We welcome comments from our readers. You can share your comment by completing our Letters to the Editor form or by posting a comment at the end of an article.
Here are a few thought-provoking comments from recent months:
‘We eliminated the waiting lists’: Dr. Hugh Scully on health-care reform
Hard targets have their uses. They allow managers to easily compare data for common medical procedures and interventions like the cardiology procedures addressed by Dr. Scully and his colleagues. But they are no panacea.
I work in palliative care. How would you hold me accountable? What should my targets be? In palliative care most of my patients get a celestial discharge; should I ask them how they feel about a faster throughput?
We can learn from Britain’s attempt to impose accountability through targets. A mechanistic, nuance-free, money-first approach to health care will always fail. … Yes, we want and need accountability. But let’s show some humility, let’s be cautious about implementing policies to get there.
– Dr. Marc Clark, MD, FCFP
Kensington Market’s overdose prevention site is saving lives but killing business
Your article on Kensington Market’s overdose prevention site is a great article which discusses both sides of the issue.
I did find it slightly ironic that the bar owners commenting on Kensington Market’s overdose prevention site did not take into consideration that their establishments are safe consumption sites for a highly addictive substance.
Add to that the fact that their establishments are made even more attractive to clients by adding great food. Then also add the fact that the highly addictive substance is actually “safe supply,” as it is regulated by the government.
– Nannette Morissette
A quarter of seniors have $5,000 or less saved for retirement: survey
This is a sad state of affairs that will hopefully be addressed by our new government, churches and other charitable organizations working together.
To help prevent these issues from arising in the future, more needs to be done to educate our young on financial literacy in the early grades. These children can take their homework home and hopefully their parents — who fell through the previous gap in financial literacy education — can learn as well.
Educating young people to know the difference between a “need” a “want,” and encouraging the investment of even small amounts at a young age will lead to better retirement outcomes. As Albert Einstein said, “Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world.”
No steps will completely eliminate poverty. However, education is a strong first step. The second should be teaching compassion for those who cannot escape poverty.
– Shinny
Global study on spending reveals keys to happiness
I believe the study explored in the article on spending and happiness was skewed. Think about it: if you are an upper-income participant in the study, your financial comfort gives you the choice to freely spend the $10,000 that study participants received. The study indicates most would spend their money giving gifts to others, and that is wonderful and commendable.
But what about the low-income participant who is barely scraping by? Their spending will be used to buy necessities of life: rent, food, clothing, utilities and vehicles.
Is this a fair comparison? I think not.
– Karen Gibbs
Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.
Abortion red herring distracts from real family policy needs
I could be wrong, but judging from the storm clouds gathering south of the border, I would not be at all surprised if the Conservatives under Pierre Poilievre decided to make abortion an issue if they win the next election. In the U.S., it was a very effective wedge issue that powered the rise of the religious right.
– Charles Justice
Prince Rupert, B.C.
The interprovincial trade barriers of personal finance
Great article. And as an investment advisor, I agree that the rules should be simplified.
However, I disagree with your one comment, “Let’s trust Canadians to know and understand their own financial planning needs.” Sadly, some don’t. These few individuals will drain their RIF & LIF holdings quickly to meet current whims and leave future necessities to chance (i.e. the lottery they are sure they will win if they buy enough tickets). This is why limits are placed on withdrawals. Employers want to safeguard the future of their former employees. The alternative would have been a guaranteed pension which is far more restrictive than a LIF.
– Sharon Wigle-Clayton
Why buying local Canadian produce is easier said than done
Thank you for this informative article.
I would like to see something simple, such as a Canadian flag sticker, on all items that are either a Product of Canada or Made in Canada in all stores. Not everyone has time to read the labels and I, for one, cannot read the labels due to poor eyesight. The sticker would sure help.
– Wendy Penne
