ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½

Now that the International Court of Justice has ruled that governments are responsible for acting to stop climate change, it is time for the people of Canada, especially the Indigenous and young people, to sue the federal government as well the provincial governments of British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario in order to receive compensation for the harm we have suffered from climate change. Also, this will help stop the current production and use of gas, oil, and coal and any further development of these harmful carbon products. This will have to happen if human beings are going to survive.

Wolfe Erlichman, Godfrey, ONÌý

International Court of Justice rules what we already knew

UN’s top court says failing to protect planet from climate change could violate international law,ÌýJuly 23

Moms whose kids’ soccer games were cancelled due to wildfire smoke knew already that a clean healthy environment is essential for the enjoyment of other human rights. Glad to see that recognized at the highest level.

Tracy Duncan,ÌýCalgary, ABÌý

We’ve failed to act on climate change for 50 years

Forty-eight years ago, oil and gas industry scientists already knew climate change existed, was caused by fossil fuel pollution, and would pose an existential threat to humanity. Now, their funding of powerful lobbying groups, think tanks, and PR firms continues to undermine even the most minor of environmental progress.

Twenty-eight years ago, governments all over the world agreed that climate change was a monumental problem and that we had to take action collectively to stop it. Now, most of those promises are yet unrealized, with more and more devastating climate impacts being felt every day.

One year ago, wildfires made larger and hotter by our planet’s overheating led to Jasper burning to the ground. Now, the UN’s top court declared that “The human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment is essential� and that failure to meet climate obligations could be grounds for litigation.

Today, I say, finally.

Mark Taylor, Calgary

If Canada wants to become an energy superpower, Carney must scrap the emissions cap

Mark Carney has a plan for Canada’s energy sector, but our economy needs more than pipelines and hydro to thrive, July 29

At a 2025 campaign stop in Calgary, Alberta, Mark Carney stated, “Canada has a tremendous opportunity to be the world’s leading energy superpower.�

Carney is absolutely right about Canada’s potential but actually realizing it will require bold action to unlock our natural resources. One way to do this is by immediately scrapping the emissions cap on this country’s oil and gas sector. The emissions cap would ravage the economy by limiting emissions to 35 to 38 per cent below 2019 levels by 2030.

The Fraser Institute predicts losses of up to $1 trillion between 2030 and 2040, the Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) forecasts a reduction of about 40,300 jobs by 2032, and Deloitte estimates 2,400 Albertans will be forced to move to other provinces annually for employment opportunities. The bottom line is that an emissions cap makes it impossible for Canada to become an energy superpower.

Prime Minister Carney axed the tax; now it’s time for him to scrap the cap.

IyanÌýVelji, Calgary, AB

Avoiding taxes is the wealthy’s favourite sport

Ultra-rich must share in cost of military spending, July 24

As always Linda McQuaig is right on the money. Why are we expected to sacrifice public services we all depend on to pay for a revenue shortfall that was largely created by government tax cuts? Since 1980 The wealthy and their corporations have had their tax rate cut by more than 50 per cent and as revealed in the Star’s Panama Papers avoiding taxes altogether in offshore accounts. There would likely be no deficit had this not occurred. The working-class were given small tax cuts promising prosperity, while the wealthy and their corporations received massive tax cuts. The wealthy and their corporations continue to enjoy record profits while at the same time engaging in their favourite sport: Avoiding taxes and keeping their record profits. It is long past time to reverse tax cuts on the wealthy and their corporations and return to a truly progressive tax system so they pay their fair share. This will restore funding to rebuild our public services that made Canada a good place to live.

Paul Kahnert, Markham

Increase in Canadian defence expenditures won’t happen until 2035

Prime Minister Mark Carney did not promise to increase Canadian defence expenditures to five per cent of annual GDP. He promised that whoever happens to be in charge of Canada’s government in 2035 will do this.

Trudeau’s government promised a carbon tax that would remain the cornerstone of Canada’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions by 2050 and then promptly broke its own promise with respect to heating fuel. Not long after, Carney’s government trashed the whole consumer carbon tax. If Linda McQuaig wants to worry about who will pay for Canada’s promised defence spending, she should cool her hers jets until at least 2034. Meanwhile, Canada’s department of defence doesn’t even know how to fill 15,000 vacant positions in its duty roster and Carney is busy devising bookkeeping sleight of hand to make it look as though Canada will meet its two per cent NATO target by 2026.

Patrick Cowan, North York

High Park train, future shuttle, for a fee

Many people still find their way into High Park, July 24

In the letter regarding High Park, it was mentioned that one could take a train ride around the park. But what was not mentioned was the train ride is $9 for an adult and $6 for a child. So if youÌýare a family of four that equals $30. It was not mentioned that the park,ÌýearlyÌýin the morning, is still being used as a private velodrome and it can get pretty scary. I walk in the early morning and have to really pay attention as they fly around.

Also the powers that be have decided to run shuttle buses in the future. It is for a fee. So instead of coming by car, entering off Bloor Street West and parking in those convenientlyÌýprovidedÌýparking spots, one will be loading theirÌýstroller, children, coolers and maybe the dog into a shuttleÌýbusÌýfor a price afterÌýtaking a bus and then a subway to get to the park.

Not everyone in ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½Ìýcan take a bus and then the subwayÌýto the park and afford the train andÌýsoonÌýtheÌýshuttle. It is now a park not for everyone.

Gionilda Stolee, ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½Ìý