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:
No ‘silver bullet’: Ottawa’s pledge to boost soldiers’ compensation draws mixed reviews
I enrolled in the military in 2009 and am still serving. A regular force private in 2009 made $2,624 a month or $87 a day. At that time, the minimum wage was $8.75 an hour or $87 a day.
Today, that same private today is making $3,614 a month or $120 a day. But the current Ontario minimum wage is $17.20 an hour, which is $137 a day. So CAF members make less money compared to our civilian counterparts than they did in 2009.
– Rebecca
This article leans heavily on the perspective of a former infantry officer who left the CAF five years ago, bought his first house at 24, and now practices law in Edmonton. It’s a perspective as outdated as the housing market he benefited from — and one that ignores the financial realities facing today’s troops.
CAF members aren’t asking for luxury — they’re asking for fairness. If police officers are making more than $100,000 with overtime, why should soldiers — who can be sent into combat, separated from family for months, and ordered to move with 30 days’ notice — be expected to do it for half that?
– Richard Bungay
The unseen costs of Canada’s ‘free’ dental care
I have had several claims approved without any problem, but for a recent treatment I made sure to call Sun Life beforehand, because it was an expensive procedure. They checked my file and assured me that not only was the procedure covered and required no preauthorization, but that I was covered 100 per cent.
But when I got the treatment the dentist said they had not received my preauthorization yet, and they made me pay for the full amount. Now the dentist tells me that Sun Life will not get around to my claim for several months!
My question is: why am I having to advance money to my dentist who is surely a lot richer than this old pensioner?
– Spellin Spector
Can addiction be predicted—and prevented?
It seems that we can use this addiction prevention program with students and people who are already living in safe environments where they have the support and love of those who surround them.
But how in the hell can you teach people to change their behaviours, feelings and reactions when they have grown up in unsafe or abusive environments?
– Sally
The surprising location of Canada’s unhappiest cities
I think that the majority of Canadians are actually never happy. A lot of us want to find faults and blame it on our country.
Canada is not perfect. Not even close. But compared to other countries, we have a pretty good standard of living. We are relatively safe. We have access to good, free health care. We have good social programs for those who are struggling.
If you are provided with access to the basics — which we are — it is up to us to create our happiness. If you are unhappy, it is up to you to change your circumstances and maybe your goals, but definitely your outlook. Be accountable for your own life.
– Karen Brooks
‘Peace Train’ passengers petition Canada to sign nuclear prohibition treaty
No F’ing way. With Trump’s threat to annex Canada, we needed nukes here yesterday. Russia would never have invaded Ukraine if they had nukes. Not that we would use them, but just as a deterrent.
– Dave
Pain, pride and pills: Why Canadian trades workers are dying in silence
It should be talked about that an overwhelming number of trades people are men, and men traditionally do not seek medical help. This starts with upbringing; men are conditioned to be tough and to not cry. This is a huge cultural problem in the trades. I say this as a woman working in the trades.
– Tara Chambers
‘An irresponsible proposal’: Religious groups react to charitable status threat
Prior to the federal election, the Canadian government deliberated about amending the Income Tax Act to reword the definition of “charity” to eliminate the status of “advancement of religion” as a charitable purpose. An organization championing this change is the BC Humanist Association, which, naturally, doesn’t want their own charitable tax status to be revoked through changes to the act.
The BC Humanist Association exists for the express purpose of promoting an atheistic philosophy of life, and for proselytizing others to join them in this worldview. It is a type of “evangelizing” — similar to what some religious groups engage in.
In a free and democratic country like Canada, where freedom of thought, expression and association are protected by law, the association’s outlook is perfectly fine. But, strangely, the BC Humanists think their “evangelizing” should be tax-deductible, but not the proselytizing of religious groups.
– Anthony Chiarella,
Winnipeg, Man.
