Calgary Sun Letters to the Editor, June 8: ‘Stop complaining, Pierre’

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Not a team player

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Most people are familiar with the saying, ‘A leopard can not change its spots.’ It is an adage used to state an individual cannot modify their personality or habits. There are numerous ways to make that point by referring to something or someone who is innately unchangeable. Pierre Poilievre, the current leader of the Conservative Party, can be used as an example. For years Canadians have been subjected to the constant negative ‘attack-dog’ criticisms of Poilievre. If he’s not whining about Prime Minister Carney taking the time to build bridges with global business and political leaders, Poilievre is blaming Carney for Canada’s recent slip into a ‘technical’ recession, which has been brought about by that unprincipled mentally-unstable egotist in the White House. Poilievre glosses over the fact countless countries are also dealing with a similar financial crisis. By comparing Carney’s and Poilievre’s resumes and their accomplishments, it’s easy to decide who is better qualified to hold down the job of prime minister. There is no place in the locker-room for a disingenuous carping critic intent on undermining the captain of Team Canada when the stakes are so high.

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LLOYD ATKINS, Vernon, B.C.

(Poilievre is leader of the opposition. It’s his job to hold government to account)

Stay gone, Steven

Outgoing Liberal MP and climate activist Steven Guilbeault has announced he might return to federal politics under a different prime minister. He’s a bit overconfident, and would do well to remember the old saying that pride goes before a fall.

JOANNE and WAYNE MORCOM

(He might want to return, but would the voters want him back?)

Need action

On Monday, PM Mark Carney did what he does best when he gave an impassioned speech about the dangerously high levels of anti-semitism happening all across our country these days. However, as per usual, there was an evident lack of real substance in all that he said. The only proposed action by his federal government was to create a committee to review, report on, and recommend response to acts of hatred against Jewish communities and the Jewish people. And how long will it take before any parliamentary discussion occurs that may result in real action? Weeks or months? Carney is a great orator, but is truly wanting in the ‘accomplishing something’ department. Carney should be directing law enforcement to enforce the current laws, without hesitation, and the judiciary to level the harshest penalties for all acts of anti-semitism. There should be no tolerance for protests where participants are shouting/chanting anti-Israel slogans, bringing banners/flags or signage supporting terrorist regimes, wearing anything that covers their face in whole or in part (as a means of hiding their identity). Such protests should be stopped and broken up, as soon as they begin, with all such agitators arrested and charged. Bail should not be automatic, and should be denied to repeat offenders. As for any claims of protest against Zionism and Israel, and not against Jewish citizens of Canada, there is no logical and reasonable argument for distinction between the state and the people. Jew-hatred cannot be allowed to hide behind words that are intended to deflect and obscure the true intent, which is anti-semitism. Carney failed.

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KEN PELLAND

(The government is falling short on this issue)

Canadian comparison

(Re: ‘Still suffering from Trudeau’s policies,’ Editorial, May 29): As a child I grew up with the stories of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Today as an adult, I take objection to our present government telling us how well we are doing compared to the other G7 countries. I really don’t care if a country (let’s call it the Sleepy dwarf) isn’t performing as well as Canada. I want to know how Canada is compared to Canada 15 years ago. Then the Canadian dollar was stronger than the U.S., we had money to comfortably buy our own groceries and pay the rent as well. Can the prime minister compare us to 2011 or will he hide among the Seven Dwarfs?

JOE MATTHEWS, Simcoe, Ont.

(The simple truth is comparatively, Canada is not doing better. Increased government spending has done little other than secure Liberal seats)

Talk is cheap

It is time to vote for policy, not popularity. Popularity is based on words. Policy is based on action. Words are quickly forgotten. Actions are not. What we need are economic actions. Ideological words can follow those solutions, not determine them.

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GEORGE EWERT

(Absolutely, pay attention to what people do, not necessarily what they say they’re going to do)

… and do what?

The National Post’s Stephanie Taylor interviewed Preston Manning. Taylor asked Manning about Alberta secession. Manning said: ‘The question with respect to remain is: remain and do what?’ If Alberta remains, does that mean Alberta accepts the status quo? Premier Smith’s constitutional questions on this fall’s referendum will be dead on arrival even with a majority of Albertans who vote in favour of amending the constitution. To amend the Canadian Constitution is a difficult task, if not nearly impossible. It takes 7 of 10 provinces with 50% of the population to agree to amend the constitution. Central and eastern Canada like the status quo, it benefits them and they are not going to cut their own throats to satisfy Alberta. Preston Manning’s observation is spot on, remain and do what? (On Monday), the premier said it would cost Albertans ($400 billion) to secede from Canada. It would be a drop of water in the ocean to unshackle the Liberal Party’s chains.

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JEFFREY ANDERSON

(The status quo isn’t an option, but the premier seems to believe there is hope on the horizon)

Why we don’t hate Canada

I grew up in Ontario, happy; despite being poor and had a few real good friends. However, after moving West, I gradually learned why many Westerners hated Canada. I never ever agreed with the idea. What I do is despise the Liberal, West-hating governments that have been and are still being elected in Canada. I don’t hate the Liberal voter but I do feel sorry for their diminished mental capacity that hasn’t the capacity to look at facts and understand them. Also the fact that once Upper and Lower Canada have voted, the west may as well use their ballots for toilet paper. Anger, to me; is something that can be controlled. I am not very good at doing that no matter how hard I try.

KEITH STRONG

(Yep, sounds like there may be a little anger in there)

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