Question Period: Be warned
Preston Manning's opinion about somehow bringing back a level of civility and credibility to Question Period is spot on ( It's Time For A Fresh Start - July 2). Whether it can be accomplished is another matter. When Canadians and visitors see the clips from the House's daily proceedings and the antics of our elected officials, we are left with the impression this unruly lot accomplishes little else than hurling insults, seeking a moment in the limelight, looking to score a direct hit. This is grandstanding to its max.
Of course, the media don't help as they look for the most sensational, controversial and embarrassing moments that will catch the most attention. This overlooks the good things that come out of our Parliament from hard-working MPs who are, by the way, the same clowns we just saw cavorting in the House.
Imagine the impression on youngsters, many of whom might make a great MP, or even PM, but will give that career second thoughts. If we can't achieve what Mr. Manning suggests, maybe it's time to at least post a warning: The following program contains violence and coarse language. Viewer discretion is advised.
Gary Fabian, Mount Royal, Que.
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Preston Manning tries to appear visionary by quoting Ecclesiastes, "There is a time for everything." While some of his remedies to improve decorum during Question Period are fine, his time frame is small and his vision narrow. He mentions "economic recovery" but not the environment, forgetting that the economy is a wholly owned subsidiary of the environment.
Surely it's time for a greater vision, one that includes aboriginals, farmers, fishermen, other species and future Canadians (yes, Albertans too; the tar sands project wouldn't go ahead if their needs were considered.)
More than interparty co-operation is needed to make democracy work, given the seriousness of the eco-crisis, which was never anticipated by our Constitution or other laws. We need to recognize responsibilities for the environment, not merely rights to use resources.
Lynn McDonald, former MP and NDP environment critic, Toronto
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Canadians have no reason to believe that, under Stephen Harper, they should expect anything other than a continuing diet of corrosive partisanship, regardless of efforts to make nice during Question Period.
Warranting public policy in scripture is generally a dangerous practice. But perhaps Mr. Manning has a point in turning to Ecclesiastes for guidance, a book that offers the following helpful reminder with respect to partisanship: "that which is crooked cannot be made straight."
Andy Bowman, Ottawa
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Few debates on bills attract more than a smattering of ministers, the Prime Minister rarely attends.
In contrast, their attendance for Question Period is mandatory (proposed absences must be cleared with the PMO). The thrust of questions isn't known in advance, which encourages ministers to be on top of their files. This is the only time the executive is truly accountable to the legislature for their management of government business.
If we really wanted to improve Question Period, we should extend it from the current 45 minutes (which allows a total of seven sets of questions distributed among the three opposition parties) to 90 minutes. This would double the questions that could be asked of ministers.
A longer Question Period might temper the need to rely on histrionics to make a point and would reduce the ability of ministers to stonewall. If they can only rely on insults or nonsense, voters will have plenty of opportunity to judge them at election time. Remember, one person's hysterical tirade may be another person's passionate critique. On this latter question, we should let the voter decide rather than tinker with an essential and unique feature of our democratic system.
Chris Baker, Fredericton
Open doors to the displaced
With a relatively small population and a resource-rich land, Canada could play host to many of the young internally displaced persons (IDPs) of Pakistan ( Exodus Of Refugees Crowds Into Strangers' Homes - July 2). It would be a great humanitarian gesture, of which Canada could rightfully feel proud.
Jalaluddin S. Hussain, Brossard, Que.
T.O. strike's many costs
I lived in Toronto from 1972 until 2004, when I moved to Arizona (City Workers Strike - July 2). Here I pay $21.50 a month to a private company for twice-weekly garbage pickup. They even supplied me with a new 360-litre trash container. The driver arrives by 6.30 a.m. in an automated truck, which picks up our can and deposits the contents in the vehicle. One person, no fuss, no mess.
In five years, there hasn't been a strike. Since there's lots of competition, there won't be one. This essential service should not be in the government domain where unions hold the public to ransom. Municipalities should stop providing this service and let private enterprise compete, ensuring maximum efficiency at lowest cost.
Peter I. Volny, Fountain Hills, Ariz.
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I have a son, whirling in this world, caught between autism and presence. His presence burns pain, his autism maintains its hold. On the path I am forced to walk, where every rest point is about his therapy and intervention, and every turn is about finding the money, I have found relief in the city camps. First, he did plays, then tennis. Activities that gently pulled him into a warm, beautiful, happy and worthwhile place.
