Canada-U.S. defence and trade ties discussed in letters to the editor

A Feb. 5 letters page gathers readers' reactions to a provincial politician's move to the federal Liberals, debate over fighter-jet procurement and Canada–U.S. defence links, concerns about nuclear weapons and preparedness, and an anecdote about durable appliances.

Letters published Feb. 5 cover several current debates and local observations. Readers comment on a provincial politician's jump to the federal Liberals and the response from other party figures. Several letters debate Canada’s fighter-jet choices and how defence procurement affects industrial capacity and ties with the United States. Other contributors write about nuclear weapons policy, national preparedness and a personal note on long‑lasting appliances. Notable points: - One letter criticized Doly Begum’s move from the Ontario NDP to run as a federal Liberal, calling it abrupt and saying local party members would have appreciated consultation; the letter referenced MP Don Davies' remarks. - Correspondents debated fighter-jet options: some argued the Swedish Gripen offer could revive domestic aerospace jobs, provide Arctic-capable design and give Canadian control over software; others warned that departing from the Canadian Armed Forces’ evaluation of the F-35 would repeat past procurement problems and could affect interoperability with the United States. - A writer noted two perceived certainties: ongoing defence connection with the U.S. and the U.S. remaining Canada’s largest export market, as part of the fighter-jet discussion. - Several letters opposed proposals to pursue nuclear weapons, citing the catastrophic risks of nuclear war, urging pressure on nuclear states to reduce stockpiles, and noting that the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons entered into force five years ago with many U.N. members aligned with it. - Other contributions included a reader who reviewed a Canadian Forces College document on societal preparedness and a personal letter describing a decades-old refrigerator still in use as a comment on planned obsolescence. Summary: The letters reflect a range of public views on political and defence questions, including party politics, procurement choices and nuclear policy, alongside local and personal concerns. Undetermined at this time.