I am frustrated at Prime Minister Mark Carney’s fighting “Canada strong” talk and then not even collecting the first billion-dollar digital services tax that had been in the works for years, telling the population that it was in the interests of a good trade deal with the U.S.

What did we get in return for this? 35% tariffs from President Donald Trump. We have had continuous proof from Trump that he will not remove tariffs and will not negotiate fairly.

Carney rolled over like a lap dog over this and in the presser in the Oval Office hardly was given the chance to speak at all. This is recent history and Canadian experience of Trump and his regime.

Carney badly misjudged the situation. Canada could have been several billion dollars richer and then cancelled the digital services tax.

If he had done that, having collected the first instalment of the tax it would have been interesting to have seen Trump’s reaction. I surmise a 35% tariff would not have been the response.

Diana Atkin

Victoria

Two letters in the Times Colonist caught my attention.

One was the suggestion to move the Our Place building and services elsewhere. Where do you think they can move to? Nobody wants the folks who need their services in their backyard.

The second item was regarding involuntary treatment, that it does not work. Of course it does not work when you send clients back into the same old environment.

Everyone must appreciate we are talking about human beings who have suffered abuse from early childhood, discrimination, lack of proper housing, lack of sufficient health, mental and addiction services long term.

You cannot treat someone and discharge them back into their old neighbourhood, without proper housing and support. That just dooms them to failure.

If you read reports from Our Place Society about the number of clients they have helped to lead healthier lives, return to school, return to work, you would appreciate the value of their services.

So, until we do the serious work of increasing the number of health workers, supportive........

© Times Colonist