In the latest batch of letters published on January 20, 2026, readers of the Toronto Sun shared sharp opinions on topics ranging from international strategy and political satire to local governance in Toronto. The correspondence offers a snapshot of the national conversation, highlighting concerns over Canada's foreign policy direction and domestic leadership.
Strategic Patience: A Warning on China Relations
A letter from Doug Appt of Niagara Falls, Ont., tackles the ongoing debate about forging closer economic and security ties with China. Appt urges caution, pointing to a fundamental difference in political timelines between North America and Asia. He argues that while the leadership culture in the United States is subject to change every few years, the governing structure in China is designed for long-term continuity. This disparity, he implies, means China strategically plays a "long game" in international relations, a point the editors succinctly endorsed in their parenthetical reply.
Geopolitical Humour and Local Discontent
The letters also provided moments of levity and pointed local criticism. Jay Kinnear from Burlington indulged in a whimsical scenario involving Denmark selling Greenland to a NATO ally like the United Kingdom, purely to imagine the reaction of a former U.S. president. The editors acknowledged the potential for a "big chuckle" from such a diplomatic curveball.
Closer to home, the performance of Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow came under fire. A letter from J. Dougherty in Toronto criticizes the mayor's renewed focus on affordability ahead of the election year, calling it a transparent bid for votes. Dougherty recalls Chow's previous campaign rhetoric about making the city more affordable "by asking people to pay a little more," and challenges her to clarify who exactly benefits and who bears the cost. The editorial response bluntly states, "She has failed over and again."
Praise for Cartoonists and Barbs for Carney
Amidst serious commentary, Bill Sholdice of Mississauga offered praise for the newspaper's editorial cartoonists, crediting them for providing much-needed laughter and a sense of shared perspective during grim global times. The editors agreed, noting they "nail it each time."
Finally, a letter signed S. Marsh took aim at former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney, comparing his international travels at public expense to those of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The writer sarcastically notes that the only discernible difference is that Carney's suitcase isn't filled with costumes, concluding grimly that "we are in trouble if that remains the only difference."
This collection of letters underscores the diverse and engaged readership across Ontario, from Niagara Falls to Mississauga, who are keenly watching the intersections of global strategy, federal figures, and municipal politics.
