Bragging rights
In December, your front-page headline proclaimed: 'National Emergency' As Canadians Fall Out Of Global Top 10 In Math. John Manley, CEO of the Council of Chief Executives, was referring to Canada's fall from 9th to 13th out of 65 countries on the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) rankings in math.
Weeks of media lament about our "devastating" decline followed. Yet, on Wednesday, you relegated the impressive new PISA results to an inside page (Canadian Teens Ace OECD Test).
Canada outperformed all Western countries in problem-solving and ranked third overall out of 45 countries (excluding Asian city data). Ontario, Alberta and B.C. did even better, provinces where the outcry over our decline in rankings in math has forced curriculum changes.
Canada's achievement gap between the rich and poor, and immigrant groups is the narrowest of any country (on every measure of educational achievement, on every international test). A staggering achievement! It is a primary goal of our public educational system to not only raise the achievement of all students, but to narrow the gap between the advantaged and less advantaged.
After all the "Chicken Little" stories emanating from Mr. Manley's cry of a "national emergency," the latest PISA news should have been cause for a front-page, national celebration.
Jerry Diakiw, former superintendent of schools, York Region Board of Education; instructor, Faculty of Education, York University
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Climate, wealth
Re Report Details Threat To People (March 31): The release of the latest IPCC report on the potential threats of climate change underscores that there cannot be a long-term, healthy economy without a healthy environment.
Our pursuit of ever harder to extract fossil fuels is damaging the environment. Why is the federal government subsidizing this industry, one of the most profitable on Earth, to the tune of $1.5-billion a year? Why is it charging such low royalty rates (about one-fifth what Norway charges) on extracted oil and gas?
Ten years ago, Canada was looked up to as a leader in environmental legislation. Under the Harper government, we have the dubious distinction of being ranked by the Washington-based Center for Global Development as dead last among 27 wealthy nations in environmental policy. Governments are supposed to look after the needs of citizens, not the needs of large corporations. Yet, more and more, that is what our government is doing at the expense of our health and the environment.
Norm Funnell, Radium, B.C.
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More than any G7 leader, Stephen Harper has questioned the science behind climate change, and vigorously opposed domestic and international efforts to decarbonize the global economy.
The same high oil prices that have helped substantial swathes of the Canadian economy have been the lifeblood of oil-fuelled authoritarianism in Russia and elsewhere. In a world less reliant on oil and gas, Vladimir Putin's Russia wouldn't have been so able to pursue neo-czarist fantasies in Ukraine or anywhere else.
At the G7 leaders' summit in Brussels in June, Mr. Harper will talk tough and preen for (domestic) cameras. But he might just be the best ally Mr. Putin has there.
Trineesh Biswas, Geneva, Switzerland
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What goes around
Re Ex-Chief Of Staff Giorno Steered Soudas Probe (April 2): It appears Conservatives do not enjoy being at the receiving end of their own political machinations. Quelle surprise!
Barbara M. Buckley, Qualicum Beach, B.C.
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Jobs wanted
Re Work Together, Study The Results (editorial, April 2): If the Conservatives tallied up the money they spent on advertising the Canada Jobs Grant when it didn't exist and applied it directly to the then federal-provincial program, job hunters and possible employers would have been better served. As it stands, the government has wasted millions advertising a program that didn't deliver jobs and forcing provinces to its will. There are no guarantees the "new" program will demonstrate more job creation across all sectors of society than the old.
Deborah McLean, Napanee, Ont.
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Health Canada, pot
Re Wary Doctors Pressed Into Prescribing Medical Pot (March 24): Health Canada's role under the previous marijuana medical access program was administrative. It consisted mostly of verifying that forms were fully completed.
Under the new regime, the fundamental role of health-care practitioners is the same. Determining if dried marijuana for medical purposes is appropriate for an individual is best done through a discussion with the patient's health-care practitioner.
Health Canada shares the concerns expressed by health-care professionals that marijuana isn't an approved drug or medicine in Canada and has not gone through the necessary rigorous scientific trials for efficacy or safety.
Health Canada is working with medical and nursing licensing bodies, along with licensed producers, to increase the information shared among them regarding how doctors and nurse practitioners are authorizing marijuana and in what quantities.
Robert Ianiro, director-general, Controlled Substances and Tobacco Directorate, Health Canada
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Milk, bread, booze
I strongly disagree that "The LCBO should be wound down and private industry allowed to take its place" (Alcohol For Sale – letters, April 2 ). With what? Private industry with "McJobs," no benefits, no living wage and no union? Prices won't go down and a selected few "shareholders" will benefit to the tune of millions.
The LCBO is doing the right thing by "boutiquing" its product.
Blair Boudreau, Toronto
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Putting LCBO outlets in "large" food stores shafts the mom-and-pop operations. It's not fair.
Danny Matenko, Toronto
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Less far afield?
Re Tour Of Duty: NAC Orchestra Deploys To Mark Great War (April 2): Considering that more than 60,000 Canadians died in the First World War, shouldn't the National Arts Centre orchestra be honouring them by touring Canada, with free tickets for the descendants of those who gave their lives?
Rod Yellon, Winnipeg
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Second on the left
I can't believe I had my picture in The Globe: the 1961 photo of Vancouver Trans-Canada Air Lines stewardesses, where I am second on the left (Ten Things You Didn't Know About Air Canada – Travel, March 29). My favourite flight was always the North Star: 60 passengers and one flight attendant, box lunches and plenty of tea, coffee and lemonade. We were all on a first-name basis by the time we arrived at our destination.
Susan Pawlett, Vancouver