Preston Manning and his ilk did this to themselves

Western secessionists play into Donald Trump’s hands when they embrace his sore loser approach to elections , April 7 Right on time: Preston Manning, the Reform Party of Canada leader who once infamously said that those who took the “gold-plated MPs pension” were “pigs,” then took it himself, is in the newspapers threatening Western Canadian separation if Pierre Poilievre and the Conservatives do not win the election. Leaving aside the fact that the federal Conservatives did this to themselves by making Trumpy Poilievre — who incidentally was a protégé of Manning and a card-carrying Reformer himself — their leader in the first place. They should have picked the more moderate, pragmatic and centrist Jean Charest, who hailed from the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada, and who is still very popular in Quebec, years after his tenure there as premier.

Manning and his ilk are basically acting like children: Let me win or I will flip the game board! Maybe they will resort to a desperate Trumpy “the election must be rigged” claim next, when the federal Liberals, under Mark Carney, very likely win a consecutive fourth election on April 28. Jane Popa, Edmonton, AB ‘Are you better off than you were four years ago?’ Pierre Poilievre is a much better politician than Mark Carney. The Conservatives might lose anyway , April 13 It appears Canadians are grappling with a pivotal decision between Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and Liberal Leader Mark Carney as their next Prime Minister.



Reflecting on history, former U.S. president Ronald Reagan posed a powerful question during his closing statement in the 1980 debate with then incumbent president Jimmy Carter: “Are you better off than you were four years ago?” This timeless query remains relevant today, inviting voters to assess their economic well-being under the past decade of Liberal rule.

Over the last 10 years, Canada’s GDP per capita has shown minimal growth, rising from $52,224 in 2012 to $53,372 in 2022 — an increase of less than two per cent. Adjusted for inflation, real GDP per capita has declined, weakening purchasing power and leaving Canadians financially strained. By comparison, the United States experienced a significant surge, with GDP per capita climbing from $50,066 to $81,695 — a remarkable 63 per cent increase — driven by stronger productivity, innovation, and deregulation.

This economic stagnation has had tangible effects on Canadians’ daily lives. Housing affordability has become a pressing concern, with nearly half of Canadians worried about rising costs and more than 20 per cent of households spending more than 30 per cent of their income on shelter. Mortgage rates and rental prices continue to climb, further straining budgets.

Employment opportunities, while steady in some provinces, have failed to keep pace with the rising cost of living, leaving many Canadians struggling to make ends meet. Health-care access, a cornerstone of Canadian identity, faces challenges as millions encounter unmet needs, long wait times, and limited home-care services. These realities paint a picture of financial and social strain, prompting Canadians to reflect on whether the current trajectory aligns with their aspirations for a prosperous future.

As the nation approaches a critical election, Reagan’s question serves as a poignant reminder to evaluate not just the past, but the potential for meaningful change ahead. Brent Blackburn, Listowel, ON Conservative leader anything but consistent When Liberal leader Mark Carney shows up at an event, a press conference or a campaign stop, by and large, you get what you see and hear. He has been quietly consistent in his approach to leading Canada, both standing up to the tumultuous U.

S. Donald Trump presidency and in dealing with the more “mundane” job of responsible governance for all Canadians. He has certainly gained respect from the international community.

The only thing reliably consistent about Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is his tiresome habit of changing his personality, his wardrobe, his physical appearance and his talking points almost weekly in an attempt to curry votes when his previous incarnation has failed to gain him any traction over his Liberal opponent. How can you put your faith in someone who does that? Smells like desperation to me and not someone who’s got a steady hand on the tiller. Michael Bines, Toronto Threat to use the notwithstanding clause is a threat to our Charter Rights Poilievre vows to use notwithstanding clause to support consecutive murder sentences , April 14 Every time a politician uses, or threatens to use, the notwithstanding clause the Charter of Rights and Freedoms is threatened.

Perhaps it would be more honest to state that they don’t support Charter Rights and believe that an elected government should be free to override the rights of minorities. How far back do they want to go in ensuring that prejudice and discrimination are allowed? Various groups, including women, received the right to vote relatively recently. Is that a bridge too far? David Steele, Saskatoon, SK Anti-noise group is grateful for the silence This unusually snowy winter gave us a gift we didn’t even know we needed , April 14 Thank you so much for this article! At nomorenoisetoronto.

com , a grassroots group of 1,300 people working with Toronto councillors, public health and Toronto police to try and restore a measure of peace to our community, we often observe that with the spring we all look forward to also, sadly, comes noise. The first crocus poking its head through the hard clay will be greeted, then, by the throbbing pulse of car speakers, the blaring of boom boxes in public parks, the screaming of altered mufflers and too many other horrors to list. While we are a Toronto group, we are in contact with residents and anti-noise groups in other jurisdictions across Canada as well as with experts from the U.

S. and Europe. Check out the website and perhaps consider joining.

No fees, no requirements. Everyone just contributes according to their available time, abilities and resources. Anita Dermer, Toronto That’s one big house The house that Vlad built? For $500 million, Guerrero and the Blue Jays are buying what the other’s selling , April 14 With $500 million — U.

S. no less — I bet I could feed and house all Torontonians for the next 15 years. A house indeed.

Kevin Bowen, Toronto.