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Susan Delacourt’s opinion piece caused me to think outside the box. Since neither thoughtful and informed discussions, nor good cop-bad cop tactics are effective ways to get Donald Trump to consider fair negotiations, how about bringing together different kinds of experts that might know better how to crack that nut? Since Trump acts like a petulant and vindictive child, why not try brainstorming with a team of leading child psychologists to explore ways to tap into a more rational side of Trump? Think about it: All methods of negotiating, such as those that might be taught at Harvard Law School mentioned in the opinion piece, assume rational and mature thought as a base line. So why not try an approach with Trump more suited to deal with the behaviour he is demonstrating? Annie Brown, Newmarket Speed cameras keep people safe. So why the debate? I’m really glad to see Mayor Olivia Chow standing firm on Toronto’s speed cameras. Her comments in this article show she understands how important they are, even if the province wants to get rid of them. As someone who drives around the GTA almost every day, I honestly can’t understand why we would remove something that is clearly working. People always slow down when they see those warning signs about cameras ahead. It is a simple measure, but it makes a difference. Many cameras are near schools, where even a small mistake can cause serious harm. Taking them out would only make those areas less safe for children and pedestrians. If the province really wants safer roads, it should invest more in driver education and better street design. Cameras are not there to punish anyone. They simply remind people to follow the rules. The real problem is not government control, but the lack of responsibility among drivers who ignore limits. This should not even be a political issue. Keeping the cameras means keeping people safe. Xianghao Guo, Richmond Hill Louvre robbed? This is a case for Inspector Clouseau! So thieves broke into the rather well-known Louvre, and in less than four minutes managed to get away with crown jewels, not only priceless in the value of the gems but in their historic connection to the Napoleonic era. Too bad Peter Sellers is no longer with us. Seems this is a case for Inspector Clouseau. Natalia Mayer, York Trump’s rhetoric good thing for tourism in Canada As an American now living in Canada, I would like to thank our president and his loose cannon rhetoric. Since his failed bid to annex this fine country, angry Canadians are spending their vacation money at home. I live in rural Cape Breton, and we had the best tourist season ever. Keep up the good work King Donald. Martin Aucoin, Margaree, N.S. Sports and gambling go hand in hand. Doesn’t mean it’s right Where is the surprise in this development? This was all predictable from the start because greed overpowers common sense. You cannot watch sporting events on television without being bombarded by gambling ads. To add insult to injury you have star athletes urging the audience to bet on games. What is not evident yet is the effect this is having on young people who enjoy watching sports. From the start, they see that sports and gambling are two sides of the same coin. It will get worse before it gets better. Charles Campisi, Oakville Commercial deliver vans should face zero emission restrictions It seems to me we may be missing an opportunity to keep Canadian auto workers employed. Instead of threatening GM and Stellantis with import tariffs (that former President Ronald Reagan clearly understood were counterproductive) our federal government should be applying the Trudeau zero emission vehicle requirements from personal use vehicles to commercial delivery vans. Requiring an increasing percentage of all delivery vans operating in Canada (say 10 per cent in 2026 increasing 10 per cent per year for the next 10 years) to be zero emissions would be beneficial all around. Such a move would create instant demand for the GM BrightDrop van, encourage Stellantis to retool the Brampton plant and guarantee a market for the battery manufacturing plants presently under construction in southern Ontario. A win for auto industry workers, a step in the right direction for CO2 emissions and a message from the government of Canada that we have not abandoned our commitment to fighting climate change. Phil Warne, Pickering Does our premier do anything that actually makes our lives better? Flavor of this week Premier Ford? Oh yes, ticket scalpers. Last week, speed cameras. Before that, Crown Royal. He just bounces from one minor issue to another, looking to gain a bit of support from citizens who take issue with a particular subject. However, he doesn’t achieve anything of substance on major problems. You don’t like bike lanes? Well, we have a premier on your side. You don’t agree with experiments on animals for medical scientific gain? Doug’s going to stop that. It’s no wonder the Tories are leading in the polls. Let’s stop being hoodwinked by Premier Ford’s smokescreens, and challenge him to do anything that actually helps everyone. Philip Cole, Strathroy Ont. Dear Canada, this American applauds you An American, I have been to Ontario several times as a child. I rode the Maid of the Mist with my future wife and had great meals with her in old town Montreal for our 50th anniversary. But never have I been as happy to be your neighbour as when Ontario aired that anti-tariff ad. You’ve got elbows up and I’m glad you stuck one in the eye of the Orange Menace. Keep at it until enough of us can bodycheck the bum out with our votes in the next election. James Cartwright, Canfield, OH We’re not doing enough to support gifted students I find it interesting that while many people decry an audition or merit-based entry system for arts and academic specialty programs, there has never (to my knowledge) been a passionate call for lotteries for school sports teams. The players are selected based on how good they are because the coaches, players, schools and spectators want them to win. So why shouldn’t we allow kids who are similarly gifted in arts and academics to be supported and thrive? Kenneth Oppel, Toronto
