Letters, July 27, 2026: ‘Shelf-help solution to problem with Trump’

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Booze solution

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This alcohol ban of American products in a few provinces seems to be a real stickler with Trump. If Trump would like to see American booze on our shelves again we should accommodate him. Let’s play his game. Start announcing that we are putting American booze back on the shelves. Since the provinces just signed an interprovincial agreement to sell alcohol in other provinces, load up all the shelves with Canadian alcohol first and if there is any space left, which hopefully there isn’t much, we’ll give the rest of the space to American alcohol. This will appease Trump and will be greatly appreciated by our own Canadian producers. Let’s abolish all interprovincial trade barriers, so we don’t have to rely on American trade so much.

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MIKE SHAW

(Eliminating interprovincial trade barriers seems like a no-brainer)

About July 1st…

Reasons why I will never ever celebrate Canada Day again. Since 2015 when the idiot from Quebec was elected, and he stated he was a Quebecer first and a Canadian second; my opinion has changed. Singapore has a rule that all elected officials must be professionals: Lawyers, accountants, engineers, construction CEOs, etc. No snowboarders, no-one with an agenda. Just people who can logically look at the issues and collectively solve them without name-calling or party requirements. Unfortunately, that will never happen in Canada as there is not enough intelligence in any government organization in Ottawa to even address such an issue. When Alberta joined confederation in 1921, the province got four senate members, while Ontario and Quebec got six. There was no explanation for this except that Alberta had a smaller population. The Canadian constitution says nothing about population when appointing senators. It was just another attempt by Upper and Lower Canada to keep the West under their thumbs. Note that the premier of Quebec has removed his email address, and, like Mark Carney, he does not want to be confronted about confusing issues.

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KEITH STRONG, Lethbridge

(Think most everyone is going to have some sort of an agenda)

Cost of mining EVs

I really need to know why the auto industry refuses to call vehicles powered by rechargeable batteries BVs, instead of the misnomer EVs. Is it that they are trying to distract us from the stigma (a.k.a. carbon footprint) attached to mining materials and what is required to manufacture the batteries and/or the disposal of the batteries? I own all kinds of electric devices and all of them require they be connected to a live electrical circuit or they won’t function. I also own a number of devices powered by rechargeable batteries and none are referred to as being electric. And I really resent the gov’t forcing me to pony up money to help people buy these vehicles that they can’t afford to pay for on their own. I have lived my entire life within my means, which is what I have always been told is what a responsible person should always do, which is why I drive a Chev instead of a Cadillac.

PATRICK DRUMM, Courtice, Ont.

(The subsidies were never a good idea, but governments think it is sound policy. We have lost the concept of individual responsibility since big government intervenes in all aspects of life)

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Convoluted mess

As a senior with limited computer skills I had been trying to apply for the Alberta Energy Rebate since July 2. Every day I tried because the government kept telling us they had fixed the problems that had frustrated the citizens and caused some to give up. The portal they set up would let me go through every step until it came time to the direct deposit portion and it would then give me a bad error indication. I tried using the documentation portion instead and it gave me the same response. Recently I decided to use the phone number provided (which was a very long wait) and was eventually greeted by a wonderful lady who had the patience of Job. She spent well over half an hour guiding me through this so-called easy process until my application was finally approved. This was one of the most complicated and difficult programs the government has ever developed. Thirteen cents off per liter would have been far easier on my blood pressure.

GEORGE COLGAN

(We hope you’ve been able to breathe easier now)

Time for a charm offensive

When Donald Trump was first elected 47th President of the United States, I recommended Canada go on a ‘charm offensive’ and be the first country to invite President Trump to visit. I encouraged Canada to put together an Entertainment Gala to welcome Trump to Canada. I pointed out previous Prime Minister Brian Mulroney did this with President Ronald Reagan, and we even had both leaders on stage singing When Irish Eyes were Smiling together in Ottawa. After this event, Canada-U.S. Relations were never so strong or positive. Although my suggestion was widely covered in the media, there were only crickets from Official Ottawa. Instead, we adopted ‘Elbows Up’ and American insults as our national strategy. How is that working, Canada? In my over 70 years as a political observer, Canada’s relations with America have never been as bad as they are right now! My Mother always said; you catch more flies with sugar than you do with vinegar. It’s not too late to start rebuilding the relationship with America. Let’s invite Trump and his wife back to Canada to be honoured with an elegant dinner and Canadian Entertainment Gala. One suggestion, though: Make the invitation to have the dinner at the Fairmont Banff Springs in the majestic Rockies, as Alberta is the only province left in Canada that would give Trump a sincere warm welcome.

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CHRIS ROBERTSON, Stony Plain, Alta.

(‘Elbows up’ achieved its goal for the Liberals, which was to get them re-elected)

Nenshi’s apology

Apologized, to whom? His voting base? His fellow NDPers? His mom? The other politicians who posed with the Israeli ambassador? I quote, ‘Honesty is a very expensive gift. Don’t expect it from cheap people.’ I suppose ‘integrity’ could be added to ‘honesty.’

DOUGLAS CASSELL

(Don’t think Nenshi was quite expecting this reaction)

No respect

Respect for Nenshi has gone below zero – total disrespect for the Israeli ambassador.

ROBERT MCDOWELL

(That apology has not gone over very well from most corners)

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