Letters: December 7, 2019

(FILES) A file photo taken on February 21, 2018, shows exhaust gases pourring out of from the exhaust pipe of a BMW diesel engine car at a garage in Wickede, eastern Germany. - The European countries were trying on October 9, 2018 in Luxembourg to overcome their divisions on the magnitude of the reduction in CO2 emissions to impose on car manufacturers.INA FASSBENDER / AFP/Getty Images

Missing the target

Re: “Meeting our international environmental obligations is key” (Tom Mulcair, Nov. 26).

Key to what, given we are not going to meet those obligations? Plus, even if they were achieved, there would be no effect whatsoever on world climate. And not that there’s any chance of the planet meeting the Paris goal anyway, but what if the science is right and the number is wrong? What if that 1.5- to 2-degree maximum allowable temperature increase was too generous and we have already crossed the threshold? Is there any reason other than stupidity for not finding and implementing means of removing the existing excess of carbon from the atmosphere? De-carbonization is much more likely to be the proper prescription for our climate condition, and carbon taxation a placebo.

Louis Desjardins

That’s the side of the story they don’t want to tell you, is that we won’t meet any of these targets.

Ministers and middle class

If Trudeau wants to help me as a middle-class taxpayer, he can start by reducing the size of government, not making it bigger. The position of minister of middle-class prosperity is patronizing and, quite frankly, ridiculous. And then there is the new Ministry of Digital Government, which, as columnist Brian Lilley correctly states, would normally be handled by Treasury Board or Public Works. Taxpayers should keep in mind that with every new ministry come the costs: minister’s salary and perks (including use of a limo), staff salaries, travel expenses, real estate, office equipment and supplies, etc. Please stop wasting middle-class tax dollars.

Lorraine Small


Scheer’s steep hill

It was Andrew Scheer allowing Gerald Butts to define his positions on both abortion and the GLBQT community, and Scheer’s inability to change that perception, that played a massive role in his defeat, especially with voters in Quebec and Ontario. I doubt if those voters will ever change opinions that were so firmly established, giving Scheer a monumental hill to climb. In fact, his MPS in Quebec have shown their disdain directly to him. By holding on and forcing a vote concerning his leadership in April rather than bowing out gracefully, he is creating further deep divisions in the party. If Scheer couldn’t beat a badly damaged Justin Trudeau in the recent election, it is hard to think of how, after four more years, his chances will improve, especially with Trudeau’s numerous scandals long forgotten.

Larry Comeau

It’s like Trudeau is made of Teflon.

Stop and search

Re: “Trudeau has a rare chance to reduce gun crime,” Mark Towhey, Nov. 30.

How refreshing to read an article from someone who has common sense and well-established facts at hand. Towhey has presented an excellent opportunity to reduce gun crime citing many areas of consideration. I would only add to his list one other item: Stop and search. Why is it that in many areas game wardens can search vehicles and residences without said warrants if they feel animals or birds were harmed, but our law enforcement cannot do the same if humans were hurt or killed. It is too bad that the suggestions laid out will meet the same fate as many other good ones have: The circular file. There is no appetite by government or law enforcement hierarchy to do what needs to be done.

Jim Lawrence

Well said.

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