Cheap solutions

Re: Hydro eyes incentives to reduce power usage as shortage looms (Feb. 4)

Hydro quietly released its 10-year plan. Perhaps the release was low-key because neither Hydro nor the Manitoba government are proud of the choices they are making.

Hydro’s website leads with talk of net zero and shifting away from fossil fuels, accompanied by pictures of windmills and electric vehicles, but the bottom line is “Manitoba needs new, dependable energy sources as early as 2029 to meet increasing demand.”

Care while aging

Re: Pair of St. B ER deaths probed (Feb. 3)

Early into the article about Judy Burns, 68, who died three days after being admitted, are some words which can’t be ignored, particularly if you are elderly. Those words are, “age-based dismissal.”

Would our health-care system actually ignore someone based on their age? As someone who will turn 80 this year (and is healthy), I say “yes” to the question.

Providing complete care

Re: Too many wait too long: surgeon; Joint-surgery announcement adds insult to injury (Jan. 31)

While reasonable to praise or criticize health-care based on number of joint replacements and wait times, it ignores influences on demand that exert pressure on the medical system. The aging population certainly increases demand for hip replacements.

However, hip replacements for younger people in the 40-60 age range have also increased and add to demand, not only for a first surgery but also for a second replacement later in life, in part because their greater activity can reduce the lifespan of the initial operation.

Closing college right move

Re: MITT to close, administration blames crackdown on international students (Jan. 28)

It would appear that the imminent closure of the Manitoba Institute of Trade and Technology was made necessary by the large decline in foreign students registered at the college.

It begs the question — why would we be funding educational institutions in the first place that appear to cater to a great extent to these foreign students, many of whom are simply enrolling in these programs to gain residency in Canada without any commitment to do the work they were being trained for.

LNG wrong way to go

Re: B.C. energy minister Dix says North Coast Transmission Line will boost LNG project (Jan. 20)

I really appreciate Free Press publishing this B.C. news because it is a truly national embarrassment that Canadian electricity ratepayers and taxpayer are being set up once again to subsidize Houston-based Western LNG.

First, B.C. Energy Minister Adrian Dix claims the Ksi Lisims LNG project will create thousands of jobs, but independent analysis indicates final job numbers are expected to be in the hundreds. Second, imports of liquefied natural gas are already falling in Asian markets such as China, Thailand, India, Pakistan, Japan, and South Korea, due to efficiencies and electrification.

On the road

Re: It’s time for a Ness Avenue redesign (Think Tank, Jan. 16)

Tyler Crichton makes a good argument for the causes of numerous accidents on Ness Avenue, including Ferry Street at Ness.

As stated, Ness is a long, straight street, and speed is a definite factor, so obviously this should be a first, and likely easiest step in reducing accidents. Ness is long enough to support a few varying speed corridors, similar to Grant Anenue, but taking into consideration that there is no structural divide in some sections.

Fear and cruelty

Re: When hate hits on the home front (Think Tank, Jan. 9)

Thank you to Joanne Seiff for her valuable and practical suggestions relative to dealing with hatred against “ethno-religious minorities” in one’s community. The actions she presents certainly provide support not only for those affected, but also as ways of dealing with hatred at a systemic level.

In addition to things people can do, I would add that it’s important to remember that the roots of hatred lie deep within, and not only for those who act on their prejudicial hatred. Humans seem to have a propensity to form groupings based on certain perceived commonalities. For example, a 2022 study reported in Cognitive Development showed that children at all ages used clothing style as an indicator of friendship preferences.

Dealing with poor roads

I’m writing to raise concerns about ice control near schools and the risks created when known hazards are not addressed promptly.

Recently, I spent about 10 minutes on a 311 call reporting a school-zone intersection that was completely glazed with ice. This was not a minor slick area — it was sheer ice across the entire intersection. I emphasized during the call that children were actively using the crossing and were at risk.

