Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces his resignation in Ottawa on Jan. 6, 2025.COLE BURSTON/The New York Times News Service
Not so fast
Re “Voters are unlikely to forgive the Liberals” (Jan. 10): Just how is it that the Liberals are making Canada vulnerable to Donald Trump?
The Prime Minister and his cabinet ministers are still in place. He is still fighting on behalf of Canada, being in Washington for Jimmy Carter’s funeral, conducting media scrums and appearing on U.S. television to make our case. Even if described as a lame-duck Prime Minister for the next three months, it gives him even more freedom to speak out.
Joe Biden is in the same situation, and look what he is accomplishing in his last days in office.
Gary Johnson Whitchurch-Stouffville, Ont.
I’m impressed by Dominic LeBlanc and Mélanie Joly deciding not to run for Liberal leader, in order to serve as best they can in a critical political moment.
This looks good on them and may improve Liberal fortunes more than anything a leadership candidate can say.
Ralph Martin Guelph, Ont.
Trading partners
Re “Ottawa targets raft of U.S. goods, including steel products and Florida orange juice, for tariffs” (Jan. 9): In 1986, Canada was hit by a 35-per-cent tariff on cedar shakes and shingles by then-president Ronald Reagan. It came out of the blue, in response to industry pressure from U.S. lumber manufacturers.
I was working in the Department of Finance and we were asked to come up with a list of retaliatory tariff measures. The measures the Mulroney government finally selected included import tariffs on books, Christmas trees and tea.
Upon implementing them, we received immediate blowback from Canadians who were negatively affected more than U.S. exporters. The measures were quietly rescinded after months of negative feedback to the government.
The lesson learned was that additional import duties levied in trade wars are largely borne by consumers, particularly when there is no other practical substitute available to them for their purchases.
Fraser Laschinger Prescott, Ont.
In the early 1970s, Canada considered diversifying trade relationships away from the United States.
The concern was that the U.S. had undue economic and cultural influence over Canada, which made our great nation vulnerable. The “Third Option” did not materialize and instead free-trade agreements with the U.S., and eventually Mexico, were established. Through these agreements, Canada has become even more reliant on the U.S.
Fast-forward to the present and Donald Trump is threatening significant trade tariffs. We should reconsider the Third Option. We should undertake various actions such as joining the European Union, restarting trade negotiations with Britain, creating a bilateral-trade agreement with Mexico and developing new trade opportunities with other Commonwealth nations and emerging economies in Africa and Asia. If successful, our trade relationships would be diversified.
The best way to insulate the Canadian economy from Donald Trump is to make Canada less reliant on the U.S. for trade.
Lance Alexander Toronto
Half-full
Re “As new immigrants face high unemployment, experts warn of taking ‘survival jobs’ " (Report on Business, Jan. 6): I am one of a group of retirees who developed and run a group mentoring program at a newcomer centre that has helped more than 200 skilled immigrants find jobs in their area. Success, though impressive, falls short of 100 per cent, so we are familiar with the trials and disappointments described here.
Reversing some figures may provide a more balanced and hopeful context that reflects our experience. For example, even immigration skeptics might be impressed that 90.8 per cent of newcomers are employed, compared to 95.9 per cent of Canadian-born citizens.
A 9.2-per-cent immigrant-unemployment rate, against 4.1 per cent for Canadian-born unemployment, suggests immigrants are less than half as successful. But a cost-benefit analysis would be more impressive, as Canada doesn’t pay immigrant education costs.
Our volunteer program effectively services newcomers at little cost and provides retirees with gratifying evidence of useful residue from years of organizational toil.
Chester Fedoruk Toronto
Heart of a champion
Re “Canadian tennis champ Gaby Dabrowski opens up about playing through breast cancer treatment” (Jan. 8): Kudos to Gaby Dabrowski for her strength and perseverance, both for her success on the tennis court and battling breast cancer at the same time.
After going through her treatments and ringing that bell, I do hope she did one more thing for women everywhere: Kick to the curb the doctor who “told her not to worry.”
There are too many young women lying in graves, whose doctors told them “you’re too young,” “it’s nothing” or “don’t worry.” A mammogram takes 15 minutes to save a life.
I wish Ms. Dabrowski a long life.
Helen Thibodeau Cobourg, Ont.
It must have been a challenging 2024 for Gaby Dabrowski – physically and emotionally. What most struck me about her story, however, was a doctor who inexplicably tells her “not to worry.” I am astounded and outraged that some doctors continue to minimize patient concerns.
Several years ago my sister-in-law, after months of persistent coughing and a spot on her lung, was told by her doctor that it was probably just a virus. A year later, the same doctor showed up at her home during Christmas to inform her that she had stage 4 lung cancer. She died 18 months later.
In a way, Ms. Dabrowski was lucky: The cancer had not metastasized and spread to her lymphatic system. Why is it that we have to constantly be our own advocates for our health and some family doctors continue to act as gatekeepers to additional care?
Anthony da Silva Toronto
Gaby Dabrowski has for years been one of Canada’s most accomplished and talented athletes. Yet as a doubles player (like Daniel Nestor before her), she has seldom received the public recognition and acclaim she so richly deserves.
Her struggle with cancer and subsequent mission to inspire others to fight it is typical of her character, determination and grace, all qualities that she shows every time she steps on a tennis court.
I am sure tennis fans across the country, and many others, will be saying, “Go, Gaby, and good luck!”
Peter Barrow Guelph, Ont.
Not so funny
Re “Read on” (Letters, Jan. 9): A letter writer wants to send a copy of the 1971 novel The Trudeau Papers to Donald Trump as an aid to his musings on using economic force against Canada.
I would politely ask him to also send along a copy of the 1995 movie Canadian Bacon, which imagines the United States using an invasion of Canada to distract its citizens from the real problems their government faced. Starring none less then John Candy and John Belushi, to name just a few.
Very amusing then. Not so much now.
Paula Cook Whitchurch-Stouffville, Ont.
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