Letters to the editor, January 19: ‘Donald Trump hates Chrystia Freeland. She has my vote’

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Top two

Regarding “Chrystia Freeland announces her run for the Liberal leadership” (January 18): Donald Trump has seen both Justin Trudeau and Chrystia Freeland working in Canada’s service. He just seems to despise Mr. Trudeau; he loathes Mrs. Freeland.

She has my vote.

John Masters Vancouver

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Regarding “Carney hit the ground running, but his first day didn’t dazzle” (January 17): I was surprised to read negative reviews of Mark Carney announcing his run for the Liberal leadership.

Personally, I was impressed. He was honest, direct and had a sense of humor.

I think he is the most qualified to guide our economy through the next four years with Donald Trump, either as Prime Minister or Treasury Secretary. Maybe his command of French isn’t perfect, but in these dangerous times it shouldn’t be a priority.

I hope that regardless of who is elected as leader, the NDP will refrain from supporting a Conservative vote of no confidence. It wouldn’t look good on them. That would be a gift to Pierre Poilievre, who I believe is the least qualified to lead the country at this time.

There would be an autumn election anyway. All parties should work together in this time of national crisis.

Stephanie Greer Victoria

A French?

Re “To avoid decimation, the Liberals likely need a leader from Quebec” (Opinion, January 11): While it is a distinct advantage for a party leader to be bilingual, it is not a requirement, nor should it be be.

Invoking such a policy would limit our ability as a country to choose the best person for a role, be it a Cabinet Minister or Prime Minister, who is monolingual in either English or French. In this era, with so many international bodies, there is ample evidence of the effectiveness of instant translation. Even in France, English is spoken quite freely.

In these turbulent times, I want someone with a clear vision for Canada and the ability to put together a competent and intelligent team. It can be conveyed in both languages ​​with the help of translators.

John Martin Victoria

Canadian way

Re “Thank you Trump, for reminding Canadians why our country is worth fighting for” and “Jean Chrétien: Canadians will never give up the best country in the world to join the US” (January 11): Hooray for columnist Marcus Gee, and indeed Jean Chrétien.

I shouted joyful obscenities at the end of Mr. Gee’s column. Canada’s present and future is so bright, and yet so mired in guilt and external muck.

We should learn to rejoice again in our basic home-grown values ​​and to forgive, not just excuse and torment ourselves. We have so much to be proud of. Even Sir John A. Macdonald gets some credit.

Med Canadians – mostly politicians – should learn from these articles. Like Steely Dan, I sizzle like an isotope!

Pete Avis Kingston

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I believe that Canada has not had a serious government since the end of the Chrétien-Martin years.

Yes, by the time Paul Martin became Prime Minister, the Liberals had mostly played out. But at least I counted talented people in the cabinet with experience and gravitas. Pierre Pettigrew, John Manley, Sheila Copps, all serious about political debate and focused on results.

Perhaps the Left’s third-place start in 2015 had something to do with it, but capable people seemed to avoid joining their ranks. Or, as we saw with Dr. Jane Philpott and Bill Morneau et al., they end up walking away.

My hope now, with Pierre Poilievre poised to become prime minister, is that a few adults will join the conservative ranks, attracted as they may be by the high probability of becoming a minister, to moderate his more baser instincts.

Something tells me I will be disappointed.

David Roy Toronto

No need

Re “Doug Ford says ‘stay tuned’ when asked about early election” (January 17): Doug Ford calling an early election in Ontario would be behavior that is crass, opportunistic and disingenuous. I see no need for a new mandate in the event of Trump tariffs.

I think he is looking to prevent negative backlash from the Greenbelt report along with countless other financially questionable uses of public funds. Effective governance that promotes the socio-economic interests of citizens does not require a new mandate, especially at this fraught moment when federal leadership is compromised by the Prime Minister delaying his departure.

During the next year plus, Mr. Ford stands firm in advancing economic policies in solidarity with Canadian interests, rather than wasting time and public funds simply extending his premiership for partisan reasons.

If Mr. Ford calls for an early election, my hope is that the result will be election campaign for his party.

Monte McMurchy Toronto

Big ideas

Regarding “Galileo Galilei dies at 77″ (Moment in Time, January 8): The Galileo affair was more complicated than the moral fable of a persecuted science hero that is commonly told.

Galileo was far from the first to argue against Aristotle’s theory of falling objects (scholars debated it throughout antiquity and the Middle Ages). Nor did he find “proof of Copernicus in the heavens”. He looked unsuccessfully for stellar parallax.

Rather, he argued, among other arguments, that the Copernican system was mathematically and physically simpler than the Ptolemaic or Tychonic. His conflict with the Catholic Church involved many factors, including a soured friendship.

It’s a common problem with telling the story of ideas: the story is complicated, and what made someone innovative (or face resistance) often can’t be explained in a few words.

Gavin Keachie Port Hope, Ont.

Speak out

Re “The world would be a better place if we talked to strangers” (Opinion, Jan 11): This is such an important idea, vital to civil society and our well-being.

Strangers can often be easier to talk to than family as they are not in it for the long haul. That’s fine.

In my work, I create a concrete “question of the day” based on the theme of the service. When was the last time you experienced awe? What brings you joy? What do you do for fun?

These questions are asked among people sitting close to each other. Some love it, others not so much.

I am amazed at how the energy in the room rises and how the conversation continues after the service. Bridges are built for a time, and that’s enough.

I believe that everyone should be seen and heard when we gather. I also believe that the conversation should be taken out into the world.

John Pentland pastor, Hillhurst United Church; Calgary

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Letters to the editor should be exclusive to The Globe and Mail. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. Keep letters to 150 words or less. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. To send a letter by email, click here: [email protected]