Calgary Sun Letters, Sept. 14, 2026: ‘K-Country fee has got to go’

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Kananaskis fee a travesty

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It’s about time to remove the $15/day fee to visit Kananaskis. The uncalled-for fee is such a bad act against Albertans or other park visitors that it makes you wonder if there is a hidden agenda. Is it really about surveillance? The UCP seems to be heading in the same direction as the federal government. The $15-every-day cost to get exercise and enjoy the park in Kananaskis is scandalous. It’s bad any time, but worse in light of the $2 billion surplus.

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SHIRLEY EWERT

(Families are being nickel-and-dimed enough)

Liberal bash in Banff

The reckless attack on the long-standing trade relationship between the U.S. and Canada by the Carney Liberals makes no sense. Unless it’s about something else entirely. Such as aiding the Chinese communist regime in undermining U.S.-Canadian relations in the furtherance of their global infiltration and domination. And Canada is a great base from which to do that: closer economic, diplomatic, political and military ties between Canada and the CCP. Right on the U.S.-Canadian border. Carney & Co. will continue with their own reckless spending as if an impending economic disaster was just a minor issue. Billions to prop up industries and economic sectors that will suffer. Still planning on bringing in record numbers of UN-needed third newcomers. Foreign aid, military support to Ukraine? Infomercials gaslighting Canadians on just how amazing life is in this country? Of course. Just announced: an end-of-the-summer bonus for all the hard-working ‘Honorables’ in the Carney cabinet. A retreat in Banff Sept. 10-11. Interesting location and timing, eh? A month before the referendum vote on Alberta separation. The 25th anniversary of the terrorist attack in New York. The cost of hosting an extravaganza of nothingness? No doubt millions to transport, feed-and-water the high fliers appropriately, ferry them from YYC to Banff, luxurious accommodations and the best vittles while they’re there. And then the whole process in reverse. Post-retreat, we’ll expect amazing announcements from Carney & Co. regarding the country’s plans to ‘Build Strong,’ and keep fighting ‘Bad Orange Man.’ The Honorables and their lackeys will have had a great little mini-vacation in the beautiful Rockies at taxpayer expense. One might have thought a retreat a little closer to Ottawa might have been prudent — say Harrington Lake. But then, these are the Carney Liberals. Tough times ahead … but we’re all in this together!.

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BARBARA JESSIMAN

(If nothing else, it’s not a great look)

Closed-door shenanigans

I don’t see how any political body of any level of government has any right to ‘closed-door secret meetings!’ Don’t they, by definition, work for the public that gave them the privilege to govern? Closed-door sessions would infer they are trying to hide something from their constituents. What do you think would happen if the employees of any business got together in secret to discuss the direction of the company that hired them? I’m thinking there’d be firings, layoffs, or at the very least some suspensions. In my opinion, the only time politicians should huddle behind closed doors is when they’re strategizing for an election. Anything else that has to do with the public interest should all be done in the open and above board. We the people, their bosses, have the right to know exactly what they’re up to, good or bad. If councils really want to hide behind closed doors to decide issues that concern the public then they should have the decency to at least post the transcripts so everyone knows what they’re up to. Elected representatives work for us, not us for them!

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JOHN HANCOCK

(Legal and personnel issues sometimes require closed-door meetings, but they should be few and far between)

We’re in trouble

Until the TDS disease in Canada disappears, Canada will be controlled by the Liberals, media, and the far left. Carney will never sign a trade deal with the USA. Carney will call an election and win another five years. Then he’ll retire after the election. Carney will move back home to the USA. Canadians will lose 100,000s of jobs, lose their homes, and our economy will crumble. America will have economically crushed Canada. Staunch Liberals will never admit to their grandkids they were wrong.

