The People’s Pope
Re “Pope Francis, street priest turned tradition-defying pontiff, dies at 88 after stroke” (April 22): What a splendid tribute was The Globe’s front page, given over entirely to one joyful photo honouring not just the Catholic world’s religious leader, but the entire world’s much beloved and dearly admired Pope Francis, a humble man whose nobility of spirit united people of all faiths.
It truly shatters the soul when such a reassuring light in the world’s ever-increasing darkness leaves us, particularly when one looks around and all one sees beyond our borders in positions of influence and leadership is ugliness, emotional sewage and moral squalor.
Rest in your well-deserved peace.
W. E. Hildreth Picton, Ont.
While there are many differences between the Catholic Church and my own Protestant tradition, the Pope was a valuable voice in the wider Christian community.
So much can be said about the good things Pope Francis did in his term. His willingness to come to Canada to acknowledge and apologize for the Church’s harmful role in residential schools was significant. He championed the just treatment of migrants and he was open to the LGBTQ community. He lived by example.
Most of all, he was the People’s Pope, and his humanity humanized religion. Pope Francis brought a softer, more merciful face to faith. This is a gift for both believers and non-believers.
He used actions instead of words, which will, in the end, be a lasting legacy.
John Pentland Reverend, Hillhurst United Church Calgary
Same playbook
Re “The Liberals and Tories are so similar, they look like Tweedledum and Tweedledee” (Opinion, April 22): John Ibbitson correctly points out the vanishing policy gap between the leading political parties.
An election is about leadership. I believe voters, consciously or unconsciously, choose leaders whom they believe espouse their values – a leader who will govern and make decisions consistent with these values.
While Liberal and Conservative policies may be similar, the party leaders could not be more different.
It is that difference that will decide the election.
John Rankin Burlington, Ont.
I accept everyone’s right to vote for whichever party they believe will govern to best serve their political views. Yet, I have been astonished by some of the reasons that have been shared with me.
Instead of focusing on party policy, consistency and competence of the party leader or the desire for a change in government, the reasons are often centred on the personality and appearance of the party leader.
Good governance comes from having the right policies and capable people to implement them. Being likeable helps you get elected, but it doesn’t help you run a country’s government and solve problems.
Voter apathy is troubling, but voter ignorance is a huge problem, since the uninformed are making choices affecting us all.
We all want good government. More informed voters will help us get there. As the saying goes, “people get the government they deserve.” I believe Canadians deserve better.
Wasyl Wysoczanskyj Toronto
Mark Carney may not be a career politician, but he’s a quick learner and pinching one opponent’s policies is standard procedure.
But there’s another reason for the similarities in their platforms. Given the nature of the problems facing this country, the leaders don’t have much choice. For example, countertariffs, accelerated approvals for energy projects and increased defence spending are necessary at this point.
James Duthie Nanaimo, B.C.
An Indigenous lens
Re “Proposed auction of Hudson’s Bay artifacts raises government concerns for future of historic collection” (Report on Business, April 22): Many significant Hudson’s Bay Co. cultural properties comprising Indigenous art, artifacts and historical records were transferred to the Archives of Manitoba and the Manitoba Museum. But HBC’s proposed auction for its artifacts, including its royal charter, must be viewed through an Indigenous lens as well, and these Indigenous views and perspectives should be taken into account.
Galleries, libraries, archives and museums in Canada must mobilize to invoke all applicable articles and provisions of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP); the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Calls to Action; and the Canadian Cultural Property Export and Import Act.
In particular, TRC’s Call to Action 92 states: “We call upon the corporate sector in Canada to adopt the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as a reconciliation framework and to apply its principles, norms, and standards to corporate policy and core operational activities involving Indigenous Peoples and their lands and resources.”
John Moses Delaware and Upper Mohawk bands, Six Nations of the Grand River Territory
Debt and deficits
Re “Spiralling spending” (Letters, April 22): Yes, government deficits are undesirable, but black swan events require deficit spending to protect our economy.
Likewise, the flabby state of our economy also requires infrastructure spending to improve our economic competitiveness. It surprises me that some people are still focused on whether or not we run the deficit.
Given the current circumstances, it’s clear that both major parties are going to run a deficit, so what spending is being proposed and how will it maximize its impact on the growth of the economy?
So-called “investments” in community centres and hockey rinks, or cash rebates, may appease some voters. But the only way we can continue to preserve our generous social welfare programs is to keep making the economic pie bigger.
Competitive tax rates, lowering regulations and barriers to trade, and strategic investments in infrastructure that benefit a broad range of industries seem to be the best way forward.
Ross Cantwell Halifax
Communal contention
Re “Community mailboxes are absurd. I still cannot get behind this idea” (First Person, April 22): The writer complains that his finger bleeds from the community mailboxes. He outlines the great chore of stopping to open the box on a daily basis.
My heart bleeds for him.
In our community, we have always had to go to the post office daily to get our mail. I remember 70 years ago going with my aunt to open Box 63.
During my 40 years of working in Pictou, N.S., I had to cut my lunch short daily to get the mail, and we had to pay rent for the boxes for the privilege.
Now, with the self-destructive direction of the postal “service,” there is so little need to go there, as the bills and magazines are all available online.
But the daily visit remains a very social occasion in a small town.
I think the writer should quit whining.
Gordon Young Pictou, N.S.
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