Letters, Oct. 9

Manitoba Hydro at it again

As a former resident of Windsor Park, I often ride my bicycle through the neighbourhood or walk the shaded pathway from Elizabeth Road to Cottonwood Drive. It’s a favourite walkway for residents with dogs as well. While passing the pathway at Elizabeth Road the other day I was dismayed to see crews clear-cutting the mature trees between the pathway and the CPKC tracks that stretch the length of Archibald Street.

At first I thought that the crews were clearing out the dense bushes and trees at the start of the pathway. I made a note to return to see if that was all that was going to be done. (When) I drove by the trees had been clear-cut to the end of the first street and access point to it, much to my dismay and horror. I parked my car and went to speak with a worker doing the tree removal.

I was informed that it was a Hydro corridor and that the work would clear-cut every tree between Elizabeth Road and Cottonwood Road. Perhaps the plan is to continue on through Southdale and Island Lakes. At a time of diminishing tree canopies around Winnipeg and the drive to plant a million trees, this decision is outrageous and lacks respect for our current climate situation and neighbourhood esthetics.

I suspect some bean counter calculated that clear-cutting was a financial savings (compared to) the cost of trimming the trees. I was told by the worker that these types of trees require such attention. I witnessed (the removal of) not just faster-growing cottonwood trees, but other varieties with substantial trunks.

Having lived here for 60 years, I can attest to the time it took to grow these, as they were already there when I arrived as a child. The residents of Windsor Park are about to be left with a blight on the neighbourhood. I, for one, will not return to enjoy a walk in the shade on a sunny afternoon or a break from the wind and noise while on a stroll.

Robert Gordon

Winnipeg

Too much noise

Perhaps if press coverage focused less on the perceived frontrunners and actually gave some air to the lesser-known candidates, voters would have more interest. The campaign is nearly over and we’ve only heard about the noisy three. There are candidates running with interesting visions for the city. Elections shouldn’t be treated like prediction markets.

Armin Wiebe

Winnipeg

Lack of trust explained

Re: Tories tried to get me to quit: Klein (Oct. 7)

People often say they don’t trust politicians because they believe too much happens behind closed doors.

Kevin Klein’s latest revelation does little to change that perception.

Klein says that during the 2022 mayoral campaign, someone associated with the Progressive Conservative Party encouraged him to leave the race and support Scott Gillingham, suggesting the party could “find a place” for him. Under Manitoba election law that’s a crime. Klein says he refused. He did not identify the person then and still will not identify them now.

If Klein believed that conversation represented an attempt to interfere with the democratic process, he should have spoken publicly in 2022. Instead, voters are hearing about it four years later, in the middle of the 2026 mayoral campaign.

This is exactly how public cynicism grows.

People already suspect that political deals are discussed in back rooms and that the public only hears about them when it becomes advantageous for someone to talk.

If something improper happened in 2022, voters deserved to know in 2022.

Not four years later.

Marc Robichaud

Winnipeg

Preserve and protect

Re: “A plan for nature” (Letters, Oct. 7)

I want to extend my gratitude for the published piece in the Free Press that is keeping the spotlight on Manitoba’s commitment to protect 30 per cent of our lands and waters by 2030. As someone who deeply values Manitoba’s incredible natural landscapes, it is very encouraging to see this topic gaining well-deserved traction.

However, like so many Manitobans, I am saddened and disappointed that the provincial government appears to be stepping back from its promise made in 2023. Given that the last three provincial budgets have failed to provide a clear action plan, adequate funding and transparent timelines, Manitobans are left with empty rhetoric.

Protecting Manitoba’s boreal forests, peatlands, grasslands, lakes and rivers is protecting fundamental infrastructure in supporting biodiversity and facilitating carbon storage and thus, long-term economic resilience in the face of global climate change. It should not be a luxury or a secondary goal sought after when it is more convenient. Failing to protect these spaces undermines the very climate goals the government claims to pursue in its net-zero strategy.

Setting a commendable goal in 2023 was the right first step. Abandoning the promised action plan now is a massive step backward.

Manitobans deserve transparency, accountability and the pathway we were promised to ensure the natural legacy is preserved for future generations. We do not accept piecemeal or vague assurances that everything will somehow workout in time.

Kathryn Morog

Selkirk

Look on the bright side

The debate over daylight time should be given a rest. The expressions of 70,000-odd poll respondents statistically represent Manitobans’ views. It is certainly true that extra caution will be needed during dark December mornings, but what about the extra hour of sunlight at the end of the day?

I appreciate not having the annoying clock-changing ritual this year. Let’s see how the year works out. Maybe I’ll miss the illusion of the extra hour of daylight next spring and be petitioning for the time change to be restored.

Ed Labossiere

Winnipeg

Canary in a coal mine

It started with the pigeons in Prince George. Then it progressed to crows in Vancouver. And now Winnipeg.

Pigeons looking for food and crows scrounging for shiny things are the new consumers of naloxone. Opioid residue on wrappers tossed on the ground is being ingested by birds, resulting in bodies on the pavement. Whether you are a bird lover or not, they have something to teach us about the sanctity of life. They are the new canaries down the mineshaft.

A minuscule amount of naloxone can save them. Those doses are often administered by caring unhoused folks. The next time you see a street person with a naloxone kit attached to a belt loop, thank them for being at the ready to help their fellow humans and birds. May their kindness take flight.

Heather, Harry and Sally Emberley

Winnipeg

A timely reminder

A drop of water in an empty bucket makes little impact, thousands or millions of drops of water will fill up that bucket and make the water of use for many tasks.

Similarly, one vote, by itself, makes little impact on an election, but thousands or millions of votes will contribute to the selection of a candidate for office or help settle an issue up for discussion. Every vote counts! Please vote!

Ross Murray

Winnipeg