Letters to the editor, July 1: ‘I will travel to Calgary to show support for my fellow Albertans to remain in Canada’

Build together

Re “Senate passes Carney’s signature bill to fast-track major projects” (June 27): Canada has a wealth of natural resources, but we have to get them out of the ground and to tidewater to turn them into dollars that would benefit all Canadians, including Indigenous people. Bill C-5 is Canada’s “build, build, build” opportunity to do so.

Elsewhere, the Canada Infrastructure Bank’s mandate includes pledges to prioritize investments that are “in line with First Nation, Inuit and Métis projects and to also explore options for an Indigenous Infrastructure Bank.”

It seems to me that’s the ticket: more federal-Indigenous focus on working co-operatively to develop critical resources that align with the CIB’s inclusive pledges, instead of reflexive objection to any project that crosses unceded territory.

Nancy Marley-Clarke Cochrane, Alta.

Pay for shipping

Re “Federal infrastructure bank provided $1-billion in loans for BC Ferries to buy Chinese-made ships” (June 26): Those who do not live in British Columbia do not have to put up with BC Ferries’ abysmal service levels.

Sadly, from what I see, most Canadian shipyards are kept alive by a succession of public-sector contracts, which are often late and overbudget. Our shipbuilding industry doesn’t seem able to compete for customers concerned with quality, timeliness and cost.

So I’m forced to feel that David Eby made the tough but correct decision for British Columbians. If our shipbuilding industry had a plan for being able to compete with China, South Korea and the like, then the arguments would be very different.

If anyone wants to berate Mr. Eby, it should be about the opaque and byzantine way BC Ferries is managed and regulated. No one seems accountable for its performance.

Fixing that is definitely within Mr. Eby’s control, and it looks like he has chosen to do nothing.

Ritchie Leslie Vernon, B.C.

China builds more than half the world’s ships, and Canadian yards can’t compete on price. But we should maintain the ability to build our own warships and submarines, which China will not build for us.

Canada requires a steady investment in our shipyards to maintain skills, infrastructure and industrial readiness. In return, this investment would help secure our sovereignty. Every dollar sent abroad erodes that foundation.

Building B.C. ferries in China serves their interests, not ours.

Julian Kenney FRINA, Mississauga

Just a number

Re “Carney’s inner circle of aging white guys has the experience the Trudeau team lacked” (Opinion, June 26): A metaphoric stink bomb is lobbed at Mark Carney for appointing “aging white guys” to his inner circle.

Would a more politically correct approach be preferred by insisting the Prime Minister be more inclusive and having these appointees reflect Canada’s array of sexual identities, races, religions and cultural differences representing various geographical regions?

Canada is at a hinge moment, under attack by Donald Trump, facing immense economic, security and environmental threats.

Mr. Carney has chosen trusted and proven professionals (including, oh my gosh, a woman) to guide Canada through these perilous waters. It might just behoove you to celebrate finally having a grown-up running the country, instead of carping about aging white men.

Marty Cutler Toronto

Now and then

Re “Alberta’s independence panel? Been there, done that” (Opinion, June 27): On Oct. 27, 1995, I was at Place du Canada in Montreal, under a Canadian flag, to express my desire for my fellow Quebeckers to remain part of the country.

I did not agree with then-Premier Jacques Parizeau’s wish to separate, but I did respect him for being clear about his intentions. Danielle Smith is doing all she can, in my view, to foment similar sentiments for separation.

The difference I see is that she facilitates the efforts of a minority in favour of separation, while at the same time saying she is not supporting separation. She should make up her mind.

If necessary, I will travel to Calgary to show support for my fellow Albertans to remain in Canada.

William Pascal Ottawa

I don’t know where our Premier was when we all learned how to play nice in the sandbox. Lessons such as getting along with others and sharing and caring seem to have passed her by.

Hand-picking a panel to see how Alberta can further push back against the federal government sounds more like gang tactics. How about we discuss furthering the country as a whole, benefitting all Canadians, including Albertans?

Leona Yez Devon, Alta.

Higher calling

Re “Supreme Court justice Gérard La Forest helped modernize Canadian law” (Obituary, June 27): I also had the privilege of knowing and admiring Gérard La Forest for his humility and brilliance. He understood that the Charter was a pathway only.

He also understood a judicial restraint I do not see as common in the judiciary these days.

Jerry Grafstein Toronto

When in Rome

Re “How to win the housing density debate” (Editorial, June 27): Opposition to sensible housing density in Canada never ceases to amaze me.

Social media is full of selfies taken by Canadian tourists in Amsterdam, Paris, Vienna, Barcelona, etc., marvelling at the beauty, vibrancy and livability of these marvellous destinations. Many of these same tourists return home to fight desperately to block housing that might replicate this success here at home.

The result is often tall towers full of 800-square-foot cracker boxes, surrounded by sprawling single-family furniture museums reachable only by car. I hope your editorial opens at least a few eyes to the value of the missing middle.

Lyle Clarke Whitby, Ont.

Fake out

Re “Ontario art dealer Jim White pleads guilty to selling forged Morrisseau artworks” (June 27): A major problem with Norval Morrisseau art forgeries is that they are not a neatly contained scandal. They create dreadful and lasting collateral damage.

That these forgeries are so numerous spreads a malodorous pall of suspicion over other completely unrelated modern artworks. In recent times, when I view works by other modern Canadian luminaries, my first thought is, “But how do I know these are genuine and not fake?”

This suspicious disquietude is very sad.

Paul Thiessen Vancouver

Maven’s story

Re “It’s never too late to find your true self” (June 27): The front-page story of Maven Mauer was a wonderful tribute and transformative story. The message of Pride is to “be true to oneself.” It takes courage and conviction to do so. As she notes, good therapy, reflection and supportive community matter. Imagine if we all lived from our true self, which I define as soul. If we lived from that space, our world would be less judgmental, more loving, and compassion would abound.

Reverend John Pentland Hillhurst United Calgary

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: [email protected]