Opinion | Pierre Poilievre’s big limitation is he’s only interested in himself

There should be exclamation marks after this title as it fully explains the man’s failures. In this article the 8th paragraph states it perfectly — ” … this year’s visit was especially significant, as Poilievre needed to demonstrate real enthusiasm after losing both an election and his seat in Carleton.”

It further states that Poilievre is not willing to concede his own limitations or make adjustments to his style, priorities or rhetoric.

In summary, he is only interested in himself which shows his big limitations. The Conservative party is offering no other alternatives which proves their own limitations. Canada needs a government that gets positive input from all parties and a leader to lead Canada forward. 

Chris Andrews, Vaughan

While we need natural resources projects, we should not just sell the environment to today’s highest bidder

First Nations launch legal challenge against Ontario, federal bills 5 and C-5, July 16

The Ontario First Nations have a very good case against large-scale resource extraction projects on their territory. All that’s needed is to look at the track record of the industry. Depleted sites are usually left unmediated, wildlife disturbed, pollution in the air and water and Indigenous rights trampled on. I don’t see how this could possibly be constitutional. The usual path around the Indigenous rights is act now, ask for permission later.

Capitalism by definition involves the exploitation of opportunity. But problems inevitably arise due to misplaced priorities. There is a consistent lack of responsibility for harm to the environment. For evidence just look at the typical state of the land after oil and gas industry, mining and processing of minerals and other natural resources extraction have depleted the resource. It sure isn’t pristine anymore.

I understand the argument in favour of natural resources projects; jobs, income, fees and taxes for government. A capitalist society by definition is based on financial profit. Competition and conflicts are built into the model by design. Precedent gives a green-light projects. Yet we should be grateful to our indigenous peoples for resistance to our compulsion of putting profits before nature. Society should not sell the environment to today’s highest bidder. After all, we are all just visitors here on this wonderful planet.

Jay Butler, Etobicoke

Kudos to First Nations

A large thank you to the First Nations for insisting that Prime Minister Mark Carney’s plan to build more infrastructure follows the rules for consultation and ecological sustainability. This Trumpian crisis must not be an excuse to diminish democracy.

Geoff Johnson, Hamilton

More proof the economy is not working for most of us

Re: ”GTA’s ultra-luxury housing market sees whopping 200% sales increase,” July 17

It is no surprise that this headline about the GTA’s ultra-luxury housing market rising 200 per cent is right beside your headline “Canada’s income gap hits record: StatsCan.” It’s yet another reminder that the rich in Canada are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer.

Joanne Clarke and Ibor Briones, Toronto

Greening Toronto would benefit us all

How about greening up Toronto with a mandate to plant more trees and gardens? Why not utilize every space available with food bearing gardens? It could be a mandate to create a city of food producing gardens. Toronto could become world-renowned for such an initiative. The city could work with the University of Guelph. Food banks could be supported with fresh produce. Solar panels could be utilized in the process for powering irrigation in some areas. In this new era of sustainable agriculture, this is not a far-fetched idea. Gardening could be taught in our schools. Just imagine what the results could be.

Hugh Urquhart, Toronto

Canada should prohibit the export of any energy products to the U.S. 

Canada should increase taxes on everything America needs, July 15

I agree with Eileen Irwin. We should immediately prohibit the export of any energy products to the U.S. including hydro from Quebec and Ontario and oil and gas from Alberta. Now Prime Minister Mark Carney will have a tough time with Quebec and Alberta as they do not see themselves as Canadian, but he should try to get them onside. At least it might get Trump’s attention. It’s worth a shot.

Richard Holloway, Oakville

Carney, please don’t turn to Ford for advice

Bonded by crisis: Inside the alliance between Mark Carney and Doug Ford, July 11

This article states that Prime Minister Mark Carney is apparently a fan and confidant of Doug Ford’s. Perhaps Carney doesn’t know that this premier, once a great admirer of Donald Trump, is under investigation by the RCMP for dodgy dealings, like when his pals the developers happened to buy land in convenient places. Is the prime minister aware Ford has slashed budgets for public education and health care, starved universities and colleges, and is encouraging private clinics? That he’s ramming an Austrian spa and parking behemoth into the public land of Ontario Place, has shuttered the Ontario Science Centre for spurious reasons, wants to tear out bike lanes and spend billions on a tunnel under Highway 401?

Many progressives in Canada had high hopes for Carney, the calm, sensible grown-up in the room. We understand he’s a new politician dealing with the lunatic-in-chief to the south and many national and international crises. But please, prime minister, do not turn for advice to a folksy shyster like Ford, who, yes, sounds great defending Canada, but most of whose policies are a disaster for the city of Toronto and the province of Ontario.

Beth Kaplan, Toronto

City needs solutions to its problems not mere criticism

Protest at city hall takes aim at bike lanes, bus lanes, shelters — and is met with counterprotest, July 15

May I suggest to Anthony Furey and his supporters, who protested at city hall against homeless shelters, affordable housing, zoning changes etc., to visit San Francisco and take a look at what happens when you don’t address these issues on time? This minority should not have any influence on city’s decision. We need quick solutions to solve these issues, not right wing politicization.

Astrid Budd, Toronto

Where is the self-awareness?

The day after wildfire smoke made it dangerous to breathe outdoors, groups advocating against giving people safe options for getting around without private cars participated in a rally outside city hall. Then again, self-awareness is maybe a big ask of people who claim to want rational decision-making but are willing to share a stage with Anthony Furey.

Dafydd Hughes, Toronto