Letters, Nov. 2

Post-election reflection

The civic election offered both predictable and surprising results. The re-election of Mayor Scott Gillingham and the defeat of Transcona councillor Russ Wyatt were anticipated.

What was surprising was that, in addition to Wyatt, three other incumbents lost their bids for re-election. Devi Sharma (Old Kildonan), Ross Eadie (Mynarski) and Shawn Dobson (St. James) all went down to defeat, and it is clear to me their replacements will bring stronger voices to city hall.

A total of nine new councillors is a seismic shift in Winnipeg civic politics, not seen since the establishment of the 15-member council some 35 years ago. What is most interesting is the political leanings of the new councillors and how they will work with Mayor Gillingham.

Five elected members of council were endorsed by the Winnipeg Labour Council — Natalie Smith (Mynarski); Chris Sigurdson (St. Vital); Lora Meseman (Transcona); Matt Allard (St. Boniface); and Cindy Gilroy (Daniel McIntyre).

I also count three additional progressives elected, who should work well with the labour-endorsed group. These are: Greg McFarlane (Old Kildonan); Emma Durand-Wood (Elmwood – East Kildonan); and Jeff Palmer (Fort Rouge – East Fort Garry).

Winnipeg operates under a strong mayor system, which means appointments to the executive policy committee and positions such as speaker are shaped by the wishes of the mayor. Just these appointments alone put the mayor very close to having a majority of council votes on key issues. Members of EPC are not compelled to vote with the mayor in all instances, but their job security at the executive level of council is often directly proportionate to their fealty to the mayor’s agenda.

Council as a whole will be judged by the electorate on their ability to make progress on basic issues such as a user-friendly, reliable and safe transit system. Housing, homelessness and addictions are complex issues but here, too, Winnipeggers have been clear in wanting to see visible progress in terms of assistance to the most vulnerable in our city.

The other critical issue for the city is the failing state of basic infrastructure. Expect a clash between those who want to fix what already exists versus investing hundreds of millions in new infrastructure, such as widening Kenaston Boulevard or extending Chief Peguis Trail.

The city has choices to make, and the new council will face these hard choices led by Mayor Gillingham, whose legacy rests with his ability to fashion a working relationship with the council as a whole, not to mention senior levels of government. I don’t believe people expect perfection; all accept there are no easy answers to these challenges.

What I believe people do want is a council that strives to forge a consensus on the best way to tackle complex policy issues. A council that inspires hope that Winnipeg can and will become a city we can all be proud of.

Paul Moist

Winnipeg

Sewage plant must be on time

The $500-million federal contribution toward the final phase of Winnipeg’s North End sewage treatment plant is welcome news. The investment is critical to protecting Lake Winnipeg, addressing wastewater capacity constraints and supporting the city’s future growth.

However, funding announcements alone should not be mistaken for successful project delivery.

The three-phase project carries an estimated price tag of $3.1 billion, with completion required by 2032. Given the scale of this investment, taxpayers deserve more than political assurances. They deserve transparency, financial accountability, realistic timelines and effective project management.

An important question remains: why has an infrastructure project of such critical importance taken so long to reach this stage? With population growth and increasing development pressures, wastewater infrastructure planning should be proactive rather than reactive.

The city, provincial, and federal governments must demonstrate how this investment will translate into timely results. There must be clear accountability for cost overruns, construction delays, and measurable environmental improvements, particularly in reducing nutrient pollution entering Lake Winnipeg.

Ultimately, the success of this $3.1-billion undertaking should not be measured by the amount of funding announced or the political credit claimed by governments. It should be measured by whether the project is completed on time, within a responsible budget, and delivers the environmental and infrastructure benefits promised to Winnipeggers.

Taxpayers deserve results, not just announcements. The 2032 deadline must be treated as a firm commitment, not an aspiration.

Yog Rahi Gupta

Winnipeg

No need for interest hike

As reported, the Bank of Canada has raised the interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point, ostensibly to combat inflation. But this policy makes little sense given the current situation.

Combating inflation using interest rate changes was a product of the 1980s, when inflation was caused by a complicated balance of rising prices, rising wages, productivity and the performance of the economy itself.

However, it is obvious the current inflation rate has been mostly caused by increased energy costs, owing to the Iran War and the closing of the Strait of Hormuz. Without the massive increases in gasoline, diesel and transportation costs, the inflation rate would be around 2.2 per cent, not 3.1 per cent. It is magical thinking to believe that raising the interest rates in Canada (which will actually raise the rate of inflation) will somehow have an impact on the Iran War or the Strait of Hormuz.

The levers of inflation in this case are not linked to the economy (much like the increased rate of inflation after the COVID-19 pandemic). So, slowing the economy down will not help. And here’s the thing, while the prices of oil and gas in Canada are linked to the international price, the cost of production does not go up, and production and distribution in Canada are not affected by the Iran War or the Strait of Hormuz.

The interest-rate increase will mean a massive windfall for the oil and gas industry in Canada, again much like the inflation cycle after the Covid pandemic. Canadians would be far better served if the government were to tax the windfall profits the oil and gas sector will surely see and keep the interest rate where it is.

Of course, this will not happen, just as it did not happen during the COVID inflationary cycle. The central bank will keep up the charade of interest-rate hikes until the current crisis in Iran is resolved, or until yearly averaging calculations null out the rate increase caused by the crisis, then claim victory over inflation. While prices will remain high. Again, just like pandemic-driven inflation.

Rob McConnell

Winnipeg

Necessary evils

Re: “Careful who you mix with” (Letters, Oct. 26)

The concerns raised in this letter cause mixed feelings.

Turkey’s president Erdogan is an authoritarian leader.

As for the statement “If Carney wishes to sup with several devils, that’s his choice,” the alternative is to re-enter trade with the deranged devil south of us.

Sometimes a buck is a buck.

Karen Zurba

Winnipeg