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Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks during an announcement at the offices of telecommunications firm Ericsson Canada in Kanata, Ont. on April 17.LARS HAGBERG/Reuters

Re Macrons faux pas and Beijings trap (April 14): The most troubling aspect of Emmanuel Macrons efforts to enlist Chinese help in ending the war in Ukraine is the price he is willing to pay, which would be to remain silent about Chinas threatened aggression against Taiwan.

Chinas policy toward Taiwan is motivated by the same sentiment fuelling Russias aggression against Ukraine: Claiming another country as its own, either outright or as a sub-sovereign dependency.

Chinese engagement in any peace process necessarily raises questions about Chinese intentions toward Taiwan. Silence should therefore not be an option.

It not only imperils Taiwan, but also Western efforts to maintain a rule-based system of international relations.

Patrick Bendin Ottawa

Re Fiscal gravity catches up to the Liberals (Editorial, April 18): I only wish the Trudeau Liberals were like Wile E. Coyote and gravity was about to stop them running on air.

Mr. Coyote never catches the elusive prize hes after whereas the Liberals, despite falling off all kinds of fiscal and ethical cliffs, keep getting re-elected.

Until Canadians show some gravitas and send the Liberals packing, why wouldnt they continue to order expensive fiscal plans from the Acme Company?

Rudy Buller Toronto

Re Meet the Chinese billionaire who donated to the Trudeau Foundation (April 17): I find the criticism being levelled at the Trudeau Foundation for this donation to be unfair.

The network of fellows, mentors and scholars convened by the foundation is very diverse and results in exemplary research outcomes that would not be possible without its leadership. When the foundation accepted this donation, the context was different.

As well, some universities across this country have accepted much larger donations than this one to the foundation. Why is there not a clamour of voices speaking up for the unique model that the foundation has developed?

As Stephen Toope, the foundations first president, stated: The growth of social media and the rapid polarization of our political sphere have demonstrated more than ever that debate in the absence of civility can be not only unproductive but hugely damaging.

Ann Dale Trudeau fellow alumna (2004); Canada Research Chair (2014), Royal Roads University Victoria

Re The tide is turning, but the war on drug overdoses is far from over (Editorial, April 17): This is a toxic drug crisis, not just an overdose crisis.

The illegal drug supply is contaminated with opioid analogues such as fentanyl and carfentanyl, and increasingly veterinary tranquilizers and benzodiazepines, which complicate the effects of highly potent and thus highly dangerous opioids.

Yes, we need more access to evidence-based treatment for addiction and mental heath, community supports and supportive housing. But many dependent persons are not wanting treatment. And more heroin-assisted treatment is needed for opioid use disorder, where relapse rates are high.

Mandatory treatment can also increase risks of fatal poisoning postdischarge and has dubious evidence of efficacy. And data show that a significant proportion of these deaths do not involve persons with opioid use disorder.

Without significant changes to drug laws and a rapid expansion of safe supply, in addition to the expansion of effective treatments and supports, I fear we will face many more avoidable deaths.

Perry Kendall CM, OBC, FRCPC; former B.C. provincial health officer Victoria

Re The unseen victims of homeless encampments (April 14): Having followed Reginas Camp Hope saga in 2021, I can say there are certainly unwelcome consequences for those surrounding encampments. We should be both concerned for their wellbeing and appalled by the existence of such tent cities.

However, these are desperate people with often nowhere to go and no one to turn to. Affordable housing availability continues to decrease, shelters are frequently at capacity and few are ever offered a place to stay and turned it down.

Governments should stop encampments from forming in the first place. Greater income supports, access to affordable, stable housing, rent relief and better mental health and addictions supports (among other solutions) would be much sounder policy than waiting for encampments to form, disbanding them and then dusting off our hands.

Long-term and expensive solutions are never politically favourable, but encouraging and supporting human dignity should be.

Luke DeCorby Regina

Re Ottawa restores funding to Hockey Canada with conditions (April 17): It appears that with this decision, like so many involving sexual misconduct allegations, victims are the last to be consulted.

Were these women asked for their views? Were advocates who spend their days and nights trying to end the curse of sexualized wrongdoing invited to lend their expertise?

It seems not. This is part of a larger problem of tone-deafness when it comes to the #MeToo reckoning.

Unlike the United States and other countries, Canada has not yet banned the type of non-disclosure agreements that allowed Hockey Canada to cover up its skeletons. These devices allow perpetrators to flourish in a culture of fear and silence.

Instead of stumbling from crisis to crisis, as it has with scandals in the RCMP, military and Hockey Canada, the government should take a comprehensive and trauma-informed approach to ending gender violence and sexual harassment.

It can start by banning NDAs.

Kathleen Finlay Founder, Zer0Now Campaign Toronto

Re Teck CEO confident biggest B shareholder China Investment Corp. will support split, not side with Glencore (April 18): The significant international interest in the mining assets of Teck Resources is troubling to me.

We have already witnessed a thorough hollowing out of Canadian mining, including Alcan, Falconbridge, Inco and Noranda. More recently, the government was asleep at the switch while Chinese companies acquired significant interests in mineral prospects focused on the new economy and climate change.

Teck, with its experience and shift to copper and other new key minerals, should be considered a key Canadian asset and not be sold. It should be protected under national security provisions, so that the country has the capability to deliver on our new-age mineral promises and climate-related opportunities.

David Drinkwater Victoria

Re Profiles in courage (Editorial cartoon, April 18): It doesnt take courage for Leafs fans to support our team. That loyalty comes straight from the heart.

What takes courage is enduring the onslaught of jibes, jeers and friendly jesting from everyone outside Leafs Nation including, apparently, you!

Jean Mills Guelph, Ont.

Letters to the Editor should be exclusive to The Globe and Mail. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. Keep letters to 150 words or fewer. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. To submit a letter by e-mail, click here: letters@globeandmail.com

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