Despite the posted 30 km/h speed limit, vehicles were sliding and struggling to stop. Drivers were clearly trying to be cautious, but ice eliminates safe stopping distances. Children don’t always look carefully or understand these risks.

Admirable virtues

Re: Burst pipes, sewage spills greet delegation (Jan. 8)

The sentiment from Pimicikamak Chief David Monias that the community’s resilience shouldn’t be mistaken for “acceptance of chronic neglect,” needs to be seriously contemplated. The resilience we see in Indigenous communities is a virtue to be admired; this same resilience is also a condemnation of settler society that benefits from the neglect and (to be less diplomatic than Monias) abuse continually facing Indigenous communities.

The resilience is condemnation because these are conditions created by a genocidal policy of relocation that forced communities to live in remote locations. This was done in the service of opening up cheap land for settler agriculture and urban development. It is the apartheid attitudes of the Indian Act that stripped communities of the same right to self-governance other municipalities enjoy. It is the modern bureaucracy that drown small, underfunded band governments in paper and administrative work.

Building capacity

Re: Military sought to help First Nation (Jan. 7)

The military is being asked to help a First Nation in distress. Yes, I agree that damage has been done and people have been affected. The damage must be repaired as quickly as possible to minimize potential future impacts. The military may have the capability, but really it should not be their primary role. How much in-house skilled-trades capacity exists on reserves?

The chief mentioned 12 plumbers, which seems like a small number for the size of their community. Indigenous communities have had electricity and water systems for years. Do they have the capacity, operators and skilled tradespersons to operate and maintain these systems with minimal external support? How much in-house capacity has been developed? Is it a focus for the band? What can be done to expand this capability with programs in their schools?

Elbows up

I was in the Liquor Mart on Friday morning looking for some coffee liqueur. There was the famous brand from Mexico there, and there was also the surprise American knock-off on the shelf.

I took the latter up to the counter and asked if purchasing American still went to charities. The clerk said that ended on Dec 24. I took the American one back, and got the Mexican brand instead. Elbows up.

I think the Liquor Mart is really doing a disservice to the charities by not making all American sales benefit charity until the shelves are finally empty of wares from the U.S.

Keep the pressure on

Re: Developers say protection is ‘for the birds,’ (Dec. 18)

I would first like to thank Ms. Buffie for a cogent, articulate piece.

Winnipeg is smack dab in the middle of the Mississippi Flyway for migratory birds. As such, it was a cause for celebration when Winnipeg City Council included a requirement for bird-friendly construction in November, 2024.

Opportunity to reflect

Re: Pierre Poilievre may be his own problem (Editorial, Dec. 19)

My grandfather passed on words of wisdom that I’d like to share with Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, although likely, too little, too late: “Look in the mirror kid, and you’ll see your enemy.”

I have a feeling Poilievre’s mirrors don’t work very well.

Resisting racism together

Re: The growing horror of antisemitic violence (Editorial, Dec. 17)

I very much appreciate the Free Press’s editorial. I was born shortly after the end of the Second World War into a Jewish family whose members had been murdered in the Holocaust. I have experienced antisemitic comments on different occasions throughout my life. So, I’m well aware that antisemitism is a light sleeper; that it emerges out of its slumber when the circumstances are ripe; that the current rise of fascism in North America and abroad provides fertile soil.

The deadly Bondi Beach mass shooting is a particularly tragic expression of this.

Ongoing fiasco

The fiasco of the transit route restructuring is becoming a never-ending and increasing cost to city taxpayers.

Recently, transit officials reported to city council about the drop in ridership due to the changes. This loss of ridership, along with the corresponding loss of revenue, is a direct cost to the citizens of Winnipeg. In addition, it was mentioned that transit officials anticipated a loss in ridership due to the change, without indicating how much of a loss they expected, in the hope of attracting new riders.

Every business person knows it is easier to retain current customers rather than attract new ones.