Readers opine on David Johnston's appointment as special rapporteur, the latest IPCC report and more
Re: Why Former GG Is The Wrong Man For The Job, Carson Jerema; A Man Of Trust In A Post-Trust World, John Ivison, both, March 17; Johnston’s Affection For China Runs Deep, Terry Glavin, March 23.
Those who believe that the Trudeaus and the Johnstons operate at less than arm’s-length should know this: Pierre Trudeau never forgave David Johnston for cutting him off when he moderated the leaders’ debate between Joe Clark, Ed Broadbent and himself during the 1979 election campaign. Had he been alive when the current prime minister appointed Johnston to head the newfangled debates commission, he might well have given his son a stern talking-to.
Howard Greenfield, Montreal.
David Johnston’s decision to accept a shady assignment from his old pal Justin Trudeau to investigate their mutual ally, the Communist Party of China, erases the fine reputation he earned over his illustrious career. Sadly, the only reason I can think of is he needs the money.
Daniel McAlister, Toronto.
With the news on the upcoming inquiry process, I felt compelled to look-up the definition of “transparency” in the dictionary. Nowhere in that definition did I find the words “delay,” “narrowed scope,” “rapporteur,” “old family friend,” “hypocrisy,” “filibuster,” “confidence vote,” “suppression,” “serious constraints” or many of the other descriptive expressions used in the Post’s coverage. Either I, or the prime minster, needs a new dictionary.
John P.A. Budreski, Vancouver.
Protect the leader
Re: Liberal Delay Tactic Redux, Carson Jerema, March 22.
Questions put forth by the parliamentary committee to Katie Telford will undoubtedly result in a plethora of rhetorical claptrap from Telford. If necessary, Telford and company will ultimately take the blame to protect Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s buttocks.
Paul Kennedy, Cochrane, Alta.
Carson Jerema wrote: “Suggesting that asking questions about the prime minister’s ethics is akin to allegations of traitorous behaviour is unbecoming of a democratically elected government.”
The present prime minister has the unique distinction of having been found guilty of two major ethical violations, in the Aga Khan and SNC-Lavalin affairs. Inexplicably, he narrowly escaped a third reprimand for directing funds to WE Charity, which paid his family members and acted as cheerleader for the Liberal party. It is only good government hygiene to keep an eye on Trudeau, who shows a pattern of carelessness with ethics.
When will Liberal voters be embarrassed to vote for man who shows such little regard for ethics? They would never tolerate even a single such incident from a Conservative prime minister.
Laine Andrews, Toronto.
Wilful blindness
Re: Liberal MP In China Controversy Defends Record, March 23; Liberals Block Public Inquiry, March 24.
Now, with the latest news of Han Dong’s resignation from the Liberal caucus, the federal government’s continuing denials of Chinese election involvement have become reminiscent of the “Swedish-made penis enlarger” denial scene in the movie “Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery.”
John Budreski, Toronto.
There have been so many articles about Chinese interference in our democratic election process and our prime minister apparently not being aware of it. But we are probably expecting too much from someone who can’t remember staying in an expensive hotel room with a butler in England.
Nancy Hird, Whitby, Ont.
Food for thought
Re: ‘Our Profit Doesn’t Go To Me,’ Jake Edmiston, March 10.
Instead of grilling Loblaws president Galen Weston about rising food costs, Ottawa should look at taking less of the money we earn so that we can afford groceries in the first place.
Lorena Maggiacomo, Toronto.
Stay out
Re: U.S. Pushing Canada To Lead Planned Haitian Relief Force, March 22.
This article said that U.S. President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau “will discuss a way forward in Haiti.” I believe that the way forward should not include sending Canadian military and police personnel to the country.
There is absolutely no reason for Canadian government to commit our men and women to risk their lives in Haiti, a country that has no modicum of government and is in the peak of anarchy. Haven’t we learn any lesson from our past experiences in Haiti? For those itching to do something militarily in Haiti, I suggest they employ Russia’s Wagner mercenaries.
Muri B. Abdurrahman, Thornhill, Ont.
Trump was right
Re: Biden Is A Terrible Friend, Michael Higgins, March 23.
Michael Higgins reminds us that former U.S. president Donald Trump left Canada after his first (and only) visit, accusing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as Higgins describes it, of being “weak, dishonest and making false statements.” Despite what many people think of Trump, this seems like a pretty tight analysis to me.
Walter Tedman, Kingston, Ont.
Crisis or hysteria?
Re: Trudeau, Climate Hypocrite, John Robson, March 22; Eco-Dread A Luxury Belief, Brendan O’Neill, March 23.
Brendan O’Neill’s review of the hysteria over humanity’s march towards climate disaster makes two powerful points: one, science does not justify such thinking; and two, it is the global elite, including our own hypocrite-in-chief, Justin Trudeau, who are leading this crusade.
While there is little question that each of us should be doing what we can to keep our planet as free of pollution as possible, we must be able to afford to do so. It is incumbent on our leadership to ensure that we have the required energy from oil, gas other sources to provide ever-growing populations with the means to affordable food, transportation, health care and a high standard of living. These articles help us understand that it is not the elite, but the rest of us, who will be victims of this untimely and dangerous climate crusade.
Ron Hoffman, Toronto.
John Robson’s column is priceless. He is right on every count. I especially love his last paragraph, where he called our prime minister an “ethically challenged nitwit.” Trudeau’s carbon footprint is huge but he chastises us instead.
Sybil Fretz, Pickering, Ont.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change delivered a “final warning” on the climate crisis. The science is definitive: climate change is already underway and must be abruptly stopped to ensure a livable future for our children and communities.
As a psychiatrist, I see how the climate crisis is already having a profound impact on the mental health and well-being of Canadians. As a mother, I can’t help but wonder what my child’s future will look like living in a world that is likely to pass 1.5 C of warming in this decade. This threshold is widely recognized as the “tipping point” for climate chaos.
I urge my fellow citizens and my political representatives to commit to a healthier and more prosperous future by taking strong action against further fossil-fuel emissions. Canada can be a global leader in capping emissions from the oil and gas sector, an industry that has stubbornly refused to decrease emissions despite this dire situation. Renewable energy will provide security, reliability and affordability. Renewable energy provides the healthy future I envision for my patients and children.
Sarah Levitt, Toronto.
In the 1970s, Exxon scientists researched how burning oil and other fossil fuels increases atmospheric carbon dioxide. They postulated that there is a positive causal correlation between an increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide and global temperatures. The correlation they postulated has been confirmed repeatedly. Those who assert that there is no correlation, or that the correlation is not causal, should present evidence for that assertion.
Reiner Jaakson, Oakville, Ont.
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Carson Jerema: Trudeau 'family friend' David Johnston not the man to restore election confidence
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Colby Cosh: Perhaps Canadians experienced David Johnston differently
