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NCC just wants to blame the public

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Re: Our planning tsar, NCC, keeps asking us to plan LeBreton. Why? Dec 3

Kelly Egan made it. The only thing he missed is the presumed real reason NCC has thrown the idea out that John Q Public should come up with the ideas. As long as the public argues about what “should” be done (since the late 1960s), NCC can continue to do nothing and point the finger at John Q Public.

DJ Phillips, Gloucester

Call Robertson Hall what it once was

Re: Carleton University renamed building honoring the famous official to better reflect the school’s diversity, December 3rd.

As a retired employee at the university, employed from 1966 to 1996, I saw a number of buildings being erected. Robertson Hall, originally known as the Administration Building, was officially opened in August 1969. In 1993, the building was rededicated in honor of Gordon Robertson’s tireless commitment to Carleton University. Why not just rename it to the administration building, not name it after something or someone that was never really part of the main reason it was built?

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Al Robertson, Ottawa

Retiring with this famous name hurts Carleton

How sad that the National Capital University with the weakest identity in the name of diversity and reconciliation should turn its back on Gordon Robertson, whose support for the Faculty of Public Administration at Carleton helped put it on the map. One would think that the university would be proud to present the name of one of the most prominent and effective Clerks of the Privy Council and an ardent defender of the political neutrality of the public service.

Trying to identify more closely with diversity and reconciliation has its place, but when one pulls the names of supporters who give the university status, not much will be achieved to improve Carleton’s performance or attract the best and most talented to its ranks.

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Raphael Girard, Ottawa

Robertson was an excellent Canadian

When I began my federal public career, Gordon Robertson was (and remains) an excellent role model.

He advised Prime Ministers of Mackenzie King to Pierre Trudeau. His record in public service, especially his deep understanding of federal-provincial relations, helped shape the modern Canadian state. He later served as Chancellor of Carleton University.

Unfortunately, none of this seems to matter in this era of historical revisionism. In the name of “reconciliation” and “diversity” he has been highlighted and his name removed from the hall named in his honor.

Your report claims that this decision was made with the support of his children. What else could they say when their father’s name and reputation have been treated in such a shameful way?

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Gordon Robertson was a model official and excellent Canadian. He deserved better. He certainly deserved better from Carleton.

Michael Kaczorowski, Ottawa

Keep building names simple, perhaps

Do not name buildings or bridges or monuments after people. Instead, you might just call them: Building 1, 2, or 10? Or maybe Science Building, Journalism House etc.?

It would eliminate hurt feelings and confusion.

Jo Hamilton, Ottawa

What would The Beatles write about COVID?

The next documentary about The Beatles should be called “GET VAXXED.”

“Get waxed, get vxxed, get vxxed if you want to live long. Get angry, Jo Jo!”

Terry Toll, Campbell’s Bay