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Policing jihadis
Confiscating the passports of would-be jihadis intent on leaving Canada for the killing zone seems eminently logical ... on its face (The Montreal 10, And What Comes Next – editorial, May 22). However, killing and mayhem, not foreign travel, constitutes their mission statement.
If Canada's liberal imperative continues to prevail, proof of jihadi training in Canada won't be enough evidence to lock up those who constitute the threat.
It makes more sense to facilitate their departure to the homeland of those who teach them, and cancel their passports after they leave town as a backhanded sort of deportation.
Warren Adamson, Mississauga
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Seizing the passports of would-be jihadis at airports does not solve anything. They will remain in Canada, without passports but likely with increased dedication to their cause.
And incarceration without proof of threat to Canada, simply because the person wants to go to Syria or someplace else, is not an option.
If they are of legal age and have broken no law, they should be allowed to choose when and where to travel, and what to believe in – so long as they pose no threat to Canada.
But if self-acknowledged jihadis declare that they are travelling against the express travel constraints of our government, then they should be told that while they can leave, they will never be allowed to return.
T.A. Bryk, Toronto
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Péladeau's empire
There is an obvious imperative to ensuring that Parti Québécois Leader Pierre Karl Péladeau cannot be an influential politician and manage or influence Quebec's largest media empire at the same time (Citizen Péladeau – editorial, May 21).
A blind trust makes sense. However, it is reasonable that he be able to set the condition that the trust not be permitted to sell his stake in that empire.
Scenarios in which he could exercise inappropriate influence over Vidéotron are easy to imagine. Legally enforcing the blind trust or imposing sanctions should he violate the rules would be manageable tasks.
But in what scenario is it useful, desirable or relevant to grant a third party the right to sell his holdings?
Darryl Squires, Ottawa
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Pierre Karl Péladeau, who inherited a lucrative business started by his late father that has made him one of the richest men in Canada, now wishes to destroy the prosperous, stable, wonderful country whose existence allowed that wealth to be created.
Meanwhile, former prime minister Brian Mulroney oversees Mr. Péladeau's business interests as chairman of Quebecor Inc., leaving the PQ Leader free to plot the demise of Canada. Shame on them both.
Frank A. Johnson, Winnipeg
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Could be golden
Re Tories Forgo Two Major Debates – May 22: The Conservative boycott of debates sponsored by the major television networks offers the other party leaders a golden opportunity to demonstrate how reasonable they can be in the absence of Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
If Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau can curb his tendency to condescend to the NDP, and if NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair can check his attack-dog tendencies, and if Green Party Leader Elizabeth May can maintain her calm disposition, voters might be treated to a genuinely constructive debate.
Ken Dewar, Halifax
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Too big, too bad
Re Barclays, RBS Seen Facing $11-billion More In Misconduct Costs – online, May 21: When it comes to the collusion of world banks to manipulate the currency market, bringing in effectively billions in stolen money, I am reminded of a line from Bertolt Brecht's Threepenny Opera: "What is robbing of a bank compared with founding a bank?"
Too big to fail. Too big to go to jail.
Peter Davis, Vancouver
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An arresting app
Suzie Scott should consider contacting the Law Union of Ontario to have the brochure she wrote years ago ("Am I Under Arrest?") turned into an app for mobile devices (Arresting Question – letters, May 21).
Surely there are app producers who would do it pro bono; it could be downloadable for free, and would spread like wildfire, especially among young people who always have their smartphones with them.
Let's get the information out there where it is needed, for those who may need it.
Glen Tolhurst, Guelph, Ont.
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Play the field
Re Argos Sold To BCE, Tanenbaum – Sports, May 21: The Greater Toronto Area, a wealthy metropolis with a population of six million, should have three privately built, state-of-the-art stadiums, each dedicated to one major sport.
Instead we have the Rogers Centre (the worst stadium in baseball) and an excellent soccer stadium, the BMO Field, which will now be sacrificed to football. Not world class.
Tim Jeffery, Toronto
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Khadr's team
Re Khadr Legal Team Puts Opposing Styles On Full Display – May 20: Lawyers Dennis Edney and Nathan Whitling have worked pro bono to try to achieve some measure of protection of Omar Khadr's human and constitutional rights.
In addition to lost income, they have borne steep out-of-pocket expenses to do so. Why has this burden fallen solely on the shoulders of two principled and caring Canadians? We all owe them a huge debt, as they are saving Canada's face internationally on this matter.
Colleen Pellatt, Ottawa
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Cold comfort
So Premier Kathleen Wynne feels that there would be adequate oversight in a privatized hydro distribution system for Ontario, but that there apparently would not be adequate oversight in a privatized beer and wine distribution system (Wynne Responds To Hydro One Criticism: There Will Be Oversight, She Says – online, May 19).
Ontarians should feel reassured that there will be a smaller chance of freezing in the dark than in the anarchy resulting from an adult being able to nip out for an extra bottle of wine or a 12-pack of beer when visitors drop in on a warm summer evening.
Dave McClurg, Calgary