An open letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney

 Dear Prime Minister

Canada is in crisis.  It would be an excellent idea address the nation as soon as possible.  By that, I mean a special televised television address.  I realize that you have a lot on your plate right now, but the wildfires are a top priority. Canada is literally on fire.  This has to be strongly confronted as soon as possible.  I am not just talking about sending out more firefighters and water bombers.  Although necessary, that's merely a band aid solution.  Concrete measures must be put forth by your government.  Unless we are proactive, there will be more wildfires next year and the year after.  We need to combat the root causes of climate change ahead of the consequences.

How much more evidence is needed that climate change is here, that it is real, and that it poses a real threat to our collective health and the future of our planet - not to mention the added costs of health care costs caused by air pollution?  I live in Toronto where temperatures have been soaring this summer, and there have been days when my city had the worst air quality in the world, due to raging wildfires in Ontario. As you'll recall, the evening Canada Day celebrations in Ottawa were cancelled due to poor weather conditions.

Mr. Prime Minister, Canada needs you to show the utmost leadership on the issue of the environment and climate change.  This is an opportune time for you to take charge.  In the past, you have shown great concern about climate change.  However, the environment wasn't even a major issue in the last election, except for the removal of the carbon tax.

Mr. Carney, where is the man who launched a global banking group to fight climate change?  In your 2025 year-end interview with CBC News, you stated that Canada has too much regulation and not enough energy and technology investments to meet emission targets.  Speaking to CBC's chief political correspondent, Rosemary Barton, you called for action because "I care about the issue fundamentally, I care about what gets done.  Not what is put in regulation, not what is said, not what is prohibited - and then nothing happens."

Why are you, once a climate change crusader, now talking about pipelines instead of green energy and ridding the world of fossil fuels?  This is your moment to shine, Mr. Prime Minister.  It's your chance for you to make this great country everything it should be, even in the face of so many challenges.  We can't just shrug and turn on our air conditioners.  What about the people who have asthma, emphysema, respiratory problems and allergies?

A lonely nations waits for you, Prime Minister.

I write this as a concerned citizen.

Respectfully,

Joanne Madden

Prince Edward Island photos (PART 2)

Here are more photos of my visit to beautiful Prince Edward Island.

- Joanne

Historic Beaconsfield House, built in 1877, Charlottetown, PEI - July 1, 2026

Cavendish Beach, PEI - July 3, 2026

Anne of Green Gables Heritage Place - July 3, 2026

I walked through L.M. Montgomery's beloved Haunted Wood Trail

Prince Edward Island photos (PART 1)

Prince Edward Island is one of my favourite places.  It's a great getaway and a change of pace for this Torontonian.  I recently spent six days in the birthplace of Confederation, including Canada Day.  I was unable to tour Province House, where the idea of Canadian Confederation took hold. The restoration of historic building, where the Charlottetown Conference of 1864 took place, is not yet completed.  Province House has been closed for renovations since 2015.   

- Joanne

Here are some photos of my visit.

Summerside, PEI- June 30, 2026

Deckhouse is the restaurant where I like to have lunch on Spinnakers' Landing, Summerside

Victoria-by-the-Sea, PEI. - June 30, 2026

I attended a Ross Family ceilidh at Victoria-by-the-sea.  Enjoyed the music, dancing and fiddling of Stephanie, Johnny and Danielle.  Their mother also danced.

Canada Day at Victoria Park in Charlottetown - July 1, 2026

U.S. World Cup run was going well until Trump interfered

Donald Trump has to interfere with everything, and it seems that FIFA President Gianni Infantino will spare no effort to please the narcissistic American leader.  You may recall that Trump was awarded the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize - Football Unites the World.  The prize is intended to pay tribute to a person who has undertaken "exceptional and extraordinary actions for peace" and have contributed to global unity, but Trump has done quite the opposite.  He has achieved nothing like former President Jimmy Carter's Camp David Accord, a peace agreement between Egypt and Israel, or Carter's work with Habitats for Humanity (Can you imagine Trump building homes for those in need?).

Jimmy Carter deservedly won the 2002 Nobel Prize "for his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development."  Unlike crybaby Trump, Carter did not lobby for the Nobel Peace Prize.  He did not brag about how he deserved it.

How ridiculous that Trump is seen by some as a peacemaker.  He has failed to stop any war, including the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, which continue to rage on.  He also provoked a costly, illegal and unnecessary war with Iran.  Nevertheless, on December 5, 2025, FIFA President Gianni Infantino presented the FIFA Peace Prize to Trump at the FIFA World Cup Draw at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

Gianni Infantino

Fast forward.  It is July of 2026 and we are in the midst of the quadrennial FIFA World Cup.  It is being hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.  The U.S. was eliminated from the competition after losing 4-1 to Belgium yesterday.  The loss came after a controversy regarding a player on the American team who had been originally banned from the game after receiving a red card in a previous match.

The player in question is Folarin Balogun.  He was born in Brooklyn, New York in 2001 to Nigerian parents.  At the time, his parents were residing in London.  They visited New York when his mother was seven months pregnant with Folarin.  Airline staff refused to allow her to board the return flight to London due safety concerns surrounding the advanced state of her pregnancy.  Thus, Folarin was born in the United States.  The family returned to the United Kingdom and Folarin was raised in London,  

Born in the U.S. to Nigerian parents and raised in London, Folarin Balogun was eligible to represent the United States, Nigeria or England in international competition.  He chose the U.S.  Isn't it ironic that Trump wants to end birthright citizenship, which would preclude Balogun from representing the United States.?  

