Premier David Eby is joined by fellow British Columbians for an event about showing support for Canada in the face of U.S. tariffs during a news conference at the inner harbour in Victoria., on Sept. 8.Chad Hipolito/The Canadian Press
Right way
Re “The populist right is rising around the world. Why not in Canada?” (Opinion, Sept. 12): The trifecta of the populist right wing is racism, misogyny and intolerance. This provides Canada with the ability to present a “holier than thou” appearance with some credence, as our segment of this offensively ignorant population remains a fringe rump offside to the majority.
The Liberals are certainly guilty of shifting priorities, but many would say this speaks to the historical pragmatism of the party and its leaders. They have never descended into race-baiting, hate and intolerance.
The proximity to the Trump disaster is also a guiding light shining brightly to avoid anything that resembles what is being promoted by our southern neighbour.
Frank Malone Aurora, Ont.
Pope John Paul II explained the difference between nationalism and patriotism in his 2005 book Memory and Identity: “Whereas nationalism involves recognizing and pursuing the good of one’s nation alone, without regard for the rights of others, patriotism … is a love for one’s native land that accords rights to all other nations equal to those claimed for one’s own.”
Let us be patriots.
Joe Stafford Kingston, Ont.
Sign of the times
Re “Cringe Canadiana is the worst response to Trump’s economic aggression” (Opinion, Sept. 12): There is nothing cringeworthy in the actions of Doug Ford and David Eby.
I would suggest their signs add levity to the situation from a Canadian perspective while delivering a clear message to all who see them. And by all, I mean everyday Americans who may or may not be aware nor understand the consequences of the U.S. administration’s decisions on Canadian relations.
To quote Jean Chrétien: “We bow to no one. And the more we are insulted and threatened and abused, the more we will stand up for ourselves and stand united.”
If it means wearing a red plaid jacket, so be it.
Debbie Ristimaki Winnipeg
Continued liquor boycott, yes. Cringe such as the plaid jacket and patriotic signage, no. It feels beneath the stature of David Eby’s office as Premier.
We already have a “Captain Canada” in Ontario, we do not need one in British Columbia.
Dave Nonen Victoria
Why are we giving Donald Trump’s rhetoric so much attention?
Spending public money on patriotic signs doesn’t project strength, but rather insecurity. Canada is a G7 country and one of the world’s largest economies. We should be confident enough to not behave like the smaller neighbour constantly needing to assert itself.
Our governments should focus time, energy and taxpayer money on what actually matters: the Canada-U.S. trade relationship, tariffs, market access and the consequences for Canadian businesses and workers.
We diminish ourselves when we turn provocative rhetoric into government signage. Confidence is demonstrated by what we do, not by protesting what someone else says.
Peter-Paul Van Hoeken Prince Edward County, Ont.
Keeping score
Re “Test scores are falling, and the problem is staring us in the face” (Opinion, Sept. 12): It is pointed out that “the kids are not all right” and cellphones “staring us in the face” are the culprit. Maybe, maybe not.
The 37-country Program for International Student Assessment report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development points out that “changes since 2022 in cellphone bans are, however, not associated at the system level with changes in average science or reading performance … economies where cellphone bans were more prevalent tended to have lower average science performance.” Note, lower.
Among the top-10 scoring countries in science, which includes Canada, rates of digital distractions reported by students and school-level cellphone bans are mixed.
Since it began in 2000, the PISA-reported proportions of students indicating that they feel like they don’t belong in school, and who think school is a “waste of time,” has more than doubled. There’s more to this than what is staring us in the face.
Ken Clark Winnipeg
In Britain, test scores have risen over the same period. Don’t they also have phones there?
David Arthur Cambridge, Ont.
It is easy to see failure in falling scores worldwide. We should also give attention to what Canada is doing right.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development pointed to Canada as a country that is succeeding in balancing academic strength with the social and emotional learning that creates effective contributors and lifelong learners. Canadian schools that recognize the importance of student engagement, self-direction, deep-thinking and curiosity are leading the way in teaching these skills from early childhood through high school.
This investment pays off in building long-lasting attitudes and values. Heralding successes should be a proud part of this story.
Elizabeth Morley Principal emerita, Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study Laboratory School, Ontario institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto
I remember the moment when cellphones were first encouraged by school administrators.
Ironically, they were sold as a way to engage students. I didn’t buy it then, but they came anyway.
A few years ago, concerned, I decided to “ban” phone use in my ESL class. What surprised me was how I, too, had become dependent on them.
Less frequently did I circulate to help students spell a word or figure out a phrase – phones did that. Rarely did I need extra material for speedy kids who finished everything early; their phones kept them in their seats.
I found myself relearning how to teach in a phone-free classroom, remembering hard-earned instructional skills that had always served to help me know my students better.
Marjorie Hewitt Grimsby, Ont.
Full view
Re “Mark Carney brings John A. Macdonald back to the Canadian story” (Opinion, Sept. 12): Our first prime minister was a man of his time with many held beliefs that are anathema to our modern society.
His achievements and determination to unify Canada should be acknowledged. In the same vein, it would be a disservice to whitewash his actions that impacted Indigenous communities.
I recall when the Harper government idolized Sir John A. Macdonald and, with little consultation, renamed the Ottawa River Parkway while ignoring the seedier side of the man’s legacy. This is not to suggest the removal of statues, nor to rename buildings, but for history and historians to provide a full picture of our past leaders.
It is the least to ask to hopefully avoid unnecessary polarization.
John Watters Ottawa
This excellent piece has echoes of Winston Churchill, who said: “The longer you can look back, the farther you can look forward.”
Barrie Kirk Ottawa
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