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Chilled by oil and ice

Two front-page articles highlight the problem with the Conservative government: Falling Oil Price Endangers Federal Surplus; Denmark Makes Case For Ownership Of North Pole (Dec. 16).

The Conservatives are hostage to their promise of a balanced budget before the next election, no matter who (veterans) or what (sovereignty in the Far North) they neglect. Russia and Denmark are already claiming the North Pole as theirs. Where is our investment in people and patrols, and our plan for keeping it Canadian?

Cutting or underfunding ever-more programs to cope with the falling price of oil shortchanges our future for the sake of a Conservative "win" in 2015.

Lionel Koffler, Uxbridge, Ont.

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Re Falling Oil Price Endangers Federal Surplus (Dec. 16): Correction. Falling oil prices – and reckless Conservative spending and self-inflicted revenue cuts – have endangered our federal surplus.

Thor Kuhlmann, Vancouver

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With the spectre looming of a collapsed Russian economy, there has never been a better time for Canada to supply Europe with the oil and gas it currently gets from Russia (Russia Raises Key Rate As Ruble Falls To Record Low – Report on Business, Dec. 16).

John Grimley, Toronto

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Aussie kindness

It upsets me when an individual uses the name of God and religion to justify their evil desires and take innocent lives (Sydney Hostage Drama Ends In Deaths, Questions About Lone-Wolf Extremists – Dec. 16). The acts of this barbaric individual were completely against Islamic teachings.

I am, however, gratified with the response by Australians. Their compassionate response to Muslims after the siege at the Sydney café is a more powerful tool in eradicating terrorists than any bomb or physical battle. A bomb may kill a terrorist but kindness kills terrorism and empowers civilians around the world.

Fasih Malik, Calgary

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More than workers

Re How The Conservatives Changed The Nature Of Canadian Immigration (Dec. 16): Despite the radical overhaul of Canadian immigration policy, the Conservative government has continued to trumpet the "generosity" of our immigration system. What is missing in this claim is the on-the-ground reality of immigrant communities in Canada, including those struggling to be reunited with family members, refugees incarcerated indefinitely in provincial jails, caregivers who have lost their automatic ability to apply for permanent residency, and families unable to afford the prohibitive cost and labour of attaining citizenship.

Policy that treats immigrants only as workers to be injected into the labour market not only lacks compassion but is economically short-sighted. The highly skilled, "desirable" immigrants the government hopes to attract are not just workers: They are also people with families and hopes for building a life in a country that is inclusive and welcoming.

Bronwyn Bragg, Calgary

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Punishment centres

Re Sentenced To Fail, Again And Again (editorial, Dec. 15): Stephen Harper isn't just building hundreds of new jail spaces. He's fashioning one large one and its name is Canada. The "crimes" he wants to correct: compassion, tolerance and parliamentary democracy.

Ken DeLuca, Arnprior, Ont.

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For 15 years, I've been a prison volunteer. It's not surprising that Ashley Smith and Edward Snowshoe killed themselves during their long stays in solitary confinement. Hundreds more violations go unreported.

Our prisons are not "correctional" institutions, they are punishment centres. Restorative justice means treatment, rehabilitation and confinement are there to protect society. However, it also means preparing prisoners for re-entry into that society. Control doesn't have to be cruel, and it shouldn't be about revenge.

Most prisoners were physically or sexually abused as children. Many turned to alcohol or drugs to help them forget; the lion's share of crimes are done under the influence of these drugs.

Warehousing the mentally ill in prisons doesn't help them. These people desperately need professional help to address their problems. They, too, are victims.

Physical force and humiliation are not the answer. Neither are longer sentences and no parole.

Jim Purdie, Toronto

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Encourage EVs

Re Electric Cars Missed Their Moment. But Gas Taxes … (Dec. 15): The world will be a better place when there are more electric cars and when vehicles are less dependent on fuel. Declining gas prices, while welcome news for many, in all likelihood are short-lived.

I am the proud owner of a Tesla and I take exception to the comment that the car is suited to "a monied elite seeking a status symbol." There are many other more expensive, gas-dependent vehicles if one is seeking a status symbol. The Tesla is a wonderful car to drive.

You should be encouraging people to consider an electric vehicle (EV), not discouraging them.

Carole Lieberman, Vancouver

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Claims to the Pole

Re Denmark Makes Case For Ownership Of North Pole (front page, Dec. 16): The rationale for Prime Minister Stephen Harper's considerable interest in the future of Canada's Arctic is fairly straightforward, considering the bountiful untapped natural resources that lie beneath the disputed waters in this expansive area.

Unfortunately, the Harper government's cutbacks in funding for scientific research of all stripes, including the Arctic, may come back to haunt them. These extensive cuts, which have undermined decades of progressive work, have alarmed scientists from around the globe and tarnished our international scientific reputation.

Denmark has "officially" tabled its claim to the North Pole to the UN panel that will vet the claims to ensure their validity; Russia and Canada have yet to do the same. Ultimately, the country with the most thorough and compelling research to support its claim will likely have the best chance of winning the dispute.

With so much at stake, it would be sadly ironic if Canada showed up at this "gunfight" armed only with the same knife that was used to eviscerate so many key research departments.

Jeffrey Peckitt, Oakville, Ont.

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I see Denmark is claiming territorial rights over the North Pole. In August, 2007, Russia in effect did the same, depositing a metal flag by submarine at the Pole.

I'd like to make a personal claim on behalf of Canada. On July 2, 2007, I was at the North Pole (admittedly on the Russian icebreaker Yamal), where I dropped a Canadian quarter, this being a metal object with a representation on one side of the head of state of Canada, through a lead in the ice.

This was before the Russian submarine deposited its metal object. I believe, therefore, that I have priority – and consequently I claim the Pole for Canada.

David Brewer, Puslinch, Ont.

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