A big ‘ kerfuffle’
Re: Trudeau defies truth just like Trump. John Robson, Jan. 19; PM discriminates against people of faith. National Post Editorial, Jan. 20 John Robson is mistakenly invoking Trump to describe Justin Trudeau’s assault on the freedom of religious belief of Canadians by requiring applicants for grants from public funds to certify compliance with government- defined values of women’s rights on abortion.
Trump became the first sitting U. S. President to address and support the Right to Life March i n Washington, D. C., invoking the American declaration of the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, to include the life of the baby in the womb. Yesterday he signed an executive order in support of health workers’ rights to refuse procedures such as abortion on the basis of religious belief and conscience.
Trump horrifies the elite intelligentsia because he does not follow their lead, as Trudeau does, on matters of political importance. He is bringing some balance to the leftist shift being engineered by progressives by focusing on individual freedom instead of dictates from the progressive Politburo. Jiti Khanna, Vancouver Let’s hope this latest “kerfuffle” on summer internship grants gives birth ( pardon the expression) to a fresh bout of thinking regarding the Trudeau government. They are running roughshod over the rights of any constituency deemed to be in their way; think small business tax changes, or anyone who doesn’t buy into their climate change orthodoxy, or the M-103 Islamophobia hearings. It certainly makes this reader yearn for the days of that “mean- spirited” Stephen Harper. Jeff Barker, Mississauga, Ont. In my opinion, it is wrong that all levels of government hand over taxpayer dollars to various groups.
Sitting MPs can point to these grants as proof of their effectiveness in getting taxpayer dollars for their communities. If taxpayer dollars are to be distributed to various groups, the groups should not have to adhere to the views of the party in power by checking off a box that contradicts their beliefs.
Was the Aga Khan asked to check off this box on abortion rights when his charity received millions in Canadian taxpayer dollars? Were auto parts manufacturers and automobile assemblers asked to check off a similar box when they received government grants? How are dollars given to artists and Indigenous groups treated?
Not every Canadian is going to agree with the government stance on issues nor are all Canadians likely to agree on all the current legis- lation that we have. Mr. Trudeau continues to state that diversity is a strength but his actions are aimed at eliminating that diversity. Rick Hird, Whitby, Ont. As a proud Canadian I feel offended by the prime minister and his government’s actions in requiring ideological acceptance to immoral policies ( as perceived by some) with the handing out of taxpayer money for student summer job grants only to those that accept this government’s twisted ideology. Gordon J. Akum, Toronto