‘How could anybody believe the transparently absurd stories of a heroic Donald Trump?’ Disinformation and propaganda, plus other letters to the editor for Aug. 18

Re “Loblaw’s health care empire is growing. But can it earn the trust of Canadian patients?” (Report on Business, Aug. 10): I also find a fundamental problem with the expanded role of pharmacists in the health care system.
Provincial governments have been trying to fill gaps in health care by shifting responsibility for prescribing many medications from doctors to pharmacists. For a number of medications, this seems to make sense and removes some pressure from clinics and likely emergency rooms.
However, I see a conflict of interest in this approach. Pharmacists primarily profit from the sale of medications. Giving them the power to prescribe what they sell can create a powerful inducement to overprescribe and overmedicate.
We risk turning pharmacists into legalized drug-pushers and significantly increasing the overmedication of Canadians in the process.
Ellis Barefoot Toronto
Re “Rail shutdown possible in two weeks, as lockout warnings follow labour board ruling” (Report on Business, Aug. 10): In response to a query from the previous labour minister, the Canada Industrial Relations Board ruled that a work stoppage at Canadian National Railway or Canadian Pacific Kansas City would not be considered “an immediate and serious danger” to “public health or safety.” Perhaps the minister did not ask the appropriate question.
Railways haul approximately $1-billion worth of goods a day, and more than half of the country’s total exports each year. In Canada, the two railways are almost the only providers of long-haul transportation. This means the rail unions (with a strike) and rail companies (with a lockout) have the ability to disrupt transportation and inflict massive economic costs on Canadian businesses and individuals.
The current Labour Minister could instead ask: Should rail companies or rail workers be allowed to threaten a strike or lockout, when a work stoppage causes substantial economic hardship to the public?
Constance Smith Victoria
Re “The end of small-city air travel” (Morning Update, Aug. 13): I’m having a little trouble connecting the dots.
Back in 2021, Greyhound cancelled all Canadian routes because of competition from Via Rail. But Via runs 96 per cent of its trains in the big-city Quebec-Windsor corridor, not small towns, and cut 55 per cent of their routes as far back as 1989.
(Even along the corridor, Via has a 59-per-cent on-time record, so I suggest taking along a copy of War and Peace to keep occupied during delays.)
Meanwhile, Air Canada assures us that Canadian airfares are among the highest in the world because it has to service a large country with many money-losing small destinations, which it apparently doesn’t serve any more.
Who’s zooming who?
Ravi Deshpande Toronto
Re “It’s time to bring John A. Macdonald out of his confinement” (Aug. 10): Finally, your readers are reminded of Sir John A. Macdonald, our country’s founder, being hidden in a wooden box for so long at Queen’s Park, as well as the treatment of Henry Dundas and Egerton Ryerson which I find equally disgraceful.
In my opinion, balanced reviews of the historical facts do not come close to justifying these actions. The inscription on Macdonald’s box, to “shape the history we wish to leave behind,” feels like a declaration to rewrite fact.
A minority of these men’s actions in the 1800s are at odds with current values. But how much effort did our civic and academic leaders put into understanding this? Instead, I watched them succumb to a vocal minority.
In 1793, the first legislated action in the British Empire to limit slavery took place here in Upper Canada. I do not recall any celebration of this historical event’s 230th anniversary last year.
A. P. Bell Toronto
Re “Why Toronto needs a city architect” (Aug. 13): I would add Chicago to the list of cities which have prioritized urban design and could serve as models for Toronto.
On a recent Chicago Architecture Center walking tour, I learned that after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, Chicagoans were determined to rebuild a “second city” that was not only functional but beautiful. Inspired by the vision of architect and urban planner Daniel Burnham, the result was the stunning architectural landscape of Chicago which contributed to the city’s prosperity and quick rebound. Notably, Burnham’s vision included the dictum that the Chicago waterfront must be kept protected from development and open to all.
I strongly support Toronto Councillor Josh Matlow’s proposal for a dedicated city designer and architect.
Louise O’Neill Toronto
Re “To fix social media, force the platforms to open themselves up to each other” (Opinion, Aug. 10): When, in 2015, my Facebook page became flooded with what I recognized as honest-to-goodness propaganda, I was confused. How could anybody believe the transparently absurd stories of a “heroic” Donald Trump saving women and children from Hillary Clinton’s “minions?”
I decided to get off Facebook. Since then, I have learned that propaganda is not the tool of an imaginary villain in a book. It is real, insidious, dangerous, infectious and destructive, and it is in between all the recipes, family photos, lyrics, sports scores and other goodies.
I don’t know if columnist Andrew Coyne’s solution is a good one, but the very awareness of social media’s dangers is a good thing. One quick look at the misinformation being fed to users – and acted on – in the United States, Canada, Britain and elsewhere around the world shows it is a real danger to us all.
Claudette Claereboudt Regina
Throughout the late spring and summer, The Globe will feature personal insights and missives from some of our most frequent contributors every Sunday in Letters to the Editor. Survey responses were collected as a part of the research behind A Nation’s Paper: The Globe and Mail in the Life of Canada, a collection of history essays from Globe writers past and present, coming this fall from Signal/McClelland & Stewart.
(The following responses were received by The Globe after a call for submissions in May, 2023.)
My favourite published letter was from 2013, titled “Ein Berliner,” about growing up in Berlin on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of John F. Kennedy’s speech.
One does figure the editors out. How else do I get about one-third of my letters published? I am pleased that I am able to get letters in that have nothing to do with my expertise.
Particularly in retirement, I like the ratio of effort to reward, and being able to still make a contribution.
Manuel Mertin Dean emeritus, Mount Royal University; Calgary
I write letters to The Globe to build Indigenous awareness and provide an Indigenous perspective. I believe The Globe has become more diverse and inclusive in the letters it publishes.
John Moses Delaware and Upper Mohawk bands, Six Nations of the Grand River Territory
My connection with The Globe goes back to the early 1960s, when I delivered the paper in Toronto. One customer, when I came to collect for the week (six issues, Monday to Saturday, for 55 cents), would call to her husband: “Dear, it’s the Mail and Empire boy.”
I write letters to make a point or for clarification. If I see what, in my opinion, is greenwashing or disingenuous corporate or political behavior, I believe it needs to be called out. Yes, it’s also nice to get a letter published; to let my colleagues know I’m still alive and kicking (and relevant?).
I learned long ago to never hit “send” unless, as a colleague said, one wants it published on the front page of The Globe. I have worked for the region of Peel, the Ontario government, the federal government and Enbridge. I think very carefully before I hit “send.”
Chris Gates Cobourg, Ont.
Letters to the Editor should be exclusive to The Globe and Mail. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. Keep letters to 150 words or fewer. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. To submit a letter by e-mail, click here: [email protected]