All of the “win-win” talk surrounding the announcements of these plans boils down to Montreal getting the capital for the projects from our retirement plans rather than having to raise it in the marketplace. It seems inevitable that the government will end up having to use its powers of taxation to ensure the break-even financial operation of these projects. Will the rating agencies therefore then decide that the investments represent a de facto addition to our public debt? I hope not.

Ian Irvine, The Caisse de Dépôt and the Champlain Bridge.

Having committed ourselves to military involvement in Iraq, we Canadians should be asking ourselves exactly what goals we hope to achieve. Personally, after recently spending three weeks in the region, I am not convinced that “preserving the territorial integrity” of the present Iraqi state should be one of them.

Richard Foltz, an independent Iraqi Kurdistan.

This study shows that prolonged social isolation can have a negative effect on physical health. The message is clear: reach out to other people. The more quickly you manage to integrate socially in your new home, the healthier you'll be. It's easier said than done, but it's worth it.

Jean-Philippe Gouin, make friends, stay healthy.