Beyoncé snubbed at Oscars; Elton John, Randy Newman get nods

On diet and humanity

Re: “Maybe ASI will need us” (Letters, Oct. 5)

Mr. Martin, humans eating animals is not part of the circle of life. Many cultures with abundant plant resources, or for religious beliefs, have historically subsisted on largely or strictly vegetarian diets. Likewise, in extreme environments such as the Arctic, Inuit rely heavily on animal products due to the near-absence of arable land. Humans adapt locally to their environments and do not have a single ancestral diet.

Clearly vegetarian or vegan diets are not fringe, as evidenced by plant-based products on main-stream grocery store shelves. To suggest the Free Press is morally endorsing a fringe diet is rubbish, (the newspaper) merely gives the public a platform for diverse opinions, thus generating individual, thought-provoking ideas and conversations — a practice that is desperately needed these days.

Ashley Cain-Gribble and Timothy LeDuc have been added to the U.S. team for the World Figure Skating Championships, replacing Jessica Calalang and Brian Johnson.

Calalang and Johnson have withdrawn from the competition for personal reasons unrelated to COVID-19.

Cain-Gribble and LeDuc earned the bronze medal at nationals in January. After winning the U.S. pairs title in 2019, they finished ninth at worlds, earning the United States two pairs entries at the next world championships. That event was cancelled last March due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

American champions Alexa Knierim and Brandon Frazier also will represent the United States at worlds in Stockholm from March 22-28.

For years, the Manitoba Association of Crown Attorneys (“MACA”) has been engaged in a dispute with the Manitoba government over the workload of its lawyers. That dispute is expected to come to a head at the end of November, when two weeks of grievance hearings are scheduled.

We remain hopeful that we can reach an agreement with our employer. But if we cannot, our union’s lawyers are prepared to make our case. As those hearings approach, we want to explain how we got here, what is at stake, and why this dispute matters beyond the working conditions of our members.

These problems are longstanding and predate the election of Manitoba’s current government. Our concern with the current government is not that it created these problems, but that it is now responsible for addressing them.

Despite the evidence before it, the government has not meaningfully addressed the workload concerns we have raised throughout its time in office.

Red River College Polytechnic has announced two new degree programs aimed at preparing students to meet workforce demands in Manitoba industries such as engineering and manufacturing.

The first cohorts working toward bachelor of technology degrees in advanced manufacturing and mechatronics will enter the classroom in January at the Winnipeg college’s Notre Dame Avenue campus.

The two programs include a foundation in research methods, Indigenous worldviews and Industry 4.0 technologies to equip graduates with the skills and confidence to take on increasing responsibility in the workplace, RRC Polytech announced earlier this week.

They offer more options for existing students, graduates and mid-career professionals, the school said.