Letters: The EU is not the answer to Canada’s needs

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After reading Geoff Russ’s article on the rise of Marine Le Pen in France amid a collapsing political and economic environment in the European Union, one cannot fail to question Prime Minister Mark Carney’s desire to establish closer relations with that unified state.

While increasing non-U.S.A. trade is a desirable outcome of any attempt to reverse our economic decline, it would appear this decision fails to function as more than another dubious effort to jump-start our export economy. A similar effort was undertaken several decades ago under Pierre Trudeau’s “Third Option” strategy with the European community. That effort failed miserably.

Columnist Jesse Kline keeps you up to date with what’s happening in Israel and the effects of antisemitism on life here in Canada. Friday mornings.

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It is unlikely much has changed in the European economy in the intervening years except even more economic decline with its many internal barriers to global trade. Furthermore, the EU tilt toward antisemitism against Israel has manifested itself in a boycott of Israel exports. And Canada has joined that parade of malice to our ongoing shame, even refusing to provide the requisite level of support to our own Jewish population.

Without a functioning Parliament it appears Canada has drifted toward a downward slope in both our participatory democracy as well as having entered a decade of accelerating decline in economic self-sufficiency with no end in sight.

Raymond Foote, Ottawa

In June, Christine Fréchette, Quebec’s premier, told voters that she intended to strike a “different tone” with anglophones after years of acrimony. Her government’s subsequent refusal to let Élections Québec continue mailing voting information in both French and English was a slap in the face to anglophones; especially unilingual seniors. (Anglophones must use a QR code to link to English instructions on the Élections Québec website.)

In an interview on The Elias Makos Show on CJAD 800 on June 15, Fréchette insisted that her government “cares a lot about the English-speaking community.” Yet the only TLC on display here is Targeted Language Care — because nothing says “I care” like directing that care away from the people who actually need it.

Earlier this month, Fréchette praised her government for “respecting” anglophone rights by keeping ballots bilingual. But what good is a bilingual ballot if voters don’t know when or where to vote?

The biblical story of the Tower of Babel offers a striking parallel. Humanity once shared a single language, and that linguistic uniformity became a tool of ideological control. Speech was used to enforce conformity. God’s response was to break the linguistic monopoly — to introduce diversity as a safeguard against authoritarianism. That makes Quebec’s latest policy quite the achievement: it took the Tower of Babel thousands of bricks to confuse people; this government managed it with one QR code!

Rabbi Mordecai Bulua, Montreal

​​​​The perspective isn’t “maturity” — it is dangerous, historical amnesia wrapped in sentimental nostalgia.

To suggest that Canada’s economic bruising is purely a “Trump problem” completely ignores decades of reality. Both Democrats and Republicans have consistently waged economic warfare against Canadian industries. Whether it is the decades-long “Buy American” policies, the endless softwood lumber disputes, or the tearing up of trade agreements, Washington’s priority has always been America First, regardless of who sits in the Oval Office.

Relying on the memory of 9/11 and shared geography is an emotional distraction from a hard truth: the United States treats Canada as a convenient resource pool, not an equal economic partner.

While some preach “balance” and wait for a friendlier face in Washington, Canada is getting pummelled economically. Passivity masked as diplomacy isn’t a strategy — it is a recipe for continued exploitation. We cannot afford to romanticize a relationship that our “neighbour” treats as purely transactional. It is time to stop waiting for Washington to change and start aggressively decoupling our economic future from an inherently protectionist empire.

William Perry, Victoria, B.C.

U.S. President Donald Trump says that if Canadian aircraft manufacturer Bombardier wants to sell planes in the United States, it must build the planes in the States. Not surprisingly, he isn’t aware that Bombardier already directly employs over 3,500 people at a number of sites in several American states. Additionally, its aircraft are built with American-made components such as engines, avionics and many more key systems provided by American companies. Trump needs to brush up on his homework, if he ever does any.

Alexander Ross, North York, Ont.

