Latest news with #NPMontreal
Montreal Gazette
01-08-2025
- Politics
- Montreal Gazette
Letters: Canada-U.S. relationship will never be the same
Re: ' American writer shocked by how furious Canadians are with the United States ' (NP Montreal, July 25) In his New York magazine article, the writer suggests the Canadian chill toward the United States will eventually 'thaw,' especially if the next president is a Democrat. Maybe. But I doubt Canadians will soon forget how America turned against us after being the closest of allies and partners for decades. The anger will probably subside, but I believe the relationship will never be the same — never as trusting or as deep. America has shown us who they are. Jerry Trudeau, N.D.G. Rich get richer under Trump The U.S. is projected to receive $300 billion from tariffs collected internationally, while the so-called 'one big, beautiful bill' proposes cuts to government and social services. No plan seems to exist to share tariff revenue with Americans who have the greatest need. Instead, it seems destined to underwrite a tax cut that will benefit the wealthiest citizens. It's expected consumers will bear the biggest brunt of these tariffs. This might be acceptable if the money was being used to help those who are the most impacted by inflation and struggling to make ends meet. But it seems Trump takes from the poor and gives to the rich. Natalie Turko-Slack, Pierrefonds Santé Québec progress report? Re: ' Over 900,000 Quebecers on wait-lists for specialists ' (The Gazette, July 17) More than six months have passed since the CAQ government launched Santé Québec, the bureaucratic adjunct to the Health Ministry. It was supposed to operate with much improved efficiency to deliver better health care to more Quebecers, many of whom now lack either primary care doctors or timely services. As we wait to see concrete results form Santé Québec, I believe it is incumbent upon that organization to present a 'progress report' of what exactly has been accomplished so far and what plans are in the making so that we can have some reassurance that the huge cost for this major bureaucratic organization is not a colossal waste of the taxpayers money. Goldie Olszynko, Mile End Ozzy's Crazy Train late on arrival Re: ' Birmingham, the 'home of metal,' gives emotional farewell to Ozzy Osbourne ' (NP Montreal, July 31) I clearly remember in 1980 when Crazy Train was released as a single and never made it to the Billboard Hot 100 pop chart. Seems it was too intense, too heavy metal. This week's Hot 100 has it at No. 46, and it is likely to rise. Turns out this classic has a new life, even if the artist's life had to end. Edmund Gleason, Pincourt 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
21-05-2025
- Health
- Montreal Gazette
Letters: Coroner's report into homeless man's death must be followed by action
There are some Gazette articles that should never be forgotten. One such article tells the story of Raphaël André, the Innu man who froze to death overnight next to a closed homeless shelter and the subsequent coroner's inquest. The recent 75-page report by coroner Stéphanie Gamache, which analyzes the circumstances surrounding the death and offers recommendations to prevent future homeless tragedies, must be implemented. Gamache paraphrased the powerful message by the victim's mother by telling the inquiry that on Jan. 16, 2021 — in a city with more than a million doors — all were closed that night. Let us always have doors that are accessible to those in need. Meanwhile, as Gamache noted, a warming tent placed in Cabot Square in André's honour has been used by over 108,000 people in the 14 months it was open. Shloime Perel, Côte-St-Luc Medical specialists deserve gratitude An expression of profound gratitude is extended to Dr. Vincent Oliva, whose voice on behalf of Quebec's medical specialists — in a full-page ad in the May 20 Gazette — has vowed to continue to care for Quebecers despite the policies of the CAQ government that have created 'untenable conditions' for the venerable profession. It is reassuring to know that our doctors will respect their Hippocratic Oath. Vivianne M. Silver, Côte-St-Luc A few proposals by special delivery With the rise of email, text messages and social media, home mail delivery is not as essential as it was 30 years ago. However, completely eliminating it would create challenges, especially for seniors and people with special needs. Reducing home delivery to two days per week, instead of five, could reduce costs while still allowing mail carriers to make their rounds and potentially notice overflowing mailboxes of seniors, suggesting a welfare check by authorities is needed. For people who still prefer home delivery over a P.O. box or a community mailbox, it could be offered for a monthly fee of, say, $20 per home address, but free for seniors and people with special needs. Ragnar Radtke, Beaconsfield Blame belongs with aggressor Re: ' Trump says Russia-Ukraine ceasefire talks will begin 'immediately'' (NP Montreal, May 20) It is morally reprehensible and factually inaccurate when Donald Trump and his administration appear to assign equal culpability to both sides of the Kremlin-orchestrated war against Ukraine. Threatening to 'walk away' and let them thrash it out fails to take into account that one side is the powerful aggressor and the other the greatly outnumbered victim. Painting Volodymyr Zelenskyy as 'difficult,' as Trump has done in public comments, suggests the U.S. president now expects Ukraine's capitulation to achieve his dream of being a 'peacemaker.' Natalie Turko-Slack, Pierrefonds 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
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Montreal Gazette
Letters: Round 1 in Oval Office goes to Carney
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 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
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Montreal Gazette
Letters: To the U.S. couple uneasy about visiting Montreal . . .
Re: ' Trepidation over visit to Montreal ' (Letters, April 30) I was saddened to read the letter from an American couple expressing trepidation about visiting Montreal to celebrate their 47th wedding anniversary. To them, I would say two things: First, please understand that Canadians make a clear distinction between the American people and the American administration. While there is anger, resentment and feelings of betrayal, none of it is directed at the American people. Our feelings toward Americans remain warm and we truly appreciate your support in these trying times. Second, while there is a language issue in Quebec, it is one mostly between the government and the local anglophone population. While Quebecers are proud of their language and culture, no one reasonably expects tourists to speak French when visiting and everyone certainly understands the important economic benefits that derive from tourism. So please, come visit, enjoy your anniversary and do not feel uneasy. You are welcome here. Hal Gilmour, Montreal Why doesn't Trump come here instead? Re: ' Trump says he'll meet with Carney at White House ' (NP Montreal, May 1) I understand it's necessary for Prime Minister Mark Carney and U.S. President Donald Trump to meet soon. I would have hoped, however, that Trump would be coming to our nation's capital instead of the other way around. Enough of Canada's politicians trotting south. Already that has been done and, embarrassingly, once too often. Patricia Larson Winston, Montreal Carney does not 'owe' Quebecers Re: ' Legault welcomes 'economic prime minster' ' (The Gazette, April 30) I find Premier François Legault's choice of words on the outcome of the federal election, with Liberal Mark Carney elected as prime minister, questionable at best and irksome at worst. As a Quebecer and a Canadian voter, I don't believe Carney 'owes one to Quebecers' for having helped him win the election. Like all Canadian citizens, we Quebecers had the choice to cast our votes with the party we favoured for whatever reasons that mattered to us. What the prime minister owes all Canadians is to fulfil the promises made pre-election to the country as a whole. Legault is off-base to expect Carney to single out pockets of the populace for some kind of reward simply for having exercised their democratic right to vote for a candidate of their choice. Goldie Olszynko, Mile End Insulting words from Bloc leader Re: ' Blanchet accused of attacks 'from the inside'' ' (The Gazette, April 28) When all of Canada seems to be in solidarity against tariffs imposed by the U.S., I find it extremely insulting for Bloc Québécois Leader Yves François Blanchet to call Canada 'an artificial country with very little meaning.' I would ask him if he deposits his 'artificial' paycheques. Joyce Stempkowsky, N.D.G. 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.
