In a series of letters published on January 19, 2026, readers of a Canadian newspaper voiced strong opinions on pressing national issues, from foreign policy with China to the grim realities of contemporary conflict. The correspondences offer a snapshot of public sentiment at the time.
Security Fears Over China Agreements Dominate Discourse
A significant portion of the feedback focused on Canada's relationship with China, expressing deep-seated security concerns. One letter from Farouk Mohammed of Ajax, Ontario, directly criticized former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney for engaging in memorandums of understanding with the communist state.
The writer pointed to past incidents as evidence of China's unreliability, including the detention of the Two Michaels, problematic PPE shipments during the pandemic, and questions surrounding the COVID-19 virus's origins. The letter argues that China's continued construction of coal-fired power plants contradicts its stated clean energy goals, casting doubt on the sincerity of its partnerships.
"China is not and will never be in its current communist state a viable reliable trading partner that honours its commitments," the letter states, recalling Canada's earlier decision to exclude Huawei from its 5G network on security grounds.
The Human Toll of Advanced Warfare
Another poignant letter shifted focus to the ethical and human cost of technological advancement in military conflict. Peter J. Middlemore Sr. of Windsor lamented the evolution of weaponry from simple spears to today's guided drones, supersonic missiles, and stealth bombers.
The correspondence describes a cycle where technological progress leads to more efficient "killing machines," resulting in the wholesale loss of innocent life, often without the victims' awareness. The writer notes a perceived silence from religious leaders on this issue of endless, technologically-enabled destruction.
Trade Retaliation and a Pattern of Behavior
A third letter, from Brad Derhoven of Belleville, highlighted a specific pattern in China's international trade conduct. The writer cited Canada's imposition of tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, which was met with immediate retaliatory actions targeting Canadian canola and seafood exports.
This move, according to the letter, exemplifies how Beijing operates when it does not get its way, reinforcing the view of China as an untrustworthy partner whose fundamental approach is unlikely to change. The collective tone of the letters underscores a significant vein of public skepticism and caution regarding Canada's diplomatic and economic engagements on the world stage in early 2026.
