Letters: French-only mailouts add to bitter political climate

Re: “Quebec election mailouts go French-only” (The Gazette, Sept. 2)

A QR code is not enough.

I’ve called Élections Québec to request my voter information be mailed in English. The agent consulted with her supervisor and told me that this service was not “currently” available. All they can provide is the QR code. As advised, I submitted a complaint form regarding this matter.

I really shouldn’t have to point out that not everyone is online, and not everyone knows how to access a website by QR code. This puts anglophone Quebecers at a disadvantage, one we really don’t need in this political climate.

I respect that Élections Québec believes it is following the law, but it should at least mail the information to those who request it.

That said, I had a lovely conversation with the agent, in English, and would encourage any eligible anglos to contact Élections Québec to make a similar request.

Pauline Brock, Laval

Who would protect Quebec?

Re: “Quebec being ‘sacrificed’: PQ leader” (The Gazette, Aug. 21)

It’s frightening to hear Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon say trade negotiations with the U.S. “would be different if Quebec were a country.”

It seems that nationalism and a desire to separate from Canada completely exclude any pragmatism, logic and realism.

St-Pierre Plamondon cites Denmark as an example of a country standing up to Donald Trump. Denmark is an EU country and NATO member. Who would help an independent Quebec?

Mike Rusinowicz, Beaconsfield

Nix class trips to the U.S.

Re: “Quebec will be hit hardest by new tariff, report warns” (The Gazette, Sept. 1)

Canadians and our institutions should all do their part to support our government in the trade war. It is encouraging that so many individuals and families have reduced or eliminated travel to the States.

I hope our schools will be doing their part by eliminating class trips to U.S. destinations for as long as necessary.

Susan Montgomery, Montreal West

Let wine age on shelves

Re: “Quebec undecided on allowing U.S. booze” (The Gazette, Aug. 21)

Since Quebec is the province most impacted by tariffs, I say bring back the booze. It doesn’t mean anyone needs to buy it. I certainly won’t.

Joyce Stempkowsky, N.D.G.

New Great Lakes acronym

Re: ” ‘Lake America’ on official sites a sign Quebec using too much U.S. tech: advocate” (The Gazette, Sept. 1)

As youngsters, we learned the acronym HOMES for Lakes Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie and Superior. Canadian children will still learn it this way.

American schoolchildren will have to learn SHAME, with the huge ego of their president right in the middle.

Daryl Locklear, Dorval

When your doctor retires

Re: “Delays turn Quebecers away from 811 service” (The Gazette, Aug. 12)

It used to mean something that you mattered as a person, not as a set of symptoms. My family doctor retired this year, as have so many others, and a lot has been lost.

Not having a family doctor means being assigned to a group of doctors who do not know you and often refer you somewhere else. If you have more than one ailment, it’s sometimes necessary to make another appointment and often you get another referral — and many seniors have more than one pressing issue.

It feels like our system has become one big and slow triage machine on the phone, online or at a clinic. For many seniors, there’s no feeling of security when things start getting difficult.

Our health-care system must do better. It has to be there for us now and in the future, and our doctors have to be treated like the caring, skilled people they are.

Marlene Gerson, Montreal

Kudos for revised motion

Re: “City council adopts amended Gaza motion” (The Gazette, Aug. 26)

Although I would have preferred no motion concerning the Gaza conundrum, I heartily applaud Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada for insisting that the adopted motion include a formulation of fairness that seems rare in Quebec politics.

George McArthur, Montreal

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