Your letters for July 16, 2022

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Governments oblivious to consumer stress

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Re: Retailers ‘fleece’ local drivers with pump prices; ‘Gas stations must be held accountable for Calgary’s high prices, says expert, July 4

I was interested in Dan McTeague’s comments about being fleeced at gas stations. I would call it ripped. I don’t think all the money we pay for the carbon tax goes there. I think a lot of that money just contributes to the profits of the big oil companies.

Our prime minister talks tough, but I don’t think he will do anything. He probably has shares in those companies. To make matters worse, the federal government will not lower the federal gas tax. Our prime minister has lost touch with the struggles of most Canadians. He has been too busy traveling to hang out with world leaders pretending they are solving the world’s problems. As he passes the facade, he ignores the problems at home.

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John Patterson Calgary

Poilievre needs to be more statesman

Re: “Poilievre Can’t Win in Urban Canada”, Letters, Jul 13

I cannot agree that Jean Charest is more likely than Pierre Poilievre to win the next federal election because he is more moderate. They both have their assets and liabilities and the most likely winner is the one who can most effectively improve their weaknesses. Charest has a more statesmanlike mannerism, but he comes across as a hesitant politician, vacillating between opinions. Poilievre comes across as genuine and strongly committed to good conservative values. However, he does have a problem with her sometimes harsh rhetoric and aggressive nature of his.

I think Poilievre has a better chance of winning, but only if he modifies his political style to more closely resemble former Prime Minister Stephen Harper. He should do an excellent job of explaining why a more practical energy policy and an economic policy designed to improve productivity will benefit all Canadians. He should impress Canadians with his intelligence and reasoning and drop aggressive personal attacks.

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If you want to be prime minister, you have to act respected.

Peter Mannistu, Calgary

research needed

I laughed out loud reading the Herald where Councilman Gian-Carlo Carra and his developer friend tried to defend their secret land deal; $300,000 money transfer from Carra to said friend and no paperwork! “They are making a mountain out of a grain of sand,” protests the couple. “Everyone knew what was going on”, so there is nothing to see here! This after Carra was investigated by the city’s integrity commissioner and sanctioned by the council.

Carra must resign until a full police investigation is launched. Protesting his innocence does not make him such and will not make it suddenly disappear. Calgarians deserve to know more about this secret and, I’d say, shady deal.

Nancy Forbes Calgary

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The harvest of the city has gone to seed

What the hell is going on with Calgary’s boulevards and green space mowing program?

I have never seen a worse job maintaining our green spaces in my 50 years living in this city. Drive down Chrowchild Trail between Stoney and Shaganappi and you will see one of the worst lawn mowing jobs you have ever seen. If this is what hiring private contractors gets us, we’d better go back to city employees. And I’m not a union supporter in any way.

Also, you may want to override the guy this program is supposed to monitor.

Werner Pointmeier, Calgary

Trudeau’s broadcast is not neutral