Do the math
Re Hydro One Privatization Plan In Works (front page, March 10): Ontario Liberal math: Hydro One initial public offering (IPO) proceeds - the two gas-plant cancellation losses = a cup of coffee.
Robert Orr, Burlington, Ont.
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This government's history of similar proposals is a litany of failure: Wise investors always seem to realize that political needs and wants will trump minority shareholder interests.
Only with a real privatization or a robust public-private partnership do politics rank behind the contractual right to a fair return for the private owner or public-private partnership (PPP) operator which is the risk-taker. For example, this government looked for votes by freezing tariffs on the privatized Highway 407. Both the court and arbitrators denied the government's claim of an implied right to do that, recognizing the owner's rights under contract.
Whether one likes or dislikes privatization of, and PPPs for, public assets is a matter for hot debate. Notwithstanding, prospective minority investors must balance carefully their minimal rights against a government whose "prime directive" is its political advantage. So this latest proposal seems doomed as well.
Michael Robinson, Toronto
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Considering the amount of capital that has been contributed to Ontario Hydro by the province's residents, only residents of Ontario should be allowed to buy shares of the public entity.
This asset is the backbone of the economy – literally – and it should be Ontario residents who own it. End of story.
Brian Muckle, Bath, Ont.
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T-word tactics
"A terrorist is someone who has a bomb but doesn't have an air force." And a connection with Islam, it seems. Otherwise, you're just a serial killer or deranged (Denial Won't Make The T-word Go Away – March 10).
In these times of waging war without declaring war, it seems our invasion of another country is seen as humanitarian. However, if someone with sympathies with the invaded should kill a soldier or try to bring that war to our country, we get outraged and terrified. This terror is a godsend to those who can profit by it.
While I do not want to be murdered by anyone, man or moose, with or without Islamist connections, I worry much more about putting potential police-state powers in the hands of a potential megalomaniac.
Ted Syperek, Toronto
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Trudeau's tactics
Re Trudeau Slams Tories For Terror Rhetoric (March 10): It is passing rich that Justin Trudeau, who won't let caucus members out in public without their consciences fully veiled, is so concerned about the state of liberty in Canada.
Wayne Nimigan, Ottawa
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If Justin Trudeau equates the plight of the Jews being turned away in the 1930s and 1940s to the Muslims of today, he obviously does not understand …
I.E. Ross, Victoria
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I wonder: When Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau is quoting "none is too many" to describe Canada's Second World War policies toward Jews, does he realize that it was the Liberals themselves who led Canada before, during and after that war?
Richard Urbanek, Toronto
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Mulcair's tactics
Re How The NDP Plans To Win It All (March 10): Some of us are so desperate for change, we have begged the Liberals, NDP and Greens to work together to defeat the Harper Conservatives.
So what is the NDP going to do? Everything they can to split the anti-Harper vote by attacking Justin Trudeau. This tactic demonstrates they care more about the fortunes of their party than the fate of Canada.
I have heard Thomas Mulcair slagging Mr. Trudeau about his age, last name and privileged background, as if Mr. Trudeau had any more control over these factors than Mr. Mulcair had over the socio-economic status of his birth family or the number of his siblings. This is the sort of ad hominem attack we expect from the Conservatives, not from a party that promises "working together and with respect."
If the NDP implements the sort of negative campaign proposed by Brad Lavigne – focusing on Justin Trudeau rather than Canada's real enemy, Stephen Harper – and we end up with another Conservative mandate, many Canadians will place the blame squarely at the feet of Mr. Mulcair and his party.
Patricia Wilmot, Toronto
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Our soldiers' fate
As the Conservatives continue to pay lip service to caring for our disabled vets, Britain manages to do the right thing (Benefits – Folio, March 10). "Severely disabled veterans receive 100 per cent of their military salary tax-free for life."
Simple. Correct. Moral.
Canada should do no less.
Carolyn Roberts, Halifax
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Re Military To Probe Friendly Fire Tragedy (March 10): Just because the words exist doesn't mean we or the media have to use them. Bullets that kill are hardly "friendly."
Mary Valentich, Calgary
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Sexist and illogical
Re Tax On Tampons Is Sexist And Illogical (March 10): Tampons should be exempt from tax.
Period.
Lyman MacInnis, Toronto
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Climate speak
Canadians worried about climate change and rising sea levels will find that the solution to these serious problems appears to have been found in Florida by, of course, the Florida Department for Environmental Protection (Florida Agency Banned From Using Term 'Climate Change': Report – online, March 9).
Thousands of its employees have been instructed not to use the words "global warming" or "climate change." "Sea level rise" has to be referred to as "nuisance flooding," a much more manageable difficulty.
May I humbly offer news of this breakthrough in the political management of a source of worry to millions of Canadians to Stephen Harper's cabinet for use in the next election?
Bill Piket, White Rock, B.C.
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Banning terms like "climate change" or "global warming" in official correspondence? This from a state that is already seeing the impacts of the phenomenon on coastal areas?
When did the Harper Conservatives take over Florida?
J. Halton Doyle, Ajax, Ont.
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Doggy misdeeds
I took note of letter writer Sarah Hoag's concerns about "leg-lifting" dogs killing plants and decided to persuade our pooch to use the toilet (Doggy Calling Cards – March 10). Unfortunately, he keeps falling off the seat.
This morning, he left the seat up and I got the blame.
Michael R. Conrad, Vancouver