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Fire's constants
Fires are integral to boreal forests. Their severity varies with fuel levels but two things trigger them: dry conditions and ignition events. This year marks the centennial of the tragic Great Fire of 1916, which destroyed some 2,000 square kilometres of northeast Ontario, burning to the ground Iroquois Falls, Matheson, Ramore and several other towns, killing 223 people. The 1916 fire was the result of deliberately set blazes, and the Fort McMurray fire may be too. Climate may well change, but boreal ecosystems, dry-weather events and human behaviour seem to remain constant.
John Riley, Mono, Ont.
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Given the tragedy of the destruction of so many homes by the huge wildfires in Fort McMurray, it's time for a total rethink of how we build housing that will survive the inevitable forest fires that occur in our country.
Australia has many years' experience of "bushfires" and has developed designs and building methods for housing that is defined as "bushfire proof." Two types of construction will achieve this result: The first is concrete, the second is steel frame.
The Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization has developed a nationwide standard for such buildings. This could be a starting point for a Canadian standard that will allow us not to repeat the mistake of wood-framed houses in a known fire zone.
David Nathan, Meaford, Ont.
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In the alternative
Re Medicine And Magic Is A Toxic Mix (May 9): Since the tragic death of Ezekiel Stephan, and his parents' conviction for "failing to provide the necessaries of life," there has been much moralizing about people who foolishly believe in "magic" and faddish alternatives of traditional medicine.
Ezekiel's parents deserve the criticism they have received and must live with their actions for the rest of their days. But there is a much larger target for criticism.
The provincial governments that have permitted self-regulation for naturopathy deserve much of the blame for fostering this situation. Allowing naturopaths to call themselves "doctor" sounds to me like an endorsement. Or is it just meant to be a qualified endorsement?
There is plenty of confusion and blame to go around here.
Bill Hall, Toronto
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Although modern medicine may be necessary in the treatment of acute illness, it has failed miserably in the treatment of chronic disease. Humans have known for centuries that the body has enormous self-healing capabilities. Holistic practitioners, including naturopaths, recognize this and offer patients ways to take control of their health through diet, stress reduction and herbs that promote healing and optimal function.
Do not preach to me that modern medicine and its dependance on the treatment of symptoms with pills is the only way to health. There is no reason why both naturopathy and modern medicine cannot complement each other. I fear to live in a world robbed of healing choices.
Charlene Conte, Niagara Falls, Ont.
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Enforced? Maybe
Re Yes To Legalization, No To Lawlessness (editorial, May 9): Sadly, marijuana dispensaries are not the only retailers who unlawfully sell recreational drugs.
Electronic nicotine products are illegal here, yet Euromonitor re-cently estimated there were more than 1,000 vape shops across Canada. Public health has long relied on sellers, buyers and regulators to respect the law. Using lax enforcement instead of legislatures to change policy is a problem that extends beyond cannabis.
Cynthia Callard, Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada
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Out for delivery
Re Canada Post Goes Back To The Drawing Board (May 9): Seniors are among the most vocal opponents of mail delivery cutbacks. Yet every fall, thousands of them head south, leaving their mail behind for months at a time. Their bills are paid automatically and they know that anything urgent will come by e-mail.
Maybe Canada Post should consider delivery twice a year?
John Harder, Priceville, Ont.
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Anthem as auspice
Re Wade's Anthem Antics Have Given Canadians A Villain To Sing About (Sports, May 9): Singing the national anthem at sporting events is not pointless. There are 18,000 fans-in-the-stands in the room and 50 athletes. It's all about the fan experience and we go for a tribal experience. Our tribe is Canada and we have few outlets to express this affiliation. We need to express our Canadian identity often – not at four-year Olympic intervals – and pro sport provides that, however indirectly.
Eric Rubin, Montreal
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Re Conservatives Stall National Anthem Bill From MP With Fatal Disease (online, May 6): I have boycotted certain lyrics of O Canada for years, choosing to hum my way through the lines "in all thy sons command" or remain silent for that portion.
As a child in rural Canada, the reference to "sons" made me fume in the same way the reference to "sons" on the doors of farmers' trucks made me fume. The "daughters" of Canada have been good enough to do more than their fair share of the work, but when it comes time for recognition they are left out.
O Canada's lyrics are by no means sacrosanct. The song was written in French in 1880 and subsequently written and rewritten in English time and again in an effort to conform to the melody.
A small change to make the anthem gender-neutral will make many people happy and hurt no one. If we followed the logic of the Conservatives who oppose the National Anthem Bill, women would still not be able to vote.
Kathryn Dunlop, Ottawa
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Come to Canada?
Re Dear Americans: Come to Canada (May 9): I'm not sure if this article was meant to be satirical, but I find it baffling that Irvin Studin sees the citizens of a country who could potentially elect Donald Trump as their president as desirable immigrants.
What "American civilization, American achievement, and American chutzpah" is there left to admire? Instead of fawning over Americans, why not invite foreigners who might actually appreciate liberal-democractic values and take care of them?
Luke Sabourin, Oakville, Ont.
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Gulp …
Re Air Rage And The Collapse Of Democracy (May 7): While reading Mark Kingwell's amusing article on class-driven air rage, I was reminded of my own initial feelings of inadequacy while walking through the first class section en route to my kidney-crushing, knee-bruising coach seat.
I banished those feelings with the thought that, if the plane crashed into an Andean hillside, we in coach would enjoy .034 seconds more time on the planet than those in first class.
John Sheard, Toronto