In Saturday's letters, readers respond to recent columns and issues, including Brady Tkachuk's situation in Ottawa, Ontario's speed limits and health care, and the proposed high-speed rail project.
Brady Tkachuk and anti-American sentiment
David McIntyre from Mineville, N.S., responds to Brian Lilley's June 22 column about Brady Tkachuk being pushed out of Ottawa due to anti-American sentiment. McIntyre writes, "If he bleeds red, white and blue he will be much happier living south of the border and Canadian hockey fans will see less of his dirty play and hear less of his whining. He is just another American bully." McIntyre adds that while he disagrees with booing any national anthem, there is a reason for anti-American sentiment in Canada. The editor's note counters that Tkachuk's preference for the U.S. reflects more on Canada than on him.
Ontario speed limits and health care
Louis Desjardins from Belleville comments on Gordon Anderson's June 25 column "Ontario at full speed." Desjardins questions the increased speed limits, banned speed enforcement cameras, and a health-care system built for a 20th-century province. He asks, "Doug Ford et ilk spend tons of our money telling us how they protect Ontario. But what about Ontarians?" The editor's note recalls promises to end hallway medicine.
High-speed rail as make-work project
Robert Green from Don Mills labels the high-speed rail project a "make-work" project that will provide sales to suppliers and work for skilled trades but will be financed with borrowed money and never be profitable. He asks, "If it were profitable, then why is there no private investment coming forward?" Green urges focus on exporting oil, LNG, and minerals to generate real wealth instead of borrowing for make-work projects, calling Mark Carney "Justin Trudeau 2.0 – another economic disaster." The editor's note predicts cost overruns and delays that the Liberals will downplay.
