A dismal showing
Paul Calandra is the Prime Minister's parliamentary secretary. As an MP, let alone in his other capacity, Mr. Calandra's behaviour toward the Leader of the Official Opposition was disgraceful.
Apologizing to Thomas Mulcair and the House isn't good enough (Conservative MP Makes Tearful Apology To NDP Leader – Sept. 26). Mr. Calandra can't seem to get his head around the fact that his flippant non-answers were an affront to all Canadians.
Parliament, its offices and institutions, are bigger than the politicians who pass through them, all temporary players. It is the institution that lives on, that binds us to those who came before us and those who will come after us.
Mr. Calandra disrespected Parliament itself. He does not deserve to be there.
Lori Eastman, Edmonton
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I teach an undergraduate course that, among other things, deals with the structure and function of government. Where a sense of the role of government did not already exist in students' lives, I have tried to instil it. While some have reported an awakening to the importance of government – and good governance – many remain skeptical.
In the face of allegations of breach of trust on the part of those we trust to govern (Duffy Expenses Trial Slated For Spring 2015 – Sept. 24); issues of conflict of interest by the mayor of Toronto (Results Of Conflict Investigation Of Fords Won't Be Public Before Election – Sept. 19); questionable impartiality (Speaker Derails MP's Bid To Protect Transgender People In Hate-Crime Law – Sept. 23); and most recently, blatant disregard for the principle of accountability during Question Period, how can one blame them?
If we want to improve the "dismal showing" of voter turnout we had better address the "dismal showing" of those we elect.
Lillian Bayne, adjunct professor, School of Public Health and Social Policy, University of Victoria
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Obfuscation in Question Period is nothing new. Two masters of the game were Liberals Herb Gray and John Nunziata. They may not have invented the technique but they refined it to an art form. Isn't the whole point of Question Period to embarrass the government while the government, as expected, gives an irrelevant answer?
Tom Chambers, North Bay, Ont.
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Meanings of 'sorry'
Re Chief Apologizes To Slain Teen's Family (Sept. 26): The word "sorry" has two distinct uses. One can apologize with it. This use implies an admission of wrongdoing and regret. Or one can express sorrow or sympathy with it. This use does not imply wrongdoing. People who told me how sorry they were at my father's funeral were not "apologizing" and neither was the police chief of Ferguson, Mo. (though perhaps he should).
There seems to be a general cultural loss of this important distinction, and with it a loss of the status of admissions of guilt. I am truly sorry about that.
David Checkland, Toronto
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Words and deeds
Re Canada's Foreign-Policy Deeds Fail To Match Its Words (Sept. 26): I am puzzled by Jeffrey Simpson's criticism of "the gap between Canadian words and deeds" on questions of foreign policy. Is he suggesting it is wrong for Canada's PM to forcefully denounce Russia's aggression in Ukraine, or the actions of Islamic State unless we are willing to provide more concrete aid in these conflicts?
Perhaps Mr. Simpson would be happier if Stephen Harper were more willing to bite his tongue and avert his eyes, but like many Canadians, I'm proud we have a leader who speaks with clarity and conviction when addressing serious international events.
Jonathan Skrimshire, Pincher Creek, Alta.
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Mr. Harper's speech
Prime Minister Stephen Harper devoted a large portion of his speech at the UN to Canada's efforts to improve maternal and child health and was applauded twice. Yet The Globe and Mail devoted only one sentence and a caption under a picture to the subject, and that was in an article with the headline Vote Would Precede Combat Role (Sept. 26).
The media spare no effort to constantly criticize the PM, but then ignore his very fine UN speech on such an important subject. This doesn't say much for balanced news coverage.
Richard Ballenthin, Durham/West Grey, Ont.
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Disappointed in T.O.
I am deeply disappointed that John Tory will decide on a "case-by-case basis" whether to attend any Toronto mayoral debates "that don't exclusively feature the three main contenders" (Tory To Focus On Debates Including Ford – Sept. 26).
Mr. Tory argues that Doug Ford's absence gives Mr. Ford an advantage because debate preparation diverts time and resources from other campaign priorities. What can possibly be more important than presenting oneself to the constituents you are seeking to represent?
Mr. Tory's decision and its arrogance have severely shaken my confidence in his interest in listening to the people of Toronto.
Aaron Caplan, Toronto
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Canada, clean energy
Re Ottawa Drops The Ball On Clean Energy, Report Finds (Report on Busines, Sept. 22): Canada has one of the cleanest electricity mixes in the world, with 64.5 per cent generated from renewable sources – the highest in the G7.
It also has the highest share of renewable energy sources in its overall energy supply of any G7 country (18.3 per cent).
In 2013 Canada had the second-fastest-growing clean-energy market in the G20, with a 45-per-cent increase in investment to $6.5-billion. Canada ranked second behind Japan in per-capita investment in renewable energy in 2013, ahead of the U.S., U.K. and Germany.
Since 2006, the Government of Canada has invested more than $10-billion in green infrastructure, energy efficiency, clean energy technologies and the production of cleaner energy and fuels.
Greg Rickford, Minister of Natural Resources
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All about age
Letter writer David Lee chooses two highly contrasting comparative historical figures in challenging the many critics who describe Justin Trudeau as too "young" or "inexperienced" or who use "similar age-based slights" (All About Leaders – Sept. 26).
John F. Kennedy was a decorated Second World War hero with some 13 years experience in Congress and the Senate before becoming president at age 43. One suspects that even Justin Trudeau would blush at any direct comparison.
Mr. Trudeau may actually chuckle while reflecting on the highly flattering reference to Jesus's age – around 33 – when he gave the Sermon on the Mount.
After all, Justin Trudeau wouldn't be the first one in his family who seemed to believe he could "walk on water."
Jeffrey Peckitt, Oakville, Ont.