Letters, Nov. 7

Trouble in the ranks

Re: Nova Scotia MP Chris d’Entremont leaves Conservative caucus to join the Liberals (Nov. 4)

With MP Chris d’Entremont crossing the floor, it makes one wonder about the Conservative problem. The elephant in the room is Pierre Poilievre.

After 20 years as an MP, (some of those as leader of the party) all he has accomplished is making noise. This noise was ignored during the last election where the Conservatives not only lost the election, but Poilievre couldn’t even win his own riding. Now, there is talk of more Conservatives jumping ship.

It is time for the party in blue to make their leader walk the plank.

Werner Kroeger

Winnipeg

A good idea

Re: Manitoba can step up (Think Tank, Nov. 5)

What a great proposal made by Marwa Suraj for our provincial government to offer transparency through a real time dashboard.

In addition to providing updated progress on climate and health, I would also suggest adding the numbers showing the progress being made on housing our homeless neighbours. The government could also easily add a brief summary of the approach they are taking in each area to remind Manitobans how they are tackling each priority.

This kind of transparency would be a simple way for people to be reminded that progress is being made and the steps that are happening along the way.

Jeremy Zehr

Winnipeg

Against vengeance

Re: Kinew stands firm on support for pedophiles getting jailhouse justice (Nov. 4)

Premier Wab Kinew’s comments regarding justice for people accused of possessing child pornography has generated some heated dialogue and provocative opinions, ranging from the notion that the premier is just being tough on crime, to the reflection of abhorrence with his sentiments.

Kinew has expressed the opinion that people incarcerated for possessing child pornography should be buried under the jail itself and when incarcerated, they should be denied protective custody and thrown into the general population — we all know why he would think that to be preferable. I personally found Kinew’s comments as a denigration of our democratic philosophy of justice.

Street vengeance is no substitute for due process, regardless of one’s personal opinion. I expect more from a provincial premier, and we only need to look to our American neighbours to witness the full impact of the abandonment of justice.

As a final point, I would like Kinew to know that when he expresses his opinion that Manitobans agree with his perspective, this Manitoban does not!

Mary-Jane Robinson

Winnipeg

I am not one of those Manitobans who Premier Wab Kinew believes agrees with his perspective that people who engage in child pornography should be subjected to “the code of the streets,” after being confined in the general prison population. “See what happens,” he says, and goes so far as to say that the person ending up buried under the prison would be appropriate.

Ironically, only a few days previous, the premier appropriately called out the person who hung politicians in effigy, for using violent imagery.

The premier’s words are problematic on two levels. First, any promotion of violence (and even murder) from any politician is shockingly inappropriate. Second, the people of Manitoba need a premier who understands and promotes the role of the legal system as separate from the political system.

Let the courts do their job.

Erika Wiebe

Winnipeg

Preparing for the EV era

Re: Building a safer city by putting people first (Think Tank, Nov. 5)

This op-ed makes sense and ties into what will likely be a billion-dollar upgrade of Kenaston before we’re finished, plus additional expensive expansion of Chief Peguis Trail.

So, questions that have been asked before:

Why is this always going to be a “car city” when people like the futurist Tony Seba say autonomous electric vehicles (EVs) are the future, and if run as fleets (like Ubers without drivers), there could be up to 80 per cent fewer privately owned vehicles on the roads — especially if tied into free public transport, such as New Flyer electric buses made in Winnipeg and monorails (that don’t need snow clearing as they’re elevated and have a smaller footprint)? Plus fewer garages and parking lots; a once-in-a-century opportunity to redesign our city.

Hundreds of millions, or a billion dollars or more, could pay for all of that, without roadworks. And it would benefit all Winnipeggers and provide free, frequent, rapid transit. Why does the province, in the age of manmade climate change, cut fossil fuel taxes on gasoline so only “wealthy” vehicle owners benefit instead of all travellers? And why doesn’t the federal government get the 100 per cent tariff off Chinese EVs that could cost as little as $10,000, $20,000 (before rebates) and aren’t competing with anything being made in Canada anyway? And the Chinese might likely reciprocate by taking the tariffs off canola products, or even build vehicles in Canada.

What’s wrong with making life more affordable, more efficient, cleaner for us all and cutting costs in the long run? Apparently the money is there.

Andy Maxwell

Winnipeg

Don’t forget

As we approach Remembrance Day every year, we are reminded to take time to think of those Canadians who have given so much for Canada. On Nov. 11, Canada will honour Canadians who gave their lives in the Great War with a minute of silence, marking the end of the war at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. The First World War led to an estimated 16 million deaths of soldiers and civilians.

As Canadians, we honour the courageous women and men who fought for freedom and sacrificed their lives. On Remembrance Day, originally called Armistice Day, we take the time to think and reflect about those Canadians who have given so much, their sacrifice and life. We recollect what our Canadians fought for — freedom and peace.

Being a Canadian, we pledge to remember what the real reason of Canada’s involvement was, freedom for the world. No matter how the world is today, Canadians annually honour one special moment of reflection, signifying the poppy for peace. Let’s not forget, Canada remembers.

Peter John Manastyrsky

Niverville

No to nuclear

Re: A low-carbon future — with nuclear power (Think Tank, Nov. 6)

It’s federal budget season, and organizations are putting forward ideas on how the government should spend a lot of our money to support unsustainable projects.

Proposals include: a tunnel for the 401 highway north of Toronto, more pipelines, additions to Winnipeg’s inner ring road and from the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, nuclear power.

Nuclear power is one of most expensive sources of electricity. Not commercially viable.

Yes, it produces little greenhouse gas, but no, it is certainly not clean or green.

Would you personally want to invest in that?

The reason offered for government investment is familiar: “Staying on the sidelines could mean being left behind as the next wave of clean energy development moves forward without us.”

Let’s stay on the sidelines for the nuclear wave, and be ready to catch the waves that are economically and environmentally sustainable.

Charles Feaver

Winnipeg