Entrepreneurs wanted
Re: Day-care centres fit to burst, May 14.I am a soon-to-be father who is just beginning to explore day-care options and am quickly learning that the market is flooded with way more demand for spots than there is supply. Among other questions I have is this: If there is so much demand, why are there so few market-driven (for-profit) day cares? I would think that with such a huge demand, entrepreneurs may have a solid chance of turning a profit in starting a new centre.
ERICK PAY
Winnipeg
Beer and popcorn
Re: Parents finally getting real choice in child care, May 3.
Curtis Brown correctly points out that the Manitoba NDP government has benefited from an extra $1 billion in equalization payments, which has made funds available for the provincial "Family Choices" program, including 6,500 new child-care spaces. In doing so, the federal government did not attach requirements, but simply allowed provincial governments, like Manitoba's, to make good choices in creating programs in an area of provincial jurisdiction.
He then appears to resurrect the "beer and popcorn" criticism of the other federal program, the Universal Child Care Benefit payments of $100 per month for parents of preschool children. Illogically, he states that the federal direct payments to parents will not "give parents the opportunity to pay down their mortgage and put food on their table." I know some parents of preschool children, and they have not shown me any of their federal "monopoly money" that apparently cannot be used for mortgages or grocery bills, or for that matter, payments to day cares. I have noticed some of them drink a beer now and then, but I never saw them use any "beer bucks" at the liquor store.
I have seen parents with young children either choosing to be stay-at-home parents, or working (for remuneration) out of their homes. It is worth noting as well that the child-care spaces are not being offered for free, in most cases. Despite Brown's persistent use of the word choice, he seems to imply that parents of preschool children should not make such choices.
Geoff Brookes
Winnipeg
Global warming, eh?
Global warming? I was at our cottage in the Whiteshell this weekend hoping to go fishing, but unfortunately we were not able to because of the ice conditions. Our boat ramp was in solid ice. In fact, there was ice completely across our bay, a first since our family has had the cottage. We have not been able to go fishing because of the ice conditions only twice in the 48 years our family has had the cottage, and both have been within the past five years. In fact, I have only been fishing once on opening weekend in the past five years. Twice we didn't get out because of the ice and for the other two times, I don't like fishing when there is snow in the air.
Are our springs getting colder? The answer is yes. I got on the Environment Canada website and checked the average temperatures for January to June since 2002. All but 2006 are below average. Even when you look at March to May (what I consider as spring), again, only 2006 was above average. Our winter and springs are colder than average. Global warming? Not in my world! Let's go back to when it was "cold." When I could go fishing in May and sit in the boat in my shirtsleeves and feel comfortable.
BOB CHAPMAN
Winnipeg
Remedy is misguided
Re: More money not enough, May 13.
I agree that "more money alone won't fix this problem," referring to problems with INAC's child and family services program.
However, Chuck Strahl's department's solution to rely on provincial legislation and standards as a remedy is misguided.
All one has to do is examine the current problems in INAC's education program. First Nations schools are told to follow provincial standards, yet do not receive adequate funding to do so. Funding may also be denied or stopped with no explanation. Such arbitrary actions make planning very difficult.
What has to occur is a change in the mind-set of INAC's bureaucrats. They are often underqualified for their current positions. Many do not have the required expertise. These officials must be willing to work collaboratively with First Nations to develop a comprehensive INAC/First Nations child and family services system which includes legislation, policies and procedures, administrative structure and trained personnel.
Short-term solutions have failed in the past. It's time to develop a comprehensive system. The minister's officials do not have the answers.
RON PHILLIPS
North Bay, Ont.
Winnipeg needs drag strip
Re: Portage cruise dangerous, May 8.
In regards to the letter about the Portage Avenue cruise night, I am a young male, 20, who takes part in those cruises. Sunday has been cruise night for as long as I can recall. It's the only real time that car enthusiasts get a chance to hit the streets and show off their rides. Anyone who knows anything about the street scene knows that all the serious "street racing" happens in industrial parks and other secluded areas. What you are seeing on Sunday nights are people who watched too