Letters, Sept. 11

25 years of remembering

There are days and events in one’s life that simply cannot be erased, nor should they. Such was that day, 25 years ago on Sept. 11, 2001.

The world remembered in silence at 9:46 AM (CST) in homage to the victims of that tragic event. Sadly many thousands would lose their lives in the wars that followed as a result of 9/11, including no less than 165 Canadians in Afghanistan. We shall remember them.

Following that solemn silence, attention in Canada and the United States will be drawn to Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador, and understandably so.

Personally, I will remember with gratitude the friendly folks of Winnipeg. It was here that I was grounded while en route from Halifax to Vancouver, with a final destination of Beijing.

The city welcomed displaced travellers with open arms. For four days I would walk the streets of the Peg and enjoy the wonderful hospitality. I thought it incredibly kind that a restaurant at The Forks would say “it’s on us.” When I checked out of the hotel there was no bill.

While we remember the fallen, and celebrate small Newfoundland towns, I will be smiling and saying thank you as I have each of the past 25 years to the citizens of Winnipeg. You are the best and epitomize the Canadian way.

Once again … Thank you!

Dale Wilson

Dartmouth, N.S.

Other choices

Manitoba Hydro is pushing a $3-billion plan to build three new natural gas turbines. Former Hydro CEO Allan Danroth called them a necessary insurance policy for droughts, but did anyone actually look at Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) first?

Relying on gas plants feels like a step backward. It ties our wallets to unpredictable fuel prices, which hits those of us on fixed or rural budgets the hardest when heating costs spike. Meanwhile, other provinces are already embracing SMRs because they offer reliable, zero-emission power that works perfectly even in the dead of winter when hydro levels are low.

Instead of default-spending billions on fossil fuels, Hydro needs to show us the math on clean, micro-nuclear alternatives. Rural Manitobans deserve a forward-thinking energy strategy, not an expensive trip into the past.

Douglas Dick

Sanford

Well done

Kudos to Peter J. Manastyrsky for his excellent summary (Canada’s first Ukrainian pioneers, Think Tank, Sept. 5) of the plight of Ukrainians in Canada from the initial wave of immigrants at the turn of the last century to their successes as Canadians today.

As with many other ethnic generations comprising the Canadian mosaic , the contribution of the Ukrainian people to the worldwide recognition of our country’s sterling image is undeniable. Hopefully, the recent refugees from Ukraine will gain inspiration from Canadian history and contribute accordingly.

Walter S. Saranchuk

Winnipeg

Dynacare and labour rights

Fifty years ago my father found himself in a bitter fight within the NDP because he opposed the push for “anti-scab” legislation. Labor unions argued that he was betraying them.

Sid countered that he supported free collective bargaining. And that anti-scab legislation would inevitably be followed by back-to-work legislation; that they were two sides of the same coin, and he opposed them both.

Yesterday we saw the NDP order the Dynacare technicians back to work. My father isn’t around to say “I told you so”, so I’ll have to do it on his behalf.

Marty Green

Winnipeg

Re: Labour board ruling halts Dynacare strike, Sept. 9

I am appalled to hear of the provincial government’s decision to send Dynacare workers back to work after only one day of strike.

Workers don’t take the decision to strike lightly — they go without pay and it disrupts their entire lives. But the nearly 100 per cent strike mandate from the workers shows that there are serious issues with how Dynacare is operating in the province.

For the government to then take away all leverage power from these workers is a despicable attack on fundamental Charter rights.

Perhaps instead of sending overworked, hyper-exploited, and underpaid health care professionals back to work, the NDP should have the courage to revoke the Dynacare contract and absorb these services back into the public health care system.

If the NDP stands for workers and public healthcare, as it claims, then why are we subsidizing an American company’s mega profits at the expense of our neighbours and friends?

Sarah Borbridge

Winnipeg

Taxes and spending

In his letter to the editor — Both education systems work, Sept. 9 — Paulo Borges states he “pays 100 per cent” of his school taxes, even though his children do not attend public school. I don’t think he’s unique — all property owners pay the full amount of school taxes, regardless of family status. He went on to suggest he “saved” the government money.

Talk about opening a can of worms. Using this logic, folks without children “saved” the government buckets of money. The letter writer made a choice regarding the education of his children. Some choices come with financial costs. Presumably, he thinks the benefits of his choice outweigh the costs.

As a teacher, I assume he understands how taxation works — we don’t get to select where our tax dollars go on an itemized basis. Maybe a better use of energy would be to count one’s blessings to be in such a privileged position to be able to make the choice.

Michelle Burdz

Winnipeg

Staggering issue

Re: “Rising enrolment at independent schools ‘staggering’,” 8 Sept

The headline should substitute the word “staggering” with “disturbing” given the cost and divisive nature of private schools. Cost is a concern because the partisan claim that such schools “are saving them huge money” is false. On the contrary, they cost taxpayers a lot.

Yes, the per student government contribution to private schools is 50 per cent of what public schools receive on average, but most private school students can be accommodated in public schools with no additional cost. It costs $0 to increase a class size by a few more students. No new schools or additional teachers required.

Moreover, private schools qualify for various other sorts of government (i.e., taxpayer) contributions, especially when affiliated with religious institutions. The article mentions, for example, that private schools get no funding for capital expenses. But donations for such costs can qualify as a charitable tax deduction under certain circumstances.

Most private schools are divisive because they also serve to segregate students on the basis of religion, ethnicity, social class, or all three.

Not only are students at such schools being taught that they are “different” than children attending “regular” schools, they miss important opportunities to interact with and get to know the diversity of Canadians, perhaps especially children less advantaged than themselves.

Jim Clark

Winnipeg

Slippery Smith

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s speeches are about what she can say and get away with, purposely backing the government into a referendum confusion corner.

You’ve got to hand it to Smith, she’s adept at not making leadership decisions that will make her accountable for her actions.

Alberta separatists are laughing all the way to the Oct. 19 vote.

J. L. Isopp

Selkirk