The camps provided my son, because of his autism, with one-to-one aid, at no extra cost. The countdown began: "Mummy, four more days until camp"; he was so excited, so happy. Today? He rides his bike around a schoolyard track again and again and again. Hours of time spent alone. And I, who used to intervene non-stop, feel reprieve in this as it's a break from being twisted inside and out from his behaviours.
It is our children who are our grounding device in life, who remind us of what is truly important. Yet, here we are in a city where our children are being intentionally hurt.
Sarah Campbell, Toronto
Canada at 142
On July 1, one Globe headline proclaimed We're Inferior No More ; in the same edition, an article in the Report on Business, Canada's Innovation Gap , told how poorly we're doing in terms of investment in R&D. Similarly, recent articles noted we lag behind other Arctic countries in our investment in the North. If there's no change in just these two areas, we will be very inferior indeed.
Thomas M. Daly, Toronto
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The Globe's editorial on July 1, 1867, was headlined " Confederation Day ." That's a more inspiring name for the day than the bloodless, government-issue "Canada Day." Could we start a movement to go back to the future?
Garth Goddard, Toronto
America at almost 233
I was pleasantly astounded by the huge compliment - "There is, you might say, a Canadian in the White House" - that Lawrence Martin gave President Barack Obama. For Americans who admire Canada and also support our President, this is high praise indeed ( A Reason To Celebrate The Fourth Of July - July 2).
To those who say America remains racked with massive problems, I say: Superpowers are not built in a day and the enormous woes of superpowers are not fixed in a day. It's probably time to exercise another commendable trait also quite often ascribed to Canadians - patience.
Mary Stanik, Minneapolis
Educating the fallen's kids
Four Canadian universities are participating in a program that offers scholarships to children of parents killed in active Canadian military missions ( Lifting Up The Children Of Canada's Fallen Soldiers - July 1).
What is special about dying in the military while serving your country? People in many professions make the ultimate sacrifice while performing that service: construction labourers, fishermen, firemen and so on. It may be politically incorrect to say so, but I see no reason to especially honour those who serve their country wearing uniforms and carrying guns.
If any young people are burdened in obtaining their education because of the loss of a parent, let's help them according to their need, not according to who their parents were.
Bill Longstaff, Calgary
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Why is a scholarship fund necessary when the government already provides up to four years of subsidized undergraduate education to qualifying applicants through the Children of Deceased Veterans Education Assistance Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-28? Surely, a former chief of defence staff should know about this benefit available to the children of all Canadian Forces members who died during military service.
The spouses and children of soldiers disabled while serving on military operations and peacekeeping, on the other hand, must draw upon their own bank accounts to attend a postsecondary institution. This disadvantaged group would seem a far more worthy cause for donors and generous universities.
Chris Madsen, Department of Defence Studies, Royal Military College of Canada and Canadian Forces College, Toronto
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Mid-life, any day now
I was surprised to learn in a recent poll that old age begins at 68 ( Old Age Starts At 68, Unless You're 68, Poll Finds - July 1). As I approach my 81st birthday, my concerns are how to avoid a mid-life crisis and adding 10 pounds to my bench press.
Carl Zalev, Windsor, Ont.
Web-exclusive letter: The (future) King's man
The same characteristics Jeffrey Simpson ascribes to Governor-General Michaëlle Jean can just as easily be attributed to prince Charles: bilingual, multicultural, worldly, modern etc. ( Why Canadians Owe Great Thanks To Michaëlle Jean - July 1).
The Prince of Wales is (and has been for some time) ahead of the world when it comes to the environment, organic farming, architecture etc. He has raised millions of dollars for worthwhile charities, many of which he founded, and has been a true leader in helping to reconcile a world of different religions and cultures.
Charles very much reflects the ideals of today's Canada, perhaps more than anyone else.
Mr. Simpson's fascination with and praise for Canada's governors-general past and present boggles the mind. He says we're lucky to have had them. As representatives of the Crown, they are all creatures of the monarchical system of government. With no monarchy, we would have no Michaëlle Jean. Instead, we would be stuck with a politician as president. How un-Canadian.
Robert Finch, Hamilton, Ont.