9 hours Ago
I would like to thank the Star for including a full-page Canadian flag in the Feb. 15 issue. I don’t consider myself a flag-waver and generally display my patriotism verbally.
I do, however, own an enormous Canadian flag that once flew over Centre Block on Parliament Hill and that was presented to me after 40 years of military service. Although I am extremely proud to own it, it is too large for me to display. Hence my delight upon opening the Star and discovering the full-colour flag.
I felt a surge of national pride and immediately taped the paper version to my front door. Thank you, Canada. Maurice Sacco, Toronto Thank you for the Canadian flag insert in the Saturday Star.
The closest thing we had previously was our Air Canada luggage tags. We tried to buy a flag when everyone was encouraged to show solidarity, but no surprise, everything was sold out. So instead, we taped the Star insert to one of our windows in honour of Flag Day, and we’ve decided to leave it there indefinitely.
We’re not the types who would ever even display a lawn sign during an election, but this moment feels different. Nancy Miller, Toronto Ontario NDP candidate withdraws in Eglinton–Lawrence, citing close PC-Liberal race, Feb. 14 NDP hopeful Natasha Doyle-Merrick provided some badly needed leadership by withdrawing her candidacy in Eglinton–Lawrence to give the Liberal candidate a better chance of defeating their Progressive Conservative rival in the upcoming Ontario election.
We need this kind of leadership from progressive candidates now more than ever. It’s high time the provincial and federal progressive parties united and formed a common front against the conservative parties, which are moving more to the right. As author Susan Weiman writes in her recent book “The Left Is Not Woke,” progressive movements need to stop fighting among themselves and unite.
We need to do this in Ontario and Canada before it’s too late. Joanne Clarke, Toronto Fans at 4 Nations boo U.S.
anthem before three fights open spirited U.S.-Canada game, Feb.
15 I vehemently disagree with the idea of booing the American national anthem at sporting events. However, I do think Canadian fans are right to show some displeasure. I’ve seen some situations in which people who want to protest something simply turn their backs on it.
I think if Canadian fans were to turn their backs on the United States flag and remain absolutely silent while the anthem played, that would be a highly effective form of protest. Michael Neill, Thornhill What’s up with Canadians booing the U.S.
national anthem? If you have a beef with President Donald Trump, then boo him — don’t boo the American people, who, for the most part, love our Canadian neighbours. Like you, most of us would prefer that Canada remain Canada and not become the 51st state. Americans and Canadians have always gotten along like siblings, so let’s try to keep it that way and keep politics out of this.
John Lemandri, Williamsburg, VA The past few weeks have been very troubling for Canadians, given what Trump is imposing on our country and our people. It’s not only the tariffs; it’s also the insulting things he says about Canada. The result: Trump has unwittingly united us.
However, booing the U.S. national anthem is wrong.
The American people are not at fault. It’s Trump who is taking these actions and making outrageous statements. The NHL and NBA players are not the cause of your anger: they’re simply doing their job.
If you choose to watch the game at home or in person, please show respect for the anthems and show your displeasure in other ways. Let’s show the world that Canadians are better this. Please stand, remove your hat and either sing or stay quiet while the anthems play.
Susan Beals, Richmond Hill I completely understand the sentiment of Canadian fans booing American teams at sporting events. It’s a way to let Trump and his ilk know how we feel and, really, how often do we really get the chance to express ourselves in a way that reaches so many people? I don’t like to hear it, though, as it seems very rude and lowers us to a level that we Canadians don’t generally stoop to. I wonder whether there might be a more gentle (dare I say polite?) or less mean way to convey our ire.
How about we decline to sing their anthem, and instead stay silent and turn our backs to the whole event? Annie Barrett, Alliston I would like to shout out my thanks to the delivery people who are doing such a great job despite these snowy conditions. In particular, I want to single out our Star delivery person. Here in Collingwood, we always get more snow than folk down south, but this year it’s been far worse than usual.
This morning, my driveway was literally impassible, and I feared the worst for our copy of the newspaper. I was amazed to see what happened next: it was apparent that our delivery person had stopped on the road and walked the paper to our very front door. Much appreciated, and beyond the call of duty! Al Truscott, Collingwood.
