In a compelling collection of public correspondence published on December 5, 2025, readers of Postmedia News voiced sharp critiques and deep concerns about Canada's direction, leadership, and its ability to execute ambitious national projects. The letters, which range from geopolitical anxieties to domestic policy satire, paint a picture of a citizenry frustrated by perceived inaction and performative politics.
A Call for Readiness in a Dangerous World
One letter, authored by Bill Vernon, strikes a sobering tone on international affairs. Vernon argues that while global threats escalate—from Russia's nuclear posturing to the ambitions of China—the civilized world has failed to mount an adequate response. He calls for Canada and its allies to stand "at the ready, fully armed" to defend democratic society against a spectrum of dangers, including radical ideologies and criminal enterprises. His stark metaphor concludes the warning: "a snake may shed its skin, but it remains a snake."
Vernon's contribution is succinctly summarized by an editorial note, highlighting the core issue he sees: "(There are near insurmountable problems we have with little to no leadership or moral clarity to tackle these issues)."
Satire and Skepticism Aimed at Ottawa
Another letter takes aim at the federal Liberal government's penchant for rebranding. Mark David Fienberg of Toronto comments wryly on the expansion of Minister Julie Dabrusin's title to include "Nature" alongside Environment and Climate Change. Noting that nature encompasses "the entire material world... that exist independently of human creation," Fienberg sarcastically wishes the minister "Good luck and God speed" on this "performative" and seemingly impossible task.
The editorial note attached leaves little room for interpretation, bluntly stating: "(It’s a BS title)."
The 'Cantada' Critique: A Nation Struggling to Build
The most historically grounded critique comes from Mike Priaro of Calgary. He draws a striking comparison between ancient Roman engineering prowess and modern Canada's project delays. Priaro notes that Rome, from a city the size of modern-day Winnipeg, built a vast network of roads, aqueducts, and forts spanning an empire comparable in air distance to Canada from Vancouver to Halifax.
He then poses a pivotal question to his fellow Canadians: Are they "capable and up to the challenge" of creating critical infrastructure, like a national energy corridor, that would boost prosperity, reduce emissions, and secure independence for generations? Or, he provocatively asks, should the country simply rename itself "Cantada" in light of its chronic inability to act?
The editorial note supporting Priaro's letter echoes his frustration, citing "The delays, the whining, the lack of vision [that] have all stunted Canada’s ability to create and build projects worthy of growing our economy."
Together, these letters from December 2025 serve as a raw snapshot of Canadian public sentiment, revealing anxieties about security, skepticism of political theatrics, and a profound impatience with the nation's stalled ambition on the defining infrastructure projects of the age.