Folarin Balogun

Balogun received a one-game suspension after receiving a red card in the U.S.'s 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in Round 32 of the World Cup.  Trump, of course, called FIFA's President Infantino and what do you know, the ban was overturned.  Surprise!  Surprise!

Under FIFA rules, a straight red card automatically results in a one-game ban, and the player's team is not permitted to appeal the ban.  Nevertheless, Balogun was allowed to play an Seattle against Belgium.  FIFA had dismissed Belgium appeal to void its decision to void Balogun's suspension, paving the way for the U.S. national team's striker to compete in yesterday's match.  The Americans lost anyway, despite Trump's meddling, or perhaps because of it.  It may have motivated the Belgium team.

- Joanne

FIFA World Cup Quiz 2026

FIFA WORLD CUP 2026

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the first host by three countries simultaneously - Canada, the United States and Mexico. Number 16 invites you to test your knowledge of this prestigious quadrennial tournament by responding to the 10 questions below. Ready! Set! Good luck!

1.   In what year was the first FIFA World Cup held?

A.  1922

B.  1930

C.  1934

D.  1926

E.  1934

2.  In which country hosted 44the first FIFA World Cup?

A.  Uruguay

B.  France

C.  England

D.  Germany

E.  Brazil

3.  Which country won the first World Cup?

A,  Brazil

B.  Germany

C.  Argentina

D.  Uruguay

E.  France

4.  In which year was the first FIFA World Cup televised?

A.  1950

B.  1958

C.  1946

D.  1954

E.  None of the above

5.  In which year did Diego Maradona score his "Hand of God" goal?

A. 1982

B.  1990

C.  1984

D.  1994

E.  1986

6.  Which country has won the most FIFA World Cups?

A.  France

B.  Argentina

C.  Brazil

D.  Germany

E.  Italy

7.  How many times has England won the FIFA World Cup?

A.  Two times

B.  Once

C.  Never

D.  Three times

E.  Four times

8.  How many World Cup victories did legendary Brazilian player Pelé contribute to during his storied career?

A.  2

B.  4

C.  3

4.  1

5.  5

9.  Which nation won the World Cup in both 1934 and 1938?

A.  Italy

B.  Spain

C.  Argentina

D.  France

E.  Brazil

10.  Which was the first African country to participate in the FIFA World Cup?

A,  Morocco

B.  Algeria

C.  Tunisia

D.  Egypt

E.  Cameroon

ANSWERS

1.  B

The first FIFA World Cup took place from July 13 to July 30, 1930.

2.  A

Uruguay hosted the first World Cup.  All matches took place in the capital, Montevideo, primarily at the Estadio Centenario.  Thirteen countries participated, including seven from South America, four from Europe, and two from North America.

3.  D

Uruguay won the inaugural World Cup, defeating Argentina 4-2 in front of a crowd of more than 68,000 spectators.

4.  D

The FIFA World Cup was first broadcast on television in 1954.  The tournament was held in Switzerland that year  An estimated half a million Europeans viewed  the matches in public squares and community halls because home TV ownership was not common in those days.  The broadcasts, of course, were in black and white, with limited camera angles and no slow motion instant replays.  

5.  E

During the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, Argentina's captain, Diego Maradona, scored his controversial "Hand of God" goal.  The goal occurred during a match against England, when Maradona outjumped English goalkeeper Peter Shilton.  The goal was technically illegal because Maradona had used his hand to send the ball into the net.  It was allowed to stand because neither the referee nor the linesman had witnessed the handball.  Maradona later stated that the goal was "symbolic revenge" for the 1982 Falklands War between England and Argentina.  Argentina went on to win the 1986 World Cup by defeating West Germany by a score of 3-2 in the final at Mexico City's Estadio Azteca.

6.  C.

As of 2024, Brazil has won the most FIFA World Cups.  The South American nation has amassed a total of five World Cup victories( 1958, 1962, 1970, 1984 and 2002).  It is the only country to have played in every edition of the tournament.  Italy and Germany hold second place with four wins each.  Argentina has three titles, while France and Uruguay have two apiece.

7.  B

England has only one World Cup victory to date, as the host nation in 1966.  It was the first World Cup held in the English-speaking world.  Matches were played in eight stadiums, but all of England's matches took place at Wembley Stadium.  In the final, England defeated West Germany 4-2.

England's 1966 World Cup victory

8.  C

Pelé helped Brazil win three World Cups.  He made World Cup debut at just 17 years of age in 1958 in Sweden, where he helped Brazil win their first title, scoring four goals in the tournament.  Pelé also won with Brazil in 1962 and 1970.  He participated in a fourth tournament in 1966 in England, but Brazil was eliminated in the group stage after he suffered injuries.  

9.  A

Italy won the World Cup in both 1934 and 1938, becoming the first country to win it two times consecutively.  The Italians achieved that feat by defeating Hungary 4-2 in 1938.  It is interesting to note that the 1934 tournament was held in Italy.  Benito Mussolini was eager to use the World Cup to promote fascism.  Defending champion Uruguay boycotted the 1934 and 1938 tournaments because only four European teams had accepted their invitation to the 1930 tournament.  Due to the decision to host a second consecutive World Cup in Europe, many teams from the Americas chose not to participate in the competition or withdrew.

To date, the only other country to have won two consecutive World Cups is Brazil, with victories in 1958 and 1962, defeating Czechoslovakia both times.

10.  D

Egypt became the first African nation to compete in the World Cup in the 1934 tournament held in Italy.  The Egyptians qualified for the finals but were eliminated in the first round after a 4-2 loss to Hungary.  To date, the highest ranked finish for an African team is 4th place in 2022 by Morocco.

- Joanne