LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Coal workers left out in the cold Re: “NDP kills coal as rest of the world builds plants,” Mark Milke, Opinion, Sept. 16.
Thank you, Premier Rachel Notley, for giving Albertans the perfect gift idea for Christmas: a lovely piece of coal in each of the NDP MLA’s stocking.
And that gift would actually be worth so much more — a drop of heat on one day of the long winter ahead — than the “transition fund” for the unemployed in these towns as they join the already 202,000 in the unemployment line.
Notley and friends are enjoying the fruits of their labour; 1,600 new coal-fired plants in 62 countries are being planned, with China and India leading the pack — which includes even renewable heaven, Germany.
Alberta’s coal workers will have to be warmed by the fact that, although killing our coal will do little for global carbon emissions, their sacrifice is for the socialist utopia just around the corner. Bevelyn MacLise Park, Calgary
A great explanation of the arena debate Re: “The Calgary Flames aren’t poor and they aren’t going anywhere,” Scott Stinson, Opinion, Sept. 19.
Scott Stinson should run for mayor of Calgary.
This is the best commentary on this controversy so far! Joan Adams, Calgary
West Village site isn’t without virtue Re: “Arena negotiations being handled well,” Letter, Sept. 20.
Leaving aside Mayor Naheed Nenshi’s arena negotiating tactics, it should be pointed out there were some key misrepresentations in Jean Reid’s letter to the editor. In fact, Victoria Park was flooded in 2013, while the proposed CalgaryNEXT site was not.
It also strikes me as odd that opponents of CalgaryNEXT refer to the cleanup of the polluted land as a major drawback of that plan. Is it better to leave the polluted land as is? Michael Doty, Calgary
U.K. retirees treated unfairly in Canada Re: “‘Crazy’ to wait for Brexit to talk trade: U.K. envoy,” Sept. 18.
Before Canada finalizes a new trade deal with the United Kingdom, Canada should insist the U.K. treats its 147,000 pensioners living in Canada fairly.
Currently, the U.K. does not increase its state pension with annual cost of living increases to those who live in Canada, whereas Canada does increase its OAS and CPP benefits to Canadians who have retired to the U.K.
This costs the Canadian economy a significant amount and is unfair and unequal treatment of these pensioners. For example, the U.K. does increase its pension to its retirees in the U.S., Europe and many other countries. So why not to Canada? As part of the negotiations, let’s insist any new trade deal between the U.K. and Canada levels the playing field on pensions. John F. Bargman, Calgary
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