Letters: Flag burning ignites contempt for Trudeau government

Readers weigh in on the burning of our flag, an economist's proposal to hike home taxes, the legacy of Robert Fulford, and more in letters to the editor

Published Oct 20, 2024  •  Last updated 7 minutes ago  •  10 minute read

Anti-Israel protesters burn a Canadian flag outside the Vancouver Art Gallery on Oct. 7, 2024, while chanting "death to Canada." Photo by Jarryd Jaeger / X.com

‘Take action to bring Canadians together’

Re: Trudeau fiddles as Canadian flags burn — Michael Higgins, Oct. 9; and First, they came for the Jews. Now, they’re coming for the Canadian flag — Avi Benlolo, Oct. 11

Justin Trudeau and the Liberals are relentless in telling Canadians that diversity is one of Canada’s strengths. When protesters gather on the steps of the Vancouver Art Gallery and chant “Death to Canada,” it is pretty clear that “diversity is our strength” is a slogan at best and pure disinformation at worst.

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Trudeau should stop his silly sloganeering and take action to bring Canadians together in support of our country. Unfortunately, he and his government use race, gender, language, culture and geography to create division for crass political purposes while Canada, as a country, suffers as a result.

Paul Clarry, Aurora, Ont.

I’m wondering if Avi Benlolo could clarify who he was referring to when he declared: “You were silent. You refused to speak.” Was he speaking about the majority of mainstream Canadians who have been just as horrified and dismayed as the Jewish community by the antics of belligerent, noisy, destructive and hateful mobs? Or is he blaming the members of the federal and provincial governments who have no moral backbone to quash these despicable displays of intolerance?

If the populace is blamed for standing by helplessly, I would counter that we have collectively been sidelined by the political classes who refuse to let us go to the polls to oust this corrupt and incompetent Parliament. The politicians of all stripes are willing to maintain the abysmal status quo at all costs in order to save their jobs and their fat pensions. This mob activity happening on our streets everywhere should be sufficient reason to bring about the downfall of this government.

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Glynis Van Steen, Burlington, Ont.

‘One of Canada’s preeminent reliable cultural narrators’

Re: Robert Fulford, renowned journalist and longtime National Post columnist, dead at 92 — Joseph Brean, Oct. 15

Robert Fulford had a unique voice and profound insights that shaped Canadian cultural discourse for decades.

Despite his status as a cultural luminary, Fulford maintained a sense of humility rooted in his Canadian identity. This perspective allowed him to approach global events and personalities with a distinctly Canadian lens, resonating with readers across the country. His writing cultivated a uniquely Canadian point of view on life, arts and culture that managed to be both locally grounded and universally relevant.

Fulford’s journey as a self-educated public intellectual who became one of Canada’s preeminent reliable cultural narrators to his readers serves as an inspiration to many. His ability to bring gravitas and well-informed cultural context to contemporary events, while maintaining a keen interest in the ever-evolving landscape of human expression, made him a unique and valuable voice in Canadian journalism.

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As we reflect on Fulford’s legacy, we are reminded of the power of storytelling and the importance of engaged, thoughtful cultural criticism. His work continues to influence how we understand the role of narrative in shaping our collective identity and how we interpret the world around us.

Thanks Bob for your fine storytelling. It certainly helped me to get to know who I am in the world.

Tony D’Andrea, Toronto

Homeowners already overtaxed

Re: To level the investment playing-field, tax housing more — Jerome Hass, Oct. 4; and The taxman is coming for our homes — Lawrence Solomon, Oct. 1

Why is it that economists such as Jerome Hass, formerly employed by the Ontario Ministry of Finance, can only see more taxation as the solution to the nation’s financial woes? Thankfully, we have columnists such as Lawrence Solomon to point out the slow drip of taxation that is already being imposed upon homeowners.

