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Strombexit …
The supercilious attitude toward Ron MacLean and the "old" Hockey Night in Canada format ("staid," "out-of-date," "old-fashioned, small town," "forced folksiness"), as opposed to the view of "cool" George Stroumboulopoulos, who apparently exudes "cerebral empathy" is not at all appreciated (Strombexit: The Old Ways Win – editorial, June 23).
Many of us who watch sports are fed up with being bombarded with "cool," fashionably dressed (to whom?) people who know virtually nothing about hockey. Rogers should have followed the old adage: If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Stephen Kirby, Belleville, Ont.
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George Stroumboulopoulos is a victim of hockey's inherent conservatism? My mistake, I thought television was all about money and ratings.
Trevor Amon, Victoria
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Re What Would MacLean's Return To Hockey Night Say About The NHL's Influence? (June 21): Ron MacLean's return (which, if it happens, will undoubtedly be complete with his frequent pandering, faux indignation and cornball sense of humour) is far more telling of a complete disregard in Canada for the development and promotion of talented and respected professional sports commentators than it is of the NHL's influence.
Peter A. Lewis-Watts, Barrie, Ont.
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NIMBY chorus
Re Quebec Hopping Mad Over Federal Intervention To Protect Frog (June 23): For years, environmentalists have been accused of NIMBYism (Not In My Back Yard) when they oppose development of habitat needed by species at risk. How ironic to see David Heurtel, Quebec's Environment Minister, exhibiting what could be described as NIMBYism over the federal government's emergency order to protect habitat of the western chorus frog, which is in danger of extirpation by 2030.
Pamela Stagg, Picton, Ont.
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Pension fairness
Re Savings Grace (editorial, June 22): Prevailing winds in Western economies seem to blow ever neo-liberal. Your editorial, however, reminds us that the CPP, established in 1965, is still a good deal. How good? The CPP's annualized rate of inflation-adjusted return over the past 10 years is reported at 5.1 per cent.
Social security, a program to look after each other, makes us a wealthier, happier and more tolerant people. Not having to fear the world's "uncertain economy" quite as much, we are less vulnerable to rogues and demagogues.
The positive "blow for inter-generational fairness" is a reminder that fairness generally is the bedrock of our democracy, and that we need to be ever watchful in its protection.
Jack Wilkinson, Winnipeg
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It's interesting to read that the Canadian Federation of Independent Business is concerned that the proposed CPP expansion will affect wages, hours and jobs.
The CFIB is a strong supporter of the temporary foreign worker program, the post-millenium versions of which are arguably key contributors to the mediocre state of wages and employment in this country.
Justin Tanguay, Ottawa
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The remedy for pension disparities is lost in plain sight: The main difference between well-pensioned public workers and increasingly poorly pensioned private sector workers is collective bargaining (Ontario Catalyst For CPP Expansion Pact – June 22).
Nearly all public pay and benefits are negotiated, while private sector bargaining coverage has fallen. Because there is a strong relationship between collective bargaining and equality, governments ought to encourage the practice and procedure of collective bargaining.
Collective bargaining is one of the fundamental human rights that all nations have a moral duty to respect and promote; as a member of the International Labour Organization, Canada has an equivalent treaty obligation.
In its recent jurisprudence, the Supreme Court of Canada has stated that with regard to their constitutional right to bargain collectively, Canadians are entitled to domestic standards no less generous than those that exist under international law.
Roy J. Adams, Ariel Sallows Chair of Human Rights (emeritus), University of Saskatchewan
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Death's ownership
Re Christian Doctors Challenge Assisted-Death Referral Requirement (June 22): Dr. Ewan Goligher is quoted as saying, "I think the patient is of greater value than their preference."
With that one statement, he summed up what I believe to be at the core of the debate on assisted dying: those who believe that they know best for themselves, and those who believe that they know what is best for others.
My father's death from Alzheimer's followed three years of dehumanizing, degrading and agonizing decline and decrepitude. It is not a choice he ever would have made for himself.
I am not afraid of death, but I am scared to death of dying as my father did. Even more terrifying to me are people who purport to know better than I do what is best for me, and put forth the preposterous notion that my life belongs to to their mythological god rather than to me.
My life is mine. It is my most fundamental right. I would defend Dr. Goligher's right to die any way he chooses as staunchly as I would defend my own. So I say to all the Dr. Golighers and those whose views they represent: Stay out of my life. It's not your business.
John Herberman, Toronto
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Although I am not a Christian, I support the court challenge. I respect unconditionally the right of individuals to decide for themselves how they want to end their lives. I will not impose my belief or will on anyone. I don't think you need a physician to legally kill a person (please, let's cut out euphemisms) if the person has decided that he/she wants to die.
What is wrong with preparing a standard concoction to be dispensed by an appropriate body for use by those who need it?
Physician regulatory bodies in conjunction with ministries of health can set up centres to which people can refer themselves directly, without the intermediary of physicians. Such centres could be staffed by persons who wish to practise legalized assisted killing.
Personally, I will not take part in assisted-death procedures. I, too, am of the opinion that referring such patients is tantamount to the "moral equivalent to participating in the procedure."
Muri B. Abdurrahman, MD, Toronto
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Even if it's all true
Re Trump Attacks Clinton's Past, Makes Appeal To Sanders Fans (June 23): Isn't it a pity that Hunter S. Thompson isn't around to write a sequel to his wild and wonderful book Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail '72?
The 2016 presidential campaign is going to make 1972 seem like a walk in the park.
Walter Tedman, Kingston
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Even if everything that Donald Trump says about Hillary Clinton is absolutely true, she is still only the second-worst presidential candidate in 2016.
Kevin Riemer, Pointe-Claire, Que.