A hearty thanks to Terence Corcoran for his timely history of the Apple iPhone as it enters a new era. I would like to add one more first. Steve Jobs required the iPhone soon after its introduction to be fully operational by a blind person. With the flick of a finger engaging “VoiceOver,” we have full access to all of the phone’s functions. Since then, hundreds of applications specifically designed for blind persons have become available. With one phone call for example, I was connected to a trained agent who, through their computer’s screen using my iPhone’s camera, guided me through a busy retail store. We are informed while standing on a street corner when there are no cars in sight. In short, technology has closed the information gap for blind persons, an insurmountable chasm only a few decades ago.

Jim Sanders, Guelph, Ont., Executive Director, The Sir Arthur Pearson Association Of War Blinded, Past President and CEO, Canadian National Institute For The Blind

Re: Questions loom over Trump’s promised US$5K ‘dividend’ — Aoife Walsh and Victoria Craw, Sept. 11

I cannot understand why people are tearing their clothes and gnashing their teeth over Donald Trump’s buying of votes by promising a US$5,000 dividend to every American adult if Republicans retain control of Congress in November’s midterm elections.

Our Liberal government has engaged in this very practice for decades by promising to spend on this and that program or “investment” if only we voters would elect them.

Sure, the American president is more brazen about it but I, for one, appreciate the honesty.

Tim Harkema, Calgary

Apparently Prime Minister Carney’s trade war with the United States is not enough of a challenge for him. He has now decided to add Israel to his adversaries. In spite of the fine-sounding rationale mouthed by Carney and his wing-person, Anita Anand, it is hard to see how this is anything but political posturing for personal gain: Carney to curry favour with EU, and Anand to stay in Carney’s good books, as well as securing votes from the substantial Israel-hating mob that has mustered political capital in this country.

Carney and Anand have chosen not to address the impact of the boycott on the local Palestinian population. It has been estimated that as many as 25,000 Palestinians are employed in businesses that will be negatively affected by the boycott, and earning twice as much as they would in businesses not owned by Israelis. It is a reasonable assumption that these Palestinians will lose their jobs and their income if the boycott takes hold. That alone should make it clear that the boycott of “settlement goods” has nothing to do with bettering the lives of the Palestinians, and everything to do with punishing and bullying Jews for daring to choose where they want to live in their ancestral homeland.

The endgame as before, is the destruction of the Jews and their one refuge in the world, the tiny state of Israel. Mark Carney and Anita Anand need to be sent a firm message: it is time to stop bartering Jewish security, Jewish lives, and the only Jewish state in exchange for cheap votes and admission to the EU. A show of honour and integrity would be a welcome and refreshing change. But I’m not holding my breath.

E. Joan O’Callaghan, Toronto

The 9/11 Commemorative Service in Gander was done in the most honourable and Canadian way.

It culminated with former prime minister Jean Chrétien’s unifying speech, in which he ended with the most impactful message to the American administration, including U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra, who was on the dais. “… we bow to no one …” Chrétien said. “… and the more we are insulted or threatened and abused, the more we will stand up for ourselves and stand united.”

Chrétien said what every other federal politician in Canada has been afraid to say.

It is unfortunate that current Prime Minister Mark Carney missed this milestone tribute to the fallen Canadians of 9/11 and to our fellow Canadians who were there to help others in need.

Kevin Kattas, Toronto

Regarding Chris Selley’s column on U.S. eggs appearing in Canadian stores, Burnbrae Farms would like to add additional context concerning trade obligations and localized demand spikes.

As a Canadian and family-owned agribusiness, Burnbrae Farms strongly supports Canada’s supply-management system, essential for domestic food security and protecting farmers. Under the WTO and CUSMA trade agreements, Canada has committed to allowing a set volume of egg imports into the market. Adhering to this supports Canadian trade negotiators during complex international negotiations.

There are times when local demand outpaces domestic supply, particularly during holidays or major retail promotions, such as the recent one in Quebec. When surges occur, we may need to draw upon our trade allowance of USDA-approved eggs so local store shelves remain stocked for Canadian families.

When we bring in U.S. eggs, we ensure cartons comply with CFIA rules clearly labelling the country of origin.

Burnbrae Farms is deeply dedicated to Canadian agriculture while fulfilling trade obligations to keep food accessible.

Margaret Hudson, President and CEO, Burnbrae Farms

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