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Montreal Gazette
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Montreal Gazette
Letters: Bilingual greetings shouldn't be shamed by CAQ government
Re: ' Language complaints soar in Quebec as English service eclipses concerns about signs ' (The Gazette, July 4) I often travel to Ottawa for work. When I stop in Casselman, a Franco-Ontarian bastion, I am greeted with 'Hello-Bonjour.' It's one thing to say everyone in Quebec is entitled to be greeted and served in French, as previous governments have, and quite another to attempt to shame businesses for also wanting to welcome clients in another language, as the Coalition Avenir Québec is doing. English is not a foreign language in Quebec, as much as some nationalists may like it to be. Jordan Black, Rosemont A caring response to an urgent need Re: ' 'I'm happy': From homeless to housed, tenants grateful for new Lachine facility ' (The Gazette, July 3) It was a pleasure to read about the Old Brewery Mission's Tenaquip Place. In a world where stories of hardship often dominate the headlines, it is deeply uplifting to see a project focused on compassion, community and hope. This complex is not just a structure — it's a sign we are capable of thoughtful, humane responses to urgent needs. We are at our best when we look out for one another. To those who made Tenaquip Place a reality, thank you for your vision and humanity. Elizabeth Bright, Côte-St-Luc Patriotism is a personal matter Re: ' Canadian pride isn't a betrayal of being a Quebecer ' (Robert Libman, June 28) It is infuriating that a nationalist commentator, as reported by Robert Libman, would try to negate what another person believes in by stating 'Canada is an artificial political structure.' The commentator also claims we can't be Canadian and Québécois at the same time. Perhaps they missed a recent Association for Canadian Studies poll that showed 82 per cent of Quebec respondents — believing a nation's 'members share a common culture, language and history' — felt 'they were part of the Canadian nation.' To harbour strong patriotic feelings for one's nation is fine, but to dismiss another's pride in a country you don't identify with is wrong-headed. Goldie Olszynko, Mile End NATO spending goal needs a rethink Re: ' Trump hedges on NATO pledge ' (NP Montreal, June 25); ' Ottawa pledges to ramp up NATO defence spending ' (NP Montreal, June 26) NATO's decision to raise member countries' defence spending to five per cent of GDP will pose serious difficulties for spending on domestic needs. The chief reasons given are the need to counter the increased threat posed by Russia and other hostile countries, and to match U.S. military expenditure in NATO. Yet according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, Russia spent only US$149 billion on the military in 2024, while NATO countries collectively spent US$1,506 billion, with European NATO countries at US$454 billion. The U.S. spent only 3.38 per cent of GDP on defence in 2024. President Donald Trump has said the five per cent goal shouldn't apply to the U.S., but only to other NATO countries. For Canada to reach five per cent, it would have to increase its annual defence to $150 billion. This would probably result in significantly increased taxes, debt or severe cuts in domestic spending. Canada and other NATO countries should seriously reconsider this increase. Robert Hajaly, Montreal Submitting a letter to the editor Letters should be sent by email to letters@ We prioritize letters that respond to, or are inspired by, articles published by The Gazette. If you are responding to a specific article, let us know which one. Letters should be sent uniquely to us. The shorter they are — ideally, fewer than 200 words — the greater the chance of publication. Timing, clarity, factual accuracy and tone are all important, as is whether the writer has something new to add to the conversation. We reserve the right to edit and condense all letters. Care is taken to preserve the core of the writer's argument. Our policy is not to publish anonymous letters, those with pseudonyms or 'open letters' addressed to third parties. Letters are published with the author's full name and city or neighbourhood/borough of residence. Include a phone number and address to help verify identity; these will not be published. We will not indicate to you whether your letter will be published. If it has not been published within 10 days or so, it is not likely to be.
Montreal Gazette
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Montreal Gazette
Letters: As feds seek unity, Quebec digs heels on divisive tuition hikes
In today's challenging political and economic climate, our newly elected federal government is making a commendable effort to unite Canadians by breaking down provincial barriers and promoting national prosperity. Unfortunately, the latest stance from the Coalition Avenir Québec government — sticking to its contentious tuition hikes for out-of-province students despite a court order — runs counter to this vision. Premier François Legault's claims that the French language is being eroded appear unfounded and risk deepening divisions at a time when unity is more critical than ever. Canada is facing serious external pressures, particularly from our southern neighbour. Now is the time to set aside narrow political interests and focus on strengthening and preserving our country — together. Robert Tellier, Westmount Bill 40 belongs in Supreme Court Re: ' On death, taxes and the fate of minority rights ' (Robert Libman, June 7) Columnist Robert Libman asserts that the Supreme Court should decline to hear the Quebec government's appeal concerning education reform Bill 40. He highlights that two Quebec courts have unanimously ruled on what appears to be a straightforward matter. I respectfully disagree, as this issue extends beyond the jurisdiction of Quebec's interests. In Quebec, our public school system has two governance systems — one for the English-speaking community and the other for the French-speaking community. No other province in Canada has a system of school governance where language determines the rules, resulting in different standards for democracy, accountability and transparency. I feel this situation is unacceptable in any context. The issue requires additional scrutiny. Chris Eustace, Pierrefonds Asylum seekers face more hurdles Re: ' Group holds protest against proposed federal security bill ' (The Gazette, June 10) and ' Critic calls out border security bill provision ' (NP Montreal, June 6) It's perhaps surprising that one of the first pieces of legislation proposed by the Mark Carney government, Bill C-2, will make it far more difficult for refugees to apply for asylum in Canada. Under the bill's provisions, people who have been in Canada for more than a year will not be permitted to go through the refugee determination process. Those who cross by land from the U.S., with some exceptions, will not be permitted to stay, and the post-14-day period through which they can currently apply will be nullified. Bill C-2 would also give the government the power to cancel anyone's pre-citizenship or residency status. It's as though huge 'refugees need not apply' banners were placed at the Canadian border — a throwback to the Mackenzie King era. Shloime Perel, Côte-St-Luc Finding right fit for Bay building Re: ' 'A Trophy Asset' ' (The Gazette, June 10) The recent closing of Hudson's Bay stores has raised the question of the future vocation for the flagship store in downtown Montreal. My preference would be to repurpose it as another department store, at least for its older part fronting Ste-Catherine St. W., to maintain the street's character as a major commercial artery of Montreal. I suggest inviting Galeries Lafayette — a major department store chain in Europe with roots in Paris — to open a branch in the former Bay location. Given Montreal's French character, establishing a store in Montreal would be a natural fit. Robert Hajaly, Montreal Submitting a letter to the editor Letters should be sent by email to letters@ We prioritize letters that respond to, or are inspired by, articles published by The Gazette. If you are responding to a specific article, let us know which one. Letters should be sent uniquely to us. The shorter they are — ideally, fewer than 200 words — the greater the chance of publication. Timing, clarity, factual accuracy and tone are all important, as is whether the writer has something new to add to the conversation. We reserve the right to edit and condense all letters. Care is taken to preserve the core of the writer's argument. Our policy is not to publish anonymous letters, those with pseudonyms or 'open letters' addressed to third parties. Letters are published with the author's full name and city or neighbourhood/borough of residence. Include a phone number and address to help verify identity; these will not be published. We will not indicate to you whether your letter will be published. If it has not been published within 10 days or so, it is not likely to be.
