Letters to the Editor should be exclusive to The Globe and Mail. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. Try to keep letters to fewer than 150 words. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. To submit a letter by e-mail, click here: letters@globeandmail.com
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No reason to apologize
The Globe and Mail chides our government for standing up for Saskatchewan's construction industry against the discriminatory practices of the Alberta government (The West's Trade Wall – editorial, Dec. 15). We have nothing to apologize for.
This is only the latest in a series of trade provocations from the Alberta government that have also disadvantaged Ontario companies. These include opposition to opening up government procurement across the country to discriminatory practices against craft brewers such as Great Western Brewing in Saskatoon, and Steam Whistle Brewing in Toronto.
You say we caught Alberta off guard. This is difficult to believe. Alberta has known for some time that Saskatchewan was unhappy with its protectionist behaviour. In our Throne Speech in October, we stated that our government was "considering a range of retaliatory measures in response to Alberta's unfair trade practices."
We understand Canada is stronger with a strong Alberta. No other province has defended Alberta's interests as vigorously as Saskatchewan. But as strong supporters of free trade, both within Canada and outside our borders, we will not stand by while Alberta persists with destructive protectionist policies.
It would be in the interests of all Albertans if their government returned to its traditional position of supporting free trade.
Brad Wall, Premier of Saskatchewan
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Cheating? Repeatedly
Re Easy Money (Dec. 16): It's appalling that criminals like Howard Rash and his ilk can still cheat people and ruin their later years with virtual impunity.
One would think that by now, society would have come up with punishments that also served as deterrents for those who use the markets to prey on investors.
Judges need to be given far more latitude in these cases. Howard Rash and the others like him might find another vocation if they knew they were facing 20 years in the slammer.
Martin Stockton, Carleton Place, Ont.
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Speaking of sex …
Re Age Of Consent: I enjoyed Rachel Giese's piece in the Saturday Opinion Section about how we speak to young men about sex. As we continue to confront sexual harassment in our society, it will be essential to understand the problematic elements of masculinity that we thoughtlessly perpetuate. I would guess that behind every Brock Turner, Harvey Weinstein, Louis C.K. or Donald Trump (et al.) lies a variation on a theme: that one's value as a man is at least partly determined by one's ability and willingness to seduce any woman at any time. Sex becomes an end that justifies any means.
As Ms. Giese points out, men are not trying to prove this ability to women, but to male friends. And men with male friends who vocally oppose this dangerous idea are less likely to commit sexual assault.
That's a start. We have a lot of work ahead of us.
Jody Zink, Victoria
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For those struggling with how to explain the intricacies of consent, they might try Tea and Consent, a YouTube video produced in the United Kingdom by the Thames Police that explains it all in under three minutes. Even if you think you've got it sorted, the video is highly entertaining!
Diane Langston, Calgary
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The measures of Morneau
Re Bill Morneau Was Not Wrong (editorial, Dec. 16): Although Richard Reeves wrote Dream Hoarders about the American upper-middle class, we can see the same dynamics playing out in the attacks on Bill Morneau's very reasonable tax reform proposals.
While claiming allegiance to the marginalized, the liberal-minded upper-middle class fights to maintain its tax privileges, wealth and status, all of which it passes on to its children.
To maintain their status as liberal-minded, they then wed themselves to identity politics. The core problem with identity politics is that it is tied to an endless series of battles over what the economist Albert O. Hirschman called non-divisible goods, rather than divisible goods.
While conflict over divisible goods, such as money, can allow for a regular back and forth and compromise (good, democracy-building conflict), non-divisible identity-based politics eschews compromise and embitters the contestants (bad-for-democracy conflict). After the failure of their truly progressive tax reforms, expect more identity politics from the Liberals as they seek to maintain their liberal, progressive edge.
Mark A. Wolfgram, lecturer in political science, McGill University
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Whether Bill Morneau's tax proposals are fair or better for the country is a matter of debate. What isn't a matter of debate is that he has made a right mess of this file. Time for someone else to take over as Finance Minister.
Helen Mason, St. John's
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I am an expat currently living in California who makes a point of trying to keep up with Canadian news. Lately, I've been reading an undue amount of negative coverage about our Canadian Finance Minister, Bill Morneau.
Mr. Morneau is a competent, successful businessman who has provided sound guidance for our country's finances; I only wish that we had such capable and responsible political leaders here in the United States.
Mr. Morneau didn't pursue his role in the government for the money: He gives a damn and is trying to make Canada better.
While the scrutiny which comes with public office is to be expected, what has been written about him of late is unconscionable. Such treatment only serves to chase our best and brightest away from public office.
Let's show a little respect for people who are trying to make a difference. I will trade you one Bill Morneau for one Donald Trump any day of the week!
Paul Cherrie, Laguna Beach, Calif.
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Hockey's storied past
Re Dark Clouds Hang Over Senators' Celebration (Sports, Dec. 16): Roy MacGregor's account of the Ottawa Senators mentioned the "long-forgotten Dey's Arena," which opened in 1908.
This home of the Senators stood where Confederation Park is now located near the Rideau Canal. Curiously, there has never been anything done to commemorate the spot where this iconic natural ice surface and wooden structure existed. This, despite a number of Stanley Cup challenge games that took place there up until 1923.
It is not as if public art would be a new concept to the park, because from 1971 to 1993, a huge, brown-red fibreglass sculpture called "Traffic" (also known as "the Worm") dominated the landscape. Perhaps in a couple of decades the new Stanley Cup statue on Sparks Street will be moved here to Confederation Park – it would be fitting recognition for an important building in Canada's hockey history.
Roger McGuire, Victoria