Cheers &Jeers

To all the participants in the 15th anniversary CHEERS: of the P.E.I. Marathon and associated events over the weekend. More than 2,400 runners took part in the race Sunday. Such a major undertaking couldn’t happen without the efforts of race director Myrtle Jenkins-Smith, her board, directors, manager, committee, sponsors and more than 300 volunteers who helped organize this major event. They all deserve a huge vote of thanks.

To all the critics of Canada’s foreign policy

JEERS: who stayed on the sidelines when Canada took a stand three months ago against Saudi Arabia over the arrest of a civil rights activist with close ties to Canadian citizens. Canada stood alone as the Saudis over-reacted by suspending diplomatic relations, curbing trade and ordering home more than 8,500 Saudi students. If other countries had supported Canada then, perhaps we wouldn’t have seen the emboldened Saudis murder a well-known journalist in a Saudi Arabian consulate in Turkey. The Turks have audio and video evidence that Jamal Khashoggi was murdered. The heinous act finally resulted in world-wide condemnation and action. Many countries are pulling out of a high-profile investment summit in Riyadh later this month. Will the Saudis now retaliate by expelling their ambassadors and recalling students and suspending trade? Hardly. If other countries, including the U.S., had shown support for both human rights and Canada in early August, perhaps we wouldn’t be in this crisis today.

To P.E.I. Senator Percy Downe who saw

CHEERS: his overseas tax evasion bill pass committee stage in the Senate. After hearing from 12 witnesses, the Senate Finance Committee passed Sen. Downe’s bill, the Fairness for All Canadian Taxpayers Act, and referred it back to the Senate for the final vote. If it passes the Senate at third reading, Bill S-243 would then be sent to the House of Commons. Bill S-243 would require the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to report on all convictions for overseas tax evasion, as well as to report to Parliament regularly on the tax gap. Thanks to Sen. Downe, it’s becoming a higher priority that government becomes concerned about transparency, maximizing its revenues and ensuring the tax system is fair for all.

To host Mill River’s team which won the

CHEERS: ‘P.E.I.’s Finest Golf ’ tournament on Saturday against Brudenell and Crowbush. Each club sends a 13-person team of men and women, based on results in their club championship — along with the club pro. Mill River, which has never lost the event on home turf, collected 17 points while Brudenell finished with 12 and Crowbush earned the bronze medal with 10.