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Hands off scientists
Even as privacy fades with smartphones, YouTube, Wiki and other leaks, the Canadian government strives to shroud publicly funded achievements in secrecy (Federal Scientists Push For Protection From Political Interference – May 18).
As a veteran public servant when Mike Harris became Ontario premier in 1995, I had often responsibly shared public information with journalists. His Conservative government ended that, compelling us to direct inquiries up the chain and await either a script for responding, or direction not to respond.
This chokehold on democracy was uncomfortable, but only during testimony in the Walkerton inquiry did some of us learn the chilling level of suppression; simple queries went all the way to the premier's office for direction about responding.
Kudos to the scientists for taking a stand, but their collective agreement isn't enough to save the democratic free flow of information. What are the rest of us doing?
Nancy Johnson, Sudbury
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Fighting fire
Re Why Firefighters Are Underworked And Overpaid – May 19: Margaret Wente doesn't leave you guessing about her feelings for unions, but what is less clear is why she is pointing a finger at our community fire services, rather than the real culprit: the model of funding for municipal fire services.
While she correctly states that there are fewer fires and more firefighters in Ontario than in the past, she does not note that municipal bylaws regulate levels of service, such as specialized rescues, vehicle collisions, medical calls, carbon monoxide and smoke alarm calls, inspections, education.
Nor does she note that 80 per cent of Canada's firefighters are volunteers.
As with police and paramedic services, fire services come with a cost. But fire remains the only essential service solely supported by each respective municipality in Ontario. Maybe she should be asking questions about that.
Paul Boissonneault, president, Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, Ottawa
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Usual business?
Last week, the federal government announced plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Now we hear that the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency will resume a review that would potentially facilitate the development of LNG terminals on the West Coast (LNG Project Set For Environmental Review – Report on Business, May 19).
Most GHG emissions result from the burning of fossil fuels. Liquefied natural gas is a fossil fuel that is useful only when it is burned. The argument that building LNG terminals and infrastructure will have little or no environmental impact is tough to swallow.
Factor in a federal government saying it has a plan for significant reductions in carbon emissions and you wonder where truth is to be found. This situation has nothing to do with putting a price on carbon, or working to transition away from fossil fuels. This is all about business as usual.
Ron Robinson, Nelson, B.C.
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Pointing fingers
Defence Minister Jason Kenney's spokeswoman, Lauren Armstrong, defends the federal government's military procurement record by criticizing the previous Liberal government's record (Navy Techs Scoured E-Bay For Vintage Ship Parts, Records Show – May 18).
I thought that the Conservatives were elected to improve upon the the Liberal record, not duplicate it.
There should be a statute of limitations as to how long an elected government can fall back on the "it's all the fault of the previous government" explanation. After almost 10 years in power, the Conservatives are the previous government.
Kevin Riemer, Pointe-Claire, Que.
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Butt out, or pay up
Re Let's Take Bolder Steps To Stamp Out Smoking – May 19: It is interesting that we don't see high school students standing on the sidewalk in front of their schools drinking alcohol in front of everyone, but we can find students smoking every day.
Maybe if underage smokers were fined, as underage drinkers are, they would stop smoking outside their schools. Until then, they are sending a clear message that they know adults and politicians are not really serious about preventing underage smoking.
Kimble Sutherland, Ingersoll, Ont.
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Of the anti-smoking measures proposed by André Picard, the most realistic one would be to regulate the tobacco market by limiting the points of sale.
Rather than having tobacco sold in convenience stores, the government could create health-oriented outlets where smokers could buy cigarettes and also get counselling on quitting.
Prohibition of such widely used products, justified as it would be based on their toxicity, is simply not realistic. And while doctors and pharmacists might rightly reject the notion of prescribing cigarettes, a regulated market could be combined with some form of a smoker's licence to further reduce tobacco access while not promoting a black market.
Stan Shatenstein, Montreal
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Measuring wealth
Re Taxing The Rich Will Not Pay Off For Trudeau – May 18: Konrad Yakabuski says increased taxes on the rich won't work because the wealthy will find ways to reduce their taxable income. Aren't they already doing that, and shouldn't we try to stop it? A fair tax system is not just about progressive taxation, but that is obviously part of the solution, along with closing loopholes favouring the wealthy.
Studies have shown that income inequality correlates with higher crime rates, poor educational results, poor physical health, reduced social mobility, and so on. Inequality can only be corrected with a deliberate policy and program of action.
D. Kerr, Collingwood, Ont.
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Konrad Yakabuski argues that "a tax rate above 50 per cent is a good way to ensure your rich folk become those of another country." That may be true, but does Canada really want the kinds of rich folk who leave?
They may be rich in material wealth but I suggest that they may be poor in social wealth – virtue, wisdom, compassion. If some of their material wealth can be used to increase the social health and wealth for everyone, then that would make a more equitable society, with the rich also enjoying this collective wealth.
I hope they would recognize this, stay in Canada, and help to increase the overall wealth of Canadian society.
Dennis Dong, Kingston