The Bowden Institution, a medium-security prison, near Bowden, Alta., in 2020.Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press
War and peace
Re “We the North” (Letters, Oct. 21): The ambassador of Russia to Canada writes that “high up North, not military competition, but peace and predictability must be a guiding national interest. Russia adheres to that principle.”
The English diplomat Sir Henry Wotton once said: “An ambassador is an honest gentleman sent to lie abroad for the good of his country.”
Ron Freedman Toronto
It’s a shame that Russia does not abide by these principles elsewhere. Does the ambassador not see the irony in his statement?
Dave Carson Hamilton
Power drain
Re “Alberta doubling down on AI data centres with new mandate for utilities minister” (Report on Business, Oct. 17): Artificial intelligence data centres use enormous amounts of electricity and fresh water. Someone should tell Big Tech that the majority of Alberta’s electricity is generated by fossil fuels.
If they’re looking for clean electricity, they’ll have to build their own (not a bad idea) or look to provinces such as Quebec, Manitoba or Newfoundland and Labrador with almost emissions-free electricity. I find it ironic that Alberta produces the most greenhouse gas emissions by province and has essentially placed a moratorium on renewable energy, but now wants to attract energy-intensive AI data centres.
Who would pay for the needed buildout of electricity generation? When Albertans want to turn up their air conditioners because summers are getting hotter, which group would get preference: AI data centres or Albertans? Reliability and affordability would become problematic.
For the rest of Canada? Alberta emissions would go up. Albertans should call their MLAs before it’s too late.
Ray Nakano Toronto
Friends and enemies
Re “Ottawa not concerned about U.S. stakes in critical minerals firms, minister says” (Report on Business, Oct. 17): I am exceedingly perplexed and troubled by the foundational basis on which Canada is approving “the U.S. government taking equity stakes in Canadian critical-mineral companies,” a move that Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson is “brushing off” on the basis that “the positions are small and the United States is an ally.”
Yet at the same time, “Canada is currently in a trade war with the U.S. that is inflicting massive damage on the aluminum, steel, auto and lumber sectors. Mr. Trump has also repeatedly mused about making Canada the 51st state.”
My question to the minister: What exactly is his definition of an “ally?” I know of no dictionary where an arrogant, unethical, aggressive, extortionate bully taking unfair and potentially destructive advantage of another party’s weakness to enrich itself was ever defined as an “ally.”
I suggest the minister rethinks the situation.
W. E. Hildreth Prince Edward County, Ont.
Risk-averse
Re “We must make Canada worth investing in again” (Report on Business, Oct. 20): The word “again” puzzles me. I wonder when, without the financial aid of U.S. business, that was exactly.
There is an investment parable about two farmers, one American and one Canadian. On one side of a highway, we see a U.S. farmer employing an army of combines to work the fields in a well-funded co-operative.
On the other side, we see a Canadian farmer selling pies on a card table with a sign offering two for the price of one. He has millions of dollars of equity in his farm, yet he sells pies to make ends meet. He says, “But I am happy.”
“Do not bet the farm.” That is the reason many Canadian investors buy name-brand stocks, such as grocers, retailers and banks, that offer smaller yields. They can only hope the U.S. stock market lifts all boats, including those floating in Canada.
Neil McLaughlin Burlington, Ont.
Write off
Re “Canada’s postsecondary system must pivot to meet economic challenges ahead, RBC report says” (Report on Business, Oct. 17): As a university teacher looking back on a 35-year career, I have never seen literacy levels as low as they are today. But I am skeptical of the Royal Bank of Canada’s endorsement of training in artificial intelligence as even a partial solution to the problems faced by educators with regard to national “productivity.”
In particular, the article quotes the director of skills policy for RBC Thought Leadership to the effect that political science students should be able to use ChatGPT to write and edit e-mails. In fairness, she also recommends that they “know the risks of AI and how to use it responsibly.”
Could we not aim higher? Students in all disciplines should be expected to write and edit their own e-mails.
Only with basic competency in literacy would they be able to assess the considerable risks that AI presents – the greatest of which lies in destroying that competence.
Hilary Turner Mission, B.C.
Better way
Re “Ottawa to proceed with promised bail reform legislation next week” (Oct. 17): “Tough on crime” measures that increase incarceration numbers and costs would further tilt the balance from rehabilitation to control, leaving fewer resources for psychological, vocational and educational support.
Well-intentioned retreat from psychiatric institutionalization has driven many to less suitable institutions. The Mental Health Commission of Canada in 2021 estimated more than 70 per cent of inmates suffered mental health or addiction issues. Perhaps the unpromising reputation of prisons contributes to lighter sentencing and lenient bail.
However, the Correctional Service of Canada’s 2023-2024 report found “substantial improvement in the percentage of federal offenders not returning to federal custody within five years of sentence expiration: from 83.3 per cent in 2014-2015 to 89.9 per cent in 2023-2024.”
Would reducing imprisonment for non-violent crimes ensure violent offenders receive appropriate help? Improving public safety should not mean condemning growing numbers to grim, hopeless incarceration that leaves them more troubled and dangerous than at admission.
Chester Fedoruk Toronto
Look how they shine
Re “A Saskatchewan star party draws amateur astronomers together in wonder” (Oct. 20): Many years ago when we lived in Calgary, my five-year-old daughter was a flower girl at a wedding in Camrose, Alta.
Calgary was (and is) one of the most highly lit cities in Canada, so stars were difficult to see. As we were leaving the wedding reception in Camrose, it was quite dark and the sky had a marvellous display of stars.
My daughter was in awe and somewhat annoyed. She scolded us, saying, “How come you never told me about this?” We had failed her!
I am pleased to say I now live in a more dimly lit city, and on a clear night I can see the Big Dipper over the Salish Sea.
Rosemarie Sherban Nanaimo, B.C.
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