be invested in Canada. I know fund managers must achieve maximum returns to cover payouts, but at a time when Canada desperately needs investments to expand and create business that will enable us to become more independent of the U.S., I believe these funds should not be invested in U.S businesses. Local investment is surely better for Canada than foreign investment. Canadian successful startups must not be bought out by American firms, as happens too often, but should be encouraged by local investment. We, the public, are trying to buy more local products; why shouldn't pension funds? Jeff Ware, Pointe-Claire Spoke in the wheel of Bixi? Re: ' Bixi launches bike trailers — but don't put pets in there ' (The Gazette, July 22) We're told children and pets are not permitted in Bixi's new rental trailers. But unless police strictly enforce their proper use, I fear it may be too tempting for some to break those rules. And speaking of safety, when is the city going to enact a mandatory helmet rule for all cyclists? Ian Copnick, Côte-St-Luc Submitting a letter to the editor Letters should be sent by email to letters@ 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.
Montreal Gazette
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Montreal Gazette
Letters: Politics needs more business-type leadership
Martine St-Victor's thought-provoking column highlights the difference between management and leadership. The two terms are often used interchangeably, but this is incorrect. A manager plans and controls; a leader enables and changes. Both persons or traits are required for success in the private and public sectors. I agree that a true leader is able to admit an error and change a decision or policy. But in politics, the rules of the game seem different. How frequently does a politician admit a mistake? Virtually never, as the electorate tends to punish such an admission. Thankfully there is some evidence that voters may be altering their decision-making process, focusing less on flash and more on competence. Mark Carney decisively beat and pushed Pierre Poilievre off his seat — figuratively and literally — in the last federal election. Here's hoping this trend continues at the municipal level. The way I see it, now more than ever, Montreal needs a leader. Nick Di Cino, Ahuntsic-Cartierville Weapons exports a barrier to peace Re: ' An urgent letter to Mark Carney ' (Opinion, July 4) Clifford Lincoln's plea addressed to Prime Minister Carney to initiate a grassroots antiwar initiative for peace deserves wide circulation across Canada. 'Peace certainly does not mean guns, bombs and missiles, which have no other purpose but to kill and destroy,' Lincoln writes. Yet Canada has a significant military production industry that generates billions of dollars of revenue each year and exports lethal weapons, some to countries with disturbing human rights records. Why? Shloime Perel, Côte-St-Luc Our joie de vivre a glorious mess Re: ' Enjoy summer in the city with its beautiful chaos ' (Josh Freed, June 28) Josh Freed nailed it. There really is something irresistible about Montreal's messy, noisy, gloriously alive summer streets. They can be chaotic, but what a beautiful kind of chaos. It's the construction detours that somehow lead you to a new café and the bike paths jammed with every kind of cyclist from Lycra-clad missiles to wicker-basket commuters. It's the way entire neighbourhoods spill onto sidewalks during a three-month block party with languages mixing, music playing and kids racing through sprinklers. Montrealers don't just put up with the bedlam; we create it, and we love it. After months of darkness, cold and ice, we've earned the right to live outside, make noise and celebrate it. Summer here is messy, loud and full of life — and Montrealers wouldn't trade it for anything tidier. Vive l'été, Montréal-style! Lindi Ross, Carignan Hazy thinking south of border U.S. representatives are calling on Canada to take action on wildfires that send smoke across the border — 'robbing Americans of their ability to enjoy the summer.' What are the Prairie evacuees supposed to do? Stand atop the closest highrise and blow the smoke back north? David Garforth, Pointe-Claire Submitting a letter to the editor Letters should be sent by email to letters@ 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.
