Letters, Jan. 12

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.

Most people would identify love as the opposite of hate, yet luminaries such as John Lennon suggest that it is fear of the other. Perhaps all of us could benefit from an examination of those universal tendencies to prejudice in ourselves and to discover the fears that underlie them.

Philosopher and social critic Bertrand Russell’s words cut to the chase: “Fear is … one of the main sources of cruelty.”

Edwin Buettner

Winnipeg

Chance to make Manitoba stronger

Re: Winnipeg hopes to land WestJet maintenance centre (Jan. 9)

The potential establishment of a WestJet aircraft maintenance facility in Winnipeg represents a major opportunity for Manitoba’s economy and workforce. If the project moves forward, it could bring hundreds of high-quality jobs to the province, spanning engineers, aircraft mechanics, and other skilled professionals, while also attracting talent and expertise to the region.

Beyond direct employment, the facility could stimulate significant downstream benefits. Investment in infrastructure, including water, sewers, and utilities, will not only support the new facility but also enhance the development potential of the surrounding Airport Area West Industrial lands. This proactive development by the Winnipeg Airports Authority signals that Manitoba is open for business and ready to compete nationally for investment.

Winnipeg’s central location in Canada, proximity to Calgary’s existing aviation hub, competitive costs of living, and established aerospace industry cluster make it an ideal location for WestJet’s expansion. The long-term economic impact could extend to improved air services, increased business opportunities, and stronger connections to global markets.

Overall, this initiative underscores Manitoba’s commitment to innovation, infrastructure development, and job creation. It presents a rare chance to strengthen the province’s economy while reinforcing Winnipeg’s reputation as a hub for aerospace and aviation excellence.

Yog Rahi Gupta

Winnipeg

A barbaric age

Re: “What Trump understands” (Letters, Jan. 9)

In an excellent letter, Sandy Rubinfeld says this: “I contend that words alone from other countries will have zero effect on Trump and his barbarians.”

In 2003, Canadian filmmaker Denys Arcand made a movie called The Barbarian Invasions. This followed upon an earlier film called The Decline of the American Empire (1986). U.S. President Donald Trump is determined to make America great again, and for Trump, this means returning to the era of imperialism.

Trump claims that fentanyl is pouring into the U.S. from Canada. This was Trump’s justification for taking over Venezuela. Trump believes Canada should become the 51st state of the United States of America. Methinks Trump has regime change in mind for Canada as well.

Arcand’s movies were prophetic. Get ready for the barbarian invasions.

Rich North

Winnipeg

Time to tow

Still more articles and letters about people leaving their cars on the street during parking bans. And still the city’s only response seems to be some people will never comply and we can’t afford courtesy tows. Why were taxpayers ever paying for courtesy tows?

Whatever happened to the concept of towing vehicles at the owner’s expense? I’m sure towing companies would jump at the chance to clear the streets of cars ahead of the plows.

First down a street is a bylaw officer to tag the errant cars, then the tow trucks, and then the unobstructed plows. The car owners can contact 311 to find out where to get their car after they settle the towing bill directly with the towing company.

A win-win for everyone but the defiant people who refuse or can’t be bothered to move their cars.

Bev Kornelsen

Winnipeg

In search of accountability

Re: Alone, afraid and betrayed (Jan. 3)

Jeff Hamilton’s excellent story exposes the disturbing treatment of a young girl and her family by her teacher David Wray and representatives of Winnipeg Police, River East Transcona School Division, Sherwood School, Child and Family Services, and the Manitoba Teachers’ Society.

The allegations are that Wray attempted to “groom” the girl from Grade 3-5. The police say no crime occurred — but didn’t even interview the girl. Strangely, they felt the issue was sufficiently serious that they offered to visit Wray to “scare” him but not sufficiently serious to grant the family a protection order — until a year later when the teacher continued to try to contact her.

RETSD says it conducted an investigation — but didn’t interview the girl or her family. If complainants aren’t even interviewed, it’s an “investigation” characterized by wilful blindness. Board chair Colleen Carswell didn’t even let other trustees know about such this serious issue.

We are told “no school official” contacted the girl or her family. However, during a chance encounter off-site, the school vice-principal told the family that she would keep an eye out for the girl — presumably acknowledging a potential problem but failing to address it proactively.

Child and Family Services investigators apparently only asked the girl “four questions in 20 minutes” about Wray’s conduct (which involved hundreds of texts and many in-person meetings over a three-year period).

Wray’s conduct would seem to justify dismissal and immediate suspension of his teaching certificate. Instead he was allowed to resign by RETSD (presumably with input from MTS). MTS says that student safety is its “highest priority” but that can’t be true. Every union has a legal obligation to provide its members with fair representation. What did they do when that representation conflicted with student safety?

The resignation allowed Wray to possibly teach elsewhere. That isn’t addressing a problem. It is shuffling a problem to some other organization and the students there. Both RETSD and MTS share responsibility for not taking steps to eliminate that risk. Wray’s certificate was only terminated five years later. Have we learned nothing from the actions of the Catholic church in dealing with certain priests?

Various public agencies and officials are required to do everything they can to ensure children are protected. They failed to meet their responsibilities in a proactive way and now refuse to be accountable.

It is time for those in more senior positions and voters to hold them accountable.

Robert Pruden

Winnipeg