Sex workers' safety
There's a reason prostitution is called the oldest profession (Ottawa Didn't Seek Outside Legal Opinion – July 8). Peter MacKay's attempt to rewrite the prostitution laws is very unlikely to change this. Bill C-36 will neither discourage entry into the "profession" or limit participation.
This bill is, in fact, more likely to place sex workers' lives in jeopardy and cost taxpayers millions of dollars in court challenges.
What's needed, as pointed out by the Supreme Court, is the assurance for "security of the person" – protection for sex workers in a profession that invites violence and exploitation.
Monica Cullum, Ottawa
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Chris Alexander replies
Re A Cruel Policy, Struck Down (editorial, July 7): We are appealing the Federal Court decision on our government's reforms to the Interim Federal Health Program because it fails Canadian taxpayers and neglects genuine refugees.
We strongly believe that failed claimants who refuse to leave Canada and individuals making asylum claims from the United States or the European Union should not be entitled to better health care than Canadians receive.
Under the old, broken refugee system, abuse was commonplace. Thanks to our reforms, we've seen asylum claims from safe countries fall by 87 per cent. This means countries truly in distress, like Afghanistan, Syria and the Congo, have resumed their place among the Top 10 countries for asylum claimants in Canada.
Thanks to fewer unfounded asylum claims, we've already saved $600-million in health and social benefits, with anticipated savings of $1.5-billion over five years.
Chris Alexander, Citizenship and Immigration Minister
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RRIF rules' upside
Re Hey Ottawa, Hands Off My RRIF (editorial, July 5): The RRIF rules are not as big a deal as you've suggested. While the minimum withdrawal percentages starting at 7 per cent would be an unsustainable level of spending for the average retiree's life expectancy, the rules are not insisting the money be spent, only taxed. After 20 to 40 years of tax deferral and tax-free compounding, it is time for tax to be paid. The funds can be reinvested immediately, albeit with tax paid annually.
Tax paid gradually is often less than tax on a large lump sum upon death, especially for lower income earners who pay almost no tax. For this reason, the rules actually help many Canadians pay less tax.
Michael Elliott, Hamilton
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A bit pregnant?
Former Ontario premier Mike Harris's enthusiastic endorsement of the Northern Gateway Pipeline is naive at the least (Co-Operate On Gateway For Prosperity's Sake – July 8). He assumes that with "tough but fair" conditions, the interests of the economy and the environment can be reconciled. This sounds a bit like being only partly pregnant.
Tellingly, Mr. Harris never mentioned climate change or emissions, as if the only environmental damage were potential spills. The "tough but fair" conditions he cites must include the consequences of increased emissions from burning the fossil fuels transported, not merely the process of transportation.
The economy is a wholly owned subsidiary of the environment; half-way measures may not suffice. How about a dam halfway up to what is needed against a flood?
Lynn McDonald, Toronto
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And the enemy is …
While amusing, David Parkins's editorial cartoon on the Supreme Court (like the Prime Minister) misses the point (None Shall Pass – July 7). Mr. Harper thinks the courts are his enemy, but the real issue is his contempt for the rule of law. The PM has yet to understand that there are limits to the power of Parliament, as well as that of the executive.
The Supreme Court, joined by courts at all levels, has repeatedly articulated this concept, but the PM is not a good student. He and the Justice Minister must accept that Canada is a constitutional democracy, and that parliamentary and executive powers are constrained by the Constitution.
Alison M. Fraser, adjunct professor, School of Policy Studies, Queen's University
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Your editorial cartoon showing Stephen Harper with his limbs cut off was in poor taste. It was too violent, despite the allusion to Monty Python. Does anything go when Stephen Harper is attacked?
Ada Hallett, Ottawa
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Journalism, privacy
Re How Measures To Protect Privacy Stifle Good Journalism (July 7): Sometimes good journalism and selling newspapers can coincide. In Rupert Murdoch's world, they did not. Knowing the difference between holding public officials accountable and invading the privacy of citizens is essential in this age of immediate, digital journalism. This is the essence of the Leveson Inquiry report into the U.K. phone-hacking scandal.
It's no wonder public disdain for journalism and journalists has never been so apparent as it is now. Journalists need to acknowledge that the public must be an understanding partner in how journalism best serves democracy. Doug Saunders's approach of "trust me, I'm a journalist" just doesn't cut it any more.
Jeffrey Dvorkin, director, Journalism Program, University of Toronto
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Canada's shiny brand
Re Canadian Pospisil Shares Doubles Title (Sports, July 7): Vasek Pospisil, along with his new American partner, Jack Sock, won the Wimbledon men's doubles title, beating the Bryan brothers – male tennis-doubles royalty who have held the World No. 1 doubles ranking for over 370 weeks and own many Olympic medals.
The match was epic – an incredible story of two fine up-and-coming singles players teaming together only at the start of this year's Wimbledon, who played with an infectious joy and a crazy high level of play.
"Popsock" (as the team is now affectionately called by its many new fans) showed all Canadians something neither of our single semi-finalist and finalist teams managed. It is a shame that you gave this story so little space.
Diana McCarthy, Ottawa
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Lawrence Martin writes that going all the way back to Barbara Ann Scott, female athletes have "helped make the Canadian brand shine" (If Ford Is The Problem, Bouchard Is The Antidote – July 8). Actually, the lustre from our women athletes goes all the way back to the inimitable Ethel Catherwood, known as the "Saskatoon Lily" for her renowned physical beauty.
She was a great athlete, winning the gold medal in high jump at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics at a world-record height. Much like Eugenie Bouchard, she captured the hearts of the European press, while back in North America The New York Times dubbed her as "the prettiest of all the girl athletes" at the Olympics. This was the beginning of Canadian female athletes taking the world by storm on a variety of fronts.
J.D.M. Stewart, Toronto