TOBIN McCARTNEY

(They’ve certainly harnessed the power of Trump to their benefit)

Nenshi-ism on full display

The article ‘Worth It’ in the SUN (Sept. 8) was a momentary pleasant break from the usual fare. Admiration for all the participants and hardy attendees for having braved the weather, making it a worthy presentation, blended in with Mr. Nenshi’s reminiscences of past events; and though somewhat self-congratulatory, were points of interest. One being that participants in Calgary’s parade 16 years ago had worn masks to conceal their identities from employers and others. There was no tone of negativity otherwise, including there being no mention of homosexuality’s illegality right up until 1969! But that would have proven informative to many, I’d bet! But then the article brought in the usual dreaded shadow of NENSHIism. No, he wasn’t blasting the premier or members of the UCP caucus as showing apparent homophobia for having not attended; but he accused the gov’t of ‘…throwing away people’s basic human rights.’ That was probably in reference to banning puberty blocking procedures for children as young as (14? or 15?) years of age, I imagine. Can he not hold his horses on the onslaught of anti-Smith UCP outrage unless it’s actually called for? He has been relatively calm since the orchestrated demonstration of Treaty Chiefs at the Legislature (demanding a charge of treason) proved to be a big flop. The job of an Opposition is to hold the gov’t to account, and provide suggestions for improvements to legislation; not to continuously attempt creating a public revolt aimed at overthrowing his rival!

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DAN DRINKALL

(The folks attending the Pride parade may disagree with you)

Shameful state

(Re: ‘U.S. Treasury secretary taunts Canadian Navy’s lack of firepower,’ calgarysun.com) As a former combat soldier in the Canadian Army in the mid-’70s. Today, our Armed Forces have become an embarrassment on the global stage. The majority of the blame for this decline in our military standards is primarily due to a succession of federal Liberal governments merely warming the throne in Ottawa. The LPC have never been advocates of our forces. Shame on the LPC for allowing this degradation from ever happening.

DONALD K. MUNROE, Three Hills

(Our military deserves better … from our gov’t and the U.S. Treasury secretary)

Come together

I recommend former-PM Stephen Harper host a national conference on the 3T’s (tariff, trade and tourism) anywhere in Canada. It is much-needed given the current crisis. Who knows, by hosting it might entice a few neighbouring states to send delegates, besides bringing the best minds across Canada. Harper is the perfect candidate to do so, and I hope he does it. I am sure the conference will not be a wasted effort.

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ANANT NAGPUR, Ottawa

(Can’t hurt to put our heads together)

Free-spending folly

The province just announced the first quarter’s financial results. The province projects a $2 billion surplus. Within hours, Naheed Nenshi and the teacher’s union demanded it be spent. Calgary city council is putting a $1.2-billion wish list to the province. Wholly irresponsible suggestions. If oil prices tank, this surplus could be gone. Given we are barely halfway through the government’s fiscal year I have some suggestions. Wait until April 1, 2027, the new fiscal year. If we still have a sizable surplus, apply some against next year’s reason-based spending. Then, if we still have a surplus, apply that against the crippling debt. For every $1 billion we reduce the debt, we save up to $31 million per year in interest payments. Any remaining funds can be deposited into the Heritage Savings Fund. Don’t increase the debt, that’s a copout and too easy to do.

TOM BURNS

(The NDP & the unions can demand money, but it’s the government’s job handle the public purse in a responsible manner)

Data on centres

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There are data centres in about 179 countries (thanks, Google), but do we need them? They are massive, consume electricity, and use millions of gallons of water every day. They also consume the data that we generate — books, music and anything they can scrape off the Internet to ‘learn.’ My usage of the Internet is low level and I find the AI answers are often based on search replies from the first page rather than detailed analysis. I am sure that others make better use of AI and data centres, but I am a normal citizen. I don’t want more expensive energy charges, less available water, especially given the world is getting hotter and the land they consume could be parkland.

DENNIS FITZGERALD, Melbourne, Australia

(Yes, it would seem we do need them. Our appetite for data, more AI, is only growing by the day)

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