Montreal Gazette
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Montreal Gazette
Letters: Seniors lunch group serves up inspiration
Re: ' Wise to the benefits of male bonding ' (The Gazette, May 10) It is obvious that congeniality brings happiness to the elderly. As we age, solitude can become an enemy. Older people are, unfortunately, often perceived as irrelevant, which is so wrong. Susan Schwartz's article is a testament to the fact that even if you are in your 90s, you can still contribute and enjoy life. I hope that these very bright and interesting gentlemen keep on exercising and lunching together until they are at least 100, and that Schwartz keeps updating us about their inspiring gatherings. Louise Horlington, Montreal Even governments can't ruin our spring Reading these opinion articles all on the same page paints an interesting picture of Quebec and Montreal today. First the history of education and the handling of immigrants. It reminds me of a story Josh Freed has told about why Jewish children of his generation know the words to Onward Christian Soldiers. We are still feeling the influence of decisions made long ago. Then the commentary about funding for family medicine. We are living through shortages in medical resources, not helped by the cancellation of the Dawson College expansion — and with it a student-run health clinic that was to 'serve thousands of Montreal patients a year,' according to reporting at the time. Finally a column by Toula Drimonis about the joys of living in Montreal when spring arrives. It's true that, despite the history of poor government decisions, there is no better time to live in the city. As Leonard Cohen is quoted as saying, 'the winter has not killed us yet.' Perhaps we should add: nor have previous government decisions. David Garforth, Pointe-Claire Trump version therapy? Count me in Re: 'Surefire coping methods for current U.S. presidency' (Josh Freed, May 10) I loved Josh Freed's column! Now I know that I, too, suffer from post-T-stress disorder. Sorry, I can't even type his name. I usually call him 'the orange guy.' I was a news junkie, too, with CNN being my go-to channel, but now that channel is off-limits. And I keep my finger on the channel recall button in case his face appears on the local news. I like Freed's suggestion of a cleanse. So a thank you to him for diagnosing my problem. Joyce Stempkowsky, N.D.G. Quebec and Vermont share special bond Re: ' Don't blame all of us Americans ' (Letters, May 7) As an American and frequent visitor to la belle province, I would like to echo the voices calling for readers not to paint all Americans with the same brush. There are many of us who are utterly aghast at the actions and invective of our president and his administration, and we are doing what we can to fight back. Here in Vermont, many of us have taken to the streets (like when Vice-President JD Vance came to Sugarbush for a ski holiday) to show our opposition, and we have left countless messages with our representatives in Washington to express our disagreement with the policies and practices of the Trump administration. Let us not forget that we — Quebec and Vermont — are neighbours and friends, and some of us are family. Our energy flows from your rivers. Your timber frames our homes. Some of you watch our evening news and sail our shared lakes. Ours is a shared land and a shared history, with many chapters yet to write. Merci, je t'aime, et désolé pour mon president. Erik Post, Essex, Vt. Submitting a letter to the editor Letters should be sent by email to letters@ 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.
Montreal Gazette
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Montreal Gazette
Letters: Hateful comments in med-school group chat shocking
Re: ' Racist, sexist posts flood group chat for Quebec med school applicants ' (The Gazette, May 13) It is shocking that a Discord channel used by Quebec medical school applicants was home to misogynistic, racist, homophobic and antisemitic posts. How did such vile sentiments infect young people planning to become physicians dedicated to helping people? It's so sad that this is happening in our backyard and in our educational institutions. Do we now need to worry that a medical professional might act out their prejudice against those they deem unworthy of treatment? This is beyond the pale and downright dangerous. Goldie Olszynko, Mile End Time to take a break from Trump Re: 'Surefire coping methods for current U.S. presidency' (Josh Freed, May 10) What I enjoy most about Josh Freed's commentary is that, while full of satire and humour, its underlying message is stone-cold true. As much as possible, I try to remain apolitical. But after years of Donald Trump dominating the news, I believe Freed speaks for all of us: We need a break. One person should not be occupying this much space and time in our minds. We should all turn off our electronic devices and TVs, grab a good book and a beverage, and sit outside in the sun. This may be the cure for our collective 'post-Trumpatic stress disorder' (PTSD). Nick Di Cino, Ahuntsic-Cartierville Sentence exposes flawed system Re: ' Judge reluctantly agrees to impose 7-year term for attempted murder ' (The Gazette, May 14) A man stabs his ex-girlfriend multiple times and pleads guilty to attempted murder. The judge says he 'profoundly disagrees' with the joint sentencing recommendation by the Crown and defence but feels 'bound' to accept it because the Court of Appeal had reversed three of his previous harsher sentences. This seems like a glaring example of the inherently terrible failures of our justice system allowing violent offenders to get off too easy and putting the public in potential danger. Gerry Raven, Hampstead Opinion page hits close to home Four sujets de jour, all on the same page, all hitting close to home with me. It could be because I am a proud Canadian who has lived most of my life in my beloved Montreal. Or because I am a Jew familiar with the horrors of the Holocaust. Or because I am a retired longtime EMSB employee with profound admiration for FACE. Our special neighbours to the south should never be placed in the embarrassing position where they feel the need to apologize for their president's destructive and degrading behaviour toward a friend and ally (but we thank you anyway). Prospective American tourists to our world-class city should never feel hesitant about travelling to any Canadian location for fear of reprisals (you are always welcome here). I have no doubt that Holocaust education must be included in all schools to educate people of all ages and backgrounds about the dangers of antisemitism and hate. And any permanent dismantling of FACE would put an equally permanent stain on those responsible for carrying out this decision. I know all this makes me sound like my late father when I say: 'What is this world coming to?' Lori Rubin, Hudson Submitting a letter to the editor Letters should be sent by email to letters@ 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.
