Letters, Sept. 4

Opinion

Cost of cuts

After the government tightened restrictions on international students, all post secondary institutions have faced dire straits financially.

The drop in international student registrations has left the University of Winnipeg unable to commit its usual funding to the community radio station CKUW 95.9 FM. The station already fundraises heavily each year.

Since the station is experiencing financial difficulties, it has decided to cut funding to Stylus Magazine. Stylus (est. 1989) is one of the longest-running music and culture publications in Canada and the only one in Winnipeg. It is an essential outlet for our abundant music and arts scene.

I have read the magazine since I was 12 years old. At first, collecting them on visits to the city from my rural home, I would read them and feel connected to a larger community in the province. It was inspiring to know that there was an incredible music scene here.

Winnipeg has so much culture per capita. Stylus has been an essential celebration and archive. I hope they can continue.

Paige Drobot

Winnipeg

Consider the airship

Years ago I was aware of the proliferation of winter ice roads that annually provided large volumes of goods to remote fly-in communities. At the time the winter period that provided the ice roads was shrinking annually due to global warming, and is continuing apace, while such communities still exist.

As we search for new and enlarged industries to counter U.S. tariffs, the option of airships should receive serious consideration in Manitoba and other further northern jurisdictions. Manitoba provided auto manufacturers with an extreme cold testing area in Thompson and the same should be true for airship development which have a heavy-lift capability at significant lower cost to the construction and maintenance of roads to remote communities and work sites.

Len Lewkowich

Winnipeg

Human rights education

There are concerns and questions about the exclusive Holocaust education curriculum about to be introduced in our schools by the provincial government. I also understand that there may be an Islamophobia curriculum being developed. These are both noble undertakings.

However, in the spirit of empathy, inclusivity, and fairness, why not develop a singular curriculum that falls under the banner of “Human Rights Education,” addressing colonialism, genocides — past and present — that is free of political and personal biases, a truly Canadian approach that will inform and teach students about all genocides and ethnic cleansing in modern human history, for example, the Armenian, Bosnian, and Rohingya genocides, to name a few, and those that are underway today.

An inclusive, honest, sincere, and well-researched curriculum will be an inspiring addition. Our children will develop empathy and gain valuable insights, thereby enhancing their resolve to stand up for justice, the rule of law, and human dignity, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, political leanings, national interests, and gender. They will learn the perils of othering that can lead to dehumanizing and demonizing.

Furthermore, we should include in the curriculum the history of racism/religious bigotry, and sexism in Canada. This will complement their learning and lay a solid foundation for informed and respectful conversations. Combine this with the study of positive and inspiring stories of acts of courage and noble examples of sacrifices and challenges of the people who, against all odds and threats, stood up for truth and exposed falsehood.

Students will benefit from building healthy alliances and relationships that enhance hope, foster empathy, and provide valuable insights, empowering them to advocate for justice for all people, regardless of their race, religion, ethnicity, or gender diversity. This will lay a strong foundation for informed and respectful conversations, nurturing future leaders who are true champions of democracy and human rights.

Looking into the mirror of history sincerely and without bias will clear the vision of students and teachers, with a commitment to set aside political and personal interests and practice critical thinking with an honest commitment to “Never Again” without favour and fear.

Shahina Siddiqui

Winnipeg

Law already in place

Re: ‘Antisemitism is becoming normalized’ (Sept. 2)

This article states “The Liberal party’s platform included a pledge to make it a criminal offence to wilfully obstruct access to places of worship, schools, and community centres, as well as make it a criminal offence to intimidate or threaten people at those locations.”

This reminded me of the so-called “Freedom Convoy” of 2022 and the inquiry that followed it. I knew, and the inquiry validated my belief, that the laws were in place to deal with the demonstrators but that they weren’t enforced. Likewise, the laws are in place with regards to the acts discussed in this article.

The Criminal Code of Canada, Section 430 states: “(1) Everyone commits mischief who wilfully … (c) obstructs, interrupts or interferes with the lawful use, enjoyment or operation of property or (d) obstructs, interferes with any person in the lawful use, enjoyment, or operation if property.”

Under the punishment section it is stated that “ if the commission of the mischief is motivated by bias, predjudice or hate based on colour, race, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression if mental or physical disability” the offender can be charged by indictment and sentenced to not more than 10 years or charged summarily and given a lesser penalty. You don’t have to be a lawyer to understand this, it couldn’t be plainer.

Offended parties have every right to expect the police and the judicial system to honour the promise made by these laws.

Stan Tataryn

Winnipeg

Immigration rhetoric stale

Poor Pierre Poilievre, wandering a landscape he no longer recognizes, trying to plant the seeds to rejuvenate his political fortunes. Still slamming immigration, Mr. Poilievre? Isn’t that cake getting a bit stale?

Worse than that, he is staring into the backside of an ugly face, a face of tyranny that is raining acid on everything that is non-white, segregating a once communal, sharing country into fragments of hate and hostility. Is that who we want to be?

As for the young people you claim these immigrants are taking jobs away from, you don’t need to speak for them because they can speak for themselves. You know what I hear them saying?

“It’s going to be OK, Mr. Poilievre. We are happy to share with folks that have less than we do, people that want only for their children to be fed and educated and safe. And maybe together we can build Canada into an even stronger country to deal with the challenges of our lifetimes, like climate change, income inequality, and homelessness. We appreciate your concern, genuinely, but we are going to be fine, so you just let those people come.”

Steve Oetting

Winnipeg