Readers Speak Out: July 28, 2019

Un-Canadian uniform

In May our Knights of Columbus assembly held its last meeting of the 2018-19 Columbian year. Among the discussions, the most important one concerned the new Fourth Degree regalia.

All our members feel that the new, imposed Honour Guard regalia lacks prestige and is short on patriotism for us Canadians. How can we show our patriotism, as Knights of Columbus, when the new uniform is seen as boyish and reflects the military (not ours)?

Consequently, our assembly members are less than enthused about acquiring and wearing the new regalia. It is seen as short on pride and un-Canadian.

Where is our Canadian pride in this new uniform?

Aimé Déry,

Edmonton, Alta.

Taxing carbon

Re: Carbon tax gains are lost in the pipeline (July 14–21):

Thanks for Cathy Majtenyi’s excellent piece. Two additional points of interest for Catholic Register readers:

1. Congratulations to the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul (Kingston) who joined the Canadian Environmental Lawyers Association to successfully challenged the Ontario government’s claim that the federal government had no right to levy a carbon tax. 

2. One month before the last federal election, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops signed an open letter (with dozens of other national faith groups) which respectfully called for “more stringent and ambitious emission targets in Canada,” including “policies which could include a price on carbon emissions…”

On the carbon tax issue, Canadian faith leaders seem to have little disagreement. Will Canadian voters?

Joe Gunn,

Ottawa, Ont.

Time running out

Re: The Catholic traveller (June 30-July 7): 

What stood out for me in this article was that Canada, a country of approximately 37 million citizens, spent $80 billion last year on travel and tourism. This is a huge carbon footprint. 

In 2015 Pope Francis issued Laudato Si’ on care for our common home. I find very little attention, concern or reporting is given to this document by adults, journalists, politicians, Church or institution leaders. It is young people who see polluting as a crisis and are pushing for major changes. Shouldn’t us adults also be concerned? Environmentalists say we have a window of about 10 years to make significant changes or it could be too late. 

I would appreciate it if The Register would run regular articles informing readers about this crisis, as well as offering effective and meaningful ways we can take care of our common home. 

Ron Stephens,

Edmonton, Alta.

Practical solutions

Re: We all share in the fate of Indigenous women (June 16): 

Glen Argan’s explanation for the injustices (committed against Indigenous women) are understandable but what is being done to rectify the situation? 

I lived for many years in northern B.C. where exists “the highway of tears” and the consequential disappearance of many young women. 

Recently I spoke to two women who had fostered Indigenous children over a 30-year period. I asked them what they would suggest as a means of preventing such violence. They both said that more trained social workers would help to fill the obvious lack of family support. 

Governments should consult with people who have been close to practical solutions. An article in the June 9 issue of The Register moralized on the subject but again no practical solutions were offered.

Anna Patricia Stanyer, 

Richmond, B.C.