It is an incredibly naïve economic theorist who could propose that increased taxation as a solution to an economic problem of their own making. At the very least it should be observed that the vast increase in the cost of housing was generated by increased demand from two primary sources, one of which was massive immigration into urban housing markets that could not supply the number of people seeking home ownership. In addition, government charges are estimated to constitute as much as 20 per cent of the cost of housing. On top of these obvious factors, the onerous level of personal taxation has convinced investors to put their money into housing investments that are guaranteed to make a profit over time.

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Perhaps a broadening of the economic models guiding our government planners might include the calculation that adding to the tax burden is of benefit only to those who rely on government employment for their living.

Raymond Foote, Ottawa

The ‘elephant’ in the Mideast background

Re: We have strayed from freedom of expression into terrain where rape and murder are lionized — John Ivison, Oct. 7

John Ivison is correct in observing that the “settler colonial” narrative is “an ill-fit” for the current Israel/Palestine situation. However, he is dead wrong when he calls it “a clash of two national movements.” Ivison has overlooked the elephant in the background: Iran. Without Iran’s jihad-motivated mullahs and its ongoing financial support for terroristic Islamist organizations (Hamas, Hezbollah, etc.), this so-called nationalistic “clash” would likely have ended years ago, in much the same way that Israel has come to an accord with other former terrorism-boosting enemies, including Saudi Arabia.

Mindy G. Alter, Toronto

A ‘disastrous legacy of poverty’

Re: A 65-year-old woman got scurvy in Toronto. Yes, scurvy — Laura Brehaut, Oct. 7

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If tent cities popping up in communities across Canada were not enough to illustrate the disastrous legacy of poverty of Justin Trudeau’s government, the Canadian Medical Association Journal is warning doctors to be on the lookout for rising cases of scurvy due to food insecurity.

In the next election, Canadians need to punish the Liberal party, and the NDP party that keeps Trudeau in power, for bringing Canada to its knees.

Chris Robertson, Stony Plain, Alta.

Reach out to Jewish Canadians

Re: The lessons we should have learned from October 7 — Collin May, Oct. 6

I am an observant yarmulke-wearing Jewish family physician who has practiced in Newmarket, Ont., for about 30 years. I closed my practice in December 2023 and have continued solely as a GP psychotherapist. Almost all of my patients have been non-Jewish.

I just came home from an extremely painful commemoration of the October 7 massacre. In looking back over the unendingly traumatic past year, I cannot recall even one of my non-Jewish patients expressing condolences or support for what was the worst Jewish massacre since the Holocaust. In fact, the only non-Jewish individual who did express support was a completely unforgettable man who was temporarily picking up lab samples from my office as the regular lab employee was on vacation. It is impossible to express how touched I was by his heartfelt gesture.

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I have had an excellent relationship with my patients, and although I don’t feel resentment for their lack of expressed support, it does sadden me.

In this painful and sensitive time of my people, I would implore any National Post readers who have Jewish friends, acquaintances, or colleagues to reach out with a kind word, or an expression of support or solidarity. We are all hurting and it would mean a lot. Thank you.

Peter Dukesz, Thornhill, Ont.

Giller Prize nonsense

Re: Giller Prize drowned in anti-Israel nonsense — Christopher Dummitt, Oct. 8

A number of Canadian authors do not like the fact that the sponsor of the Giller Prize, Scotiabank, is a shareholder in the Israeli-based arms manufacturer Elbit Systems. The Giller Prize was founded by a Jewish Canadian and the present executive director is his daughter. I wonder — could it be that the moral indignation of these authors really has nothing to do with the sale of arms? Could it be, in fact, that what they find to be morally repugnant is that the Giller is funded by a Jewish-run foundation?

I certainly hope these self-righteous authors take out a full-page advertisement sharing their sorry point of view, and listing all of their names. This way, we Canadians who love literature and who have no problem with the Giller Prize being founded by a Jewish philanthropist can be sure to not purchase or promote a single book written by any of them. Certainly they would want their books removed from any Jewish-owned bookstores.

