Letters, Feb. 24

Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 24/02/2025 (220 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Gretzky not so great

Wayne Gretzky coming out as the “honorary” Canadian captain is a slap in the face to Canadians and a huge misstep by the event organizers. He gives the thumbs up to the U.S. bench, doesn’t go to the Canadian bench, doesn’t wear a Canadian jersey, I’m surprised he wasn’t wearing his vile MAGA hat.

After all, he was at Trump’s coronation and Trump has suggested he should be the governor of the 51st state. What a bloody Canadian traitor Gretzky is, forever ruining his legacy.

David Leschasin

Winnipeg

How sad to see the uninspired choice of Wayne Gretzky for honorary captain of Team Canada. Was this a deliberate choice for the U.S. to thumb their nose at Canada?

Gretzky? A guy who openly supports Trump, whose wife has posted her support of Canada becoming the 51st state, who has been tagged by Trump with no argument as the guy to be the next “governor” of Canada?

Not to be outdone, Gretzky chooses to enter the ice through the U.S. bench, giving them thumbs up along the way, does not wear the Canada jersey, but instead sports a suit in the U.S. jersey colours, does not approach the Canadian bench to encourage them, does not visit them in the dressing room after the Canada win, but gifts them with red ball caps ambiguously labelled “Be Great.” Which is a reference to what? The MAGA slogan or his own greatness? Either way, kind of pathetic. I lost a lot of respect for Gretzky when he started shilling for sports betting companies on Hockey Night in Canada, but this kind of closes the door on him for me.

A much better choice for honorary captain would have been Hayley Wickenheiser, a star player who is unambiguously Canadian.

Rob McConnell

Winnipeg

The emotional fallout of Trump

Re: Rolling with the punches, and staying vigilant (Think Tank, Feb. 21)

Loraine MacKenzie Shepherd perfectly captures the emotional fallout that many of us have experienced from our daily barrage of Trump world.

The relentless threats, retreats and delays are exhausting and emotionally trying. Shepherd’s description of “resilience targeting” as hybrid warfare strategy and her suggested ways to deal with these feelings will definitely help this reader (and I hope others) to become stronger and more resilient in the face of ‘more’ that is sure to come. Bravo!

Daryl Brooks

Winnipeg

No confidence in Poilievre

Re: Without Trudeau to target, the Tories lose their way (Think Tank, Feb. 15)

Canadian conservatives indeed have a unity problem. The number of conservative citizens who favour Trump, would vote for him, and support his tariff threats is disturbing. How many conservatives are open to Canada becoming the 51st state?

This must be a considerable challenge for federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to continue courting this part of his “base,” while trying to look like a unifying figure with his “Canada First” tactic. I find his attempts to do so disingenuous.

But the Conservatives also have a serious unity problem with Canada. Poilievre has practised aggressive partisan politics during his entire 20-year career as a Parliamentarian. Since being elected Conservative leader, I have heard him attack, belittle and threaten our valued institutions, particularly his obsession with the CBC, with vocal support of his caucus, party and many supporters.

He has repeatedly told citizens that Canada is broken, but offers no specific details of such brokenness, or offers any realistic solutions.

It’s no surprise that his party has lost its way, when all he has done for the past two and a half years is relentlessly harangue Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, blaming him for all the ills of our country and the world. He mirrors Trump when he behaves in a disrespectful and belligerent manner towards journalists, not answering their fair questions and referring to their work as “fake news.”

His continued insults to his perceived enemies, calling people “elites,” “woke,” “wacko” and “radical leftists” are sickening. Worse, I have not heard one Conservative caucus member, party supporter or strategist publicly challenge him on his belligerent behaviour and abusive language.

Poilievre has shown us that he revels in divisive political rhetoric, with unquestioned support by his party. I neither trust nor have confidence in him, or anyone in the Conservative Party, to be a positive, unifying force to help us stand on guard for Canada in the face of Trump’s malicious attacks on our sovereignty.

Kim Tyson

Winnipeg

Taking action as a country

Re: “Support from the states” (Letters, Feb. 21)

Amid the flow of chaos and mayhem spewing from the U.S. recently, the letter from Bob Worrall of Minnesota wisely reminds us of the many, many Americans who value Canada and hope to “repair what is now broken.” Time and space here do not allow room to list all the maddening, unnecessary issues we face (with likely more to come). If there is light at the end of a long dark tunnel, let’s not forget Americans like Mr. Worrall and the millions who did not vote for this president.

He does not speak for them.

The thoughtless stream of nonsense from the White House has united the anger and will of Canadians to act. Overcoming our righteous indignation, however, the question now arises, “What are we going to do about it?”

The challenges we now face are significant, and more will arise in time. Most of us are not involved in developing trade deals with other countries. While the U.S. will continue as a major market, perhaps we need to recycle an environmental motto and “Think nationally, and act locally.” Buying Canadian is one step but should not stop there.

As individuals, groups, and organizations we need to not only recognize the current threats to our country but also engage to take more action as we each see fit, to build a stronger Canada.

Team Canada did its part, how about you?

Dan Furlan

Winnipeg

Trump’s intrusion

Re: What’s going on with the Kennedy Center under Trump? (Feb. 19)

Donald Trump’s manipulation of the board of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has resulted in his being made chairman of the board (though he admits never having seen a show there). How long can it be before we are treated to the sight of Trump doing his wooden-legged sway on the Kennedy Center stage to the strains of YMCA?

But, seriously, this intrusion by Trump into an area of which he is abysmally ignorant evidences his self-image of an emperor who can demand obeisance from every conceivable segment of American society.

Ron Menec

Winnipeg