Letters, Feb. 6

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 06/02/2025 (419 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Being bold as Canadians

Re: “Trump, the unifier” (Letters, Feb. 5)

For decades, while travelling to and from countries in the eastern portions of the globe, the one prominent “in your face” theme at airports and elsewhere was the strict security related rules and checks (including gun-wielding guards) — and especially so to Canadians who have lived in a country considered a safe haven for all others from all around the world.

The shocking revelation that Canada now needs to mimic other parts of the world for crime and takeover issues, has ironically been thrust on us by none other than our North American ally and neighbour. With a threat to our freedom and strong democracy, we are beginning collectively to work towards a unified goal as suggested by John Lehr. U.S. President Donald Trump is pushing us to change our laid-back Canadian “nice guys” attitude. It’s about time for that.

Let our actions demonstrate this attitude change. Let co-operation and togetherness make us stronger.

Let’s become bold Canadians.

Let’s embrace our true North.

Let’s live, buy, eat, work and act as Canadians.

And, Canada is not for sale!

Prabha Menon

Winnipeg

The need for supply management

Re: “Chance to fix an old problem” (Letters, Feb. 4)

In Tuesday’s paper Derek Rolstone asks “why do we supply manage dairy?” We supply manage dairy and eggs and poultry to try and reduce some of the risk for farmers who are producing these products. Supply management gives producers a predictable return on their production and helps control supply.

Does this result in higher prices for consumers? It does, but by making the operations of these producers profitable, it helps to guarantee they’ll stay in business and continue to produce Canadian grown products and hopefully to allow family farms to thrive. Everyone deserves fair compensation for their work and so should farmers.

Farmers take on huge risks to grow a crop or raise livestock and if supply management can help mitigate those risks and keep farmers viable, then having the consumer pay a fair price is worth it in my opinion.

Ken McLean

Starbuck

Other ways to make one’s point

Re: “To boo or not to boo” (Letters, Feb. 4)

Booing the American anthem at sporting events may get us some American airtime but it doesn’t show good sportsmanship. The players are not to blame for the tariff war.

It might be more effective if everyone at a Jets’ game held up paddleboard signs during the U.S. anthem that read: Canada is not for sale! (Just be sure the signs are made in Canada!)

We could maintain our reputation as polite Canadians while making a major point with the American media.

Louise Chernetz

East St. Paul

Preparing for a hostile America

Re: Trump’s suggestion the U.S. ‘take over’ the Gaza Strip is rejected by allies and adversaries alike (Feb. 4)

The president of the United States has decided it will be a good day to remove all the people of Gaza and turn that area into a real-estate development and a territory of the U.S. The president has now stated that they are going to take over Panama, Greenland, Gaza, and Canada by economic and/or military force.

It may be time for Canada to become a nuclear power to defend ourselves from our so-called friends south of us. The U.S. has been our close ally since the late 1800s. We have in the past been close friends and allies but Canadians need to now be able to defend ourselves from our neighbour’s territorial designs.

The U.S. has a population that is 10 times ours and may be looking for “living room” like Hitler was in the 1930s. Musk’s one-armed salute may be a sign of the direction Trump is heading with his plutocrats, just like another ruler that killed millions.

Canadians need to be prepared to defend ourselves, economically, and militarily if we don’t wish to be occupied and ruled by this president and his cronies.

Bob Robinson

Winnipeg

I think our federal government should announce plans to immediately begin building an oil refinery in Alberta and an enlargement of the Trans Mountain pipeline.

The refinery to be large enough to supply Canada’s needs for gasoline and diesel fuels at one price across the nation. And the pipeline enlargement sufficient to deliver the balance of Alberta’s heavy crude oil to the West coast for sale. These works announced as necessary to provide some independence from the U.S. and to prevent Alberta’s separation.

Barry Oswald

Winnipeg

Boycott regardless of tariffs

Canadians should realize that the U.S. is no longer a friend of Canada. Trump has made it clear that he is quite willing to hurt our country and any other country that doesn’t bow to his will. He thinks countries like Canada are powerless to resist.

He is mistaken.

We are a major consumer of both U.S. products and services. Canadians can and should stop buying U.S. products and services. Lets spend our money in Canada or in countries who are our friends. Let’s boycott products and services from the U.S.

Canadian snowbirds, consider becoming Mexican snowbirds. Better climate, friendly nation and a whole lot less expensive.

Donald Trump seems to think the U.S. needs nothing from anybody and that Americans can buy everything they need from the U.S. market. He may be right but he should recognize that Canada and the world don’t need to buy anything from the U.S. His buy-American appeal to Americans is fine, the world’s response to this pariah should be “Made in America? Keep it in America.”

I wonder what would be the outcome of a world boycott on American goods and services would have on their economy?

It does not matter whether tariffs are implemented or not, the U.S. is not our friend and is no longer deserving of Canadian support.

Don’t buy American products or services!

Douglas Fisher

Winnipeg

Taking down barriers

Re: Kinew aims to ‘Trump-proof’ Manitoba economy (Feb. 4)

I agree with pretty much everything being done and recommended by the premier as reported in the article. All else notwithstanding, I especially liked two things: first, that he is involving many partners and stakeholders, including Indigenous leaders, in developing a Manitoba response and strategy and, second, he is recommending doing what can be done to diversify our export markets, which would hopefully result in dealing with more reliable partners.

I did note, however, that there was no mention of addressing inter-provincial trade barriers which have received a great deal of attention since the threat of U.S. tariffs first emerged. In fact, such barriers have many times in the past been identified as inhibiting greater productivity on a national level but are now seen by many as something, which if significantly reduced, could be an important means of mitigating the economic pain that would be caused by tariffs.

Hence a question, why aren’t the premiers moving more swiftly, i.e., at warp speed, to address this matter by doing away with as many such barriers as possible.

Or, put another way, if not now for reasons that seem obvious, then when?

Gerald Farthing

Winnipeg