Canada is turning its back on saving the planet

Re Trudeau’s boldest move, Editorial, May 30

After the crippling rage and ensuing cynicism I’ve harboured since Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s callous electoral reform betrayal last year, I didn’t feel anything at all when I found out he was buying a $4.5-billion pipeline. How silly of me to think that, in 2019, I would be able to vote for someone who would take our carbon budget seriously.

When Trudeau went to Paris, he made a major commitment to the rest of the world on our behalf. It was a commitment that his Liberals evidently had no intention of keeping (much like electoral reform), as he preached sanctimoniously to other countries of its critical imperative. Trudeau has made self- righteous liars out of all of us, and many don’t seem to care.

I am 34 and live in Toronto. A large portion of my meagre paycheque is depleted by riding expensive public transit, buying expensive vegan groceries and renting a tiny, overpriced apartment. But I don’t mind forking over the money because I feel like I am doing my part to tackle climate change. How silly of me.

Once a year, I try to take a camping trip to get away from the grind and pretend that I am living in harmony with nature for a few days. This month, I’ll bring my tent to Burnaby Mountain, along with some hard-earned cash that I have set aside to help pay the salaries of those who will arrest and fine me when I get there. At least I can say I helped create jobs, right? Alykhan Pabani, Toronto Your pro-pipeline editorial states: “To be clear: The new pipeline should be built, or more precisely, expanded.” I am at a loss as to why the Star would make such a statement when this investment flies in the face of the Trudeau government’s platform to help Canada (and the world) transition to a green-energy economy. By expanding pipelines and promoting the expanded use of fossil fuels, instead of shrinking our dependence on oil, we perpetuate the status quo, which has our planet sitting at the verge of collapse. When the sustainability of our planet and our children’s future is at stake, Trudeau’s boldest move should have taken a completely different direction. Fran Bazos, Newmarket It seems there is no political party prepared to turn its back on the enormous wealth buried below Alberta soil — no one prepared to leave the pristine boreal forests in the ground where they belong. The resulting toxicity to the land, native land rights and the increased world dependence on nonrenewable energy sources seem to have no influence on the decision-making process. It’s big business that dictates and the policymakers will ride roughshod over anyone who gets in the way. Timothy Phillips, Toronto