Today’s letters: David Johnston lacked the spine for the job

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Johnston wasn’t up to the task

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Re: Johnston finds foreign interference allegations based on incomplete and uncertain intelligence, May 23.

This week, two items on the Canadian political landscape were disheartening: a prime minister who sees fit to lecture another G7 leader on that nation’s internal affairs; and the release of a report that revealed a government-appointed special rapporteur who, regardless of his obvious merits, lacks two of the primary ingredients to ensure impartiality: intestinal fortitude and an independent mind.

It will take character to rock this boat.

Katherine de Vos, Ottawa

Former GG has let us all down

Aw, David Johnston. Why did you cave? I believed in you. You were one of the best governor generals we have had. You were fair and treated Canadians with respect.

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But I am appalled at your refusal to call a public inquiry on foreign interference. More than that, I am ashamed that you would fall victim to Justin Trudeau’s stranglehold on you.

I hoped that you, of all people, would tackle this assignment with an open mind. You didn’t, and it makes me sad.

Heather Cameron Pettipas, Kanata

Would Poilievre stop his whining?

For weeks, Canadians have been treated to Pierre Poilievre’s whines regarding Chinese interference in Canadian elections. He has sought to discredit Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with suggestions Trudeau is weak and deferential to China, that he is disloyal to Canada and Canadians.

When Trudeau finally gave ground, appointing David Johnston as special rapporteur to investigate whether a public hearing was the right call, Poilievre showed himself less interested in fact-gathering than in seeking to discredit Trudeau, questioning the integrity of the former governor general. The outcome was rigged, he suggested, and Johnston was untrustworthy as a long-time Trudeau family friend.

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Nevertheless, Johnston took on the role, interviewing policymakers and others with a stake in the matter, including members of all parties. Unsurprisingly, when given the opportunity to provide insights, Poilievre refused to be interviewed. Nice.

I have no use for Trudeau but even less for this cheap politico, bellowing with the boring certitude of a loon that never shuts up. That’s not leadership, except in the mind of Poilievre and those who believe the louder the noise, the more sense it makes.

Frank A. Pelaschuk, Alexandria

The bright side to 24 Sussex

Re: The inside of 24 Sussex is being stripped bare, May 3.

Let’s look at the brighter side: every upscale neighbourhood needs a hovel to tut-tut about. It strokes the ego of mere mortals to be reminded daily that even fearless politicos can suffer long-term myopia.

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John Morris, Ottawa

Sympathy for derecho victims

Re: Couple living in a hotel room a year after derecho, May 20.

As soon as I read the article about Hilary and Dean Faris, I thought: Why are they not put up in a seniors’ residence by the insurance company? As we know, everything takes longer than expected in repairing a damaged home from weather events.

Trying to cook food from a microwave is challenging.
I’m happy to hear the support they have from their children and the Cedarview Alliance Church.

Gwen Goodwin, Ottawa

Homeless, but not neglected

This is being written from a temporary housing facility afforded to homeless men through the good will of the City of Ottawa and Mayor Mark Sutcliffe.

Raised in a middle-class Catholic family in a beautiful Qualicum Park home, I might have been expected to rise to great heights in my career and personal life. Nothing was further from the truth, it turned out, and with fewer years ahead of me than behind, I am homeless, struggling, frightened daily, and scrambling for things to believe in.

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Enter City Of Ottawa social services and housing. What’s going on in Ottawa regarding the care and treatment of the homeless deserves public scrutiny. In the city-run facility where I am living, there are caring and selfless staff, professional security, showers, clean beds and four meals daily if anyone has the appetite. A stunning feat of humanity.

Thanks, City Of Ottawa.

Peter Jeffrey Boyle, Ottawa

How to extend landfill’s life

Re: Burning waste back on the table as a possible solution to Ottawa’s landfill problem, May 24.

When I was a child, our family would often spend a Sunday afternoon visiting our local dump looking for treasures, and never left empty-handed. Over the years, as an adult, I have made several visits to our landfill will bulky materials from various renovation projects. While there, I have always spotted materials that I could use and would have happily taken home.

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If people were permitted to take home items that they had a use for, I am sure it would help extend the life of our current landfill. It’s a shame to see everything bulldozed and buried.

Robert Broatch, Ottawa

Nothing changes in the PS

Re: It’s time we left the 1930s-era model of work behind, isn’t it? May 24.

I retired from the federal public circus 11 years ago, and little has changed since. Management assumes that employees must be at work on certain days at certain times. This makes sense for many groups of workers, such as teachers and nurses, but not for the entire silly service.

I was a research analyst, a “highly educated … knowledge-worker.” Were my peers and I paid to warm chairs during set hours, or to actually produce? As Brigitte Pellerin observes, hire employees who “are self-motivated and do not need to be closely monitored … tell them what’s expected and get out of their way.”

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Jim Grose, Edwards

Don’t blame GG for all costs

Re: Governor General pockets $9,500 pay raise to bring 2023 salary to over $350,000, May 24.

The sour tone this article takes in listing the expenses for Governor General Mary Simon’s state-visit “excursions” may be unwarranted. From my recollection of working for a previous governor general who never wanted such trips, they were initiated by the wider government for its own purposes. Trade was a chief factor, and businesspersons were prominent in the delegations.

Joseph Gough, Orléans

The GG: Who is serving whom?

Re: The high public cost of dressing the GGs, May 17.

We can debate the raison d’être and effectiveness of our governors general. But there are two things all Canadians can agree on: a) why would a governor general with an annual salary of $343,000 not pay for her own clothing such as pants, scarf, shoes and T-shirts? and b) the fact that millions of Canadians are anxiously struggling to pay their bills for essential items such as food and lodging.

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So, who is serving whom? While $88,000 for clothing over the last five years may be a small percentage of the annual overall budget for the two governors general in question, purchasing expensive pieces of clothing for personal use with public money tells Canadians that our publicly funded elites (and, by extension, institutions) are out of touch with most Canadians.

It is disturbing that these highly educated people do not realize that entitlements (such as a $6,000 a night room in a London hotel) frustrate peaceful, hard-working and struggling Canadians.

André Corriveau, Stittsville

Clouds on horizon for Lansdowne

Re: 3D Lansdowne model provides a chilly look, May 14.

It is not widely known, but the proposed Lansdowne 2.0 redevelopment contains an important sunset clause. Yes, when OSEG builds its three 29-to-40 storey towers, the sun will no longer shine over Lansdowne Park.

Arieh Bonder, Ottawa