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I further expect that if any among this group has been a Giller Prize recipient, they will be returning that money to the foundation.

Phyllis Levin, Toronto

Kudos to Jason Kenney

Re: Trudeau has ‘catastrophically mismanaged’ immigration: Jason Kenney — Terry Newman, Oct. 10

Kudos to Jason Kenney for laying bare the truth about Justin Trudeau’s disastrous mass immigration program. Ignoring Canada’s health-care and affordable housing crises, Trudeau is adding close to 500,000 immigrants annually. This not only exacerbates those serious problems, but has added massively to Canada’s carbon footprint, and placed much more stress on already overcrowded school classrooms and the social welfare net.

Trudeau has used immigration for his own political purposes, not for what is best for Canadians and the economy. On top of that, he virtually threw out the welcome map to all asylum seekers, attracting tens of thousands of newcomers who must be supported by taxpayers. That instance of virtue signalling has proven extremely costly.

Larry Comeau, Ottawa

‘Re-educating’ Jordan Peterson

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Re: Alas, no re-educator to be found — Jordan Peterson, Oct. 11

Jordan Peterson’s robust and brilliantly logical defence in his battle with the Ontario College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts should serve as a warning to other professional regulatory bodies to stay in their lane and not overreach into transitory feel-good norms that have little to do with the profession (which result in the persecution of members and the profession itself). He has given swords to all of those governed by professional bodies. He is Order of Canada worthy.

John P.A. Budreski, Whistler

After reading Dr. Peterson’s missive regarding his supposed “re-education,“ I, too, have been wondering who would be stupid enough to take on that herculean task.

To allow anonymous complainants to hound an individual just because their feelings were hurt is unconscionable, but in the Canada we live in today, we appear so consumed with people’s feelings that all common sense is thrown out of the window.

If Jordan Peterson had committed a grievous mistake professionally then yes, a review by his association would be warranted. But to go after him for stating his own opinions on social media — which I might add many people agree with — is absurd and downright vengeful.

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Ted Mead, Winchester, Ont.

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Increase in Old Age Security benefits needed

Re: Canadians should understand the costs of expanding Old Age Security — Jake Fuss and Grady Munro, Oct. 15

Because a proposed increase in Old Age Security benefits could also benefit a handful of higher-income Canadians it’s a bad idea, according to economists Jake Fuss and Grady Munro at the Fraser Institute.

Of course all government programs cost money and can increase debt-servicing costs but is that reason enough to perpetuate a cycle of poverty amongst seniors that is only getting worse with the relentless rise in the cost of living? OAS payments — even with the Guaranteed Income Supplement — are pitifully out of date, particularly for those who don’t have access to a privately funded pension plan.

I would like to hear what the Fraser Institute would propose to help lower-income seniors, or does it consider that the poor are solely responsible for their own plight and must fend for themselves, and even continue working in their later life?

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If I’m not mistaken that’s how things were in Canada a century or so ago.

Charles Leduc, Vancouver

The Prime Minister and the farmer

Re: Canada’s in a standoff between the prime minister and the people — Kelly McParland, Oct. 13

For months the media have been full of speculation whether Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will resign, get the boot, call an early election, knuckle under to the Bloc Québécois’ threats etc. Trudeau has steadfastly stated that he will lead the Liberals in the election next fall.

He has learned from the old farmer who, having displeased his king, was under a sentence of death. The farmer pled his case by promising that in one year he would teach the king’s horse to talk.

His wife berated him for being such a fool. The farmer replied, “A year is a long time. The king may die. I may die. The horse may die. Or the horse may learn to talk.”

The PM is right. A year is a long time.

Marcis Esmits, Calgary

National Post and Financial Post welcome letters to the editor (200 words or fewer). Please include your name, address and daytime phone number. Email [email protected]. Letters may be edited for length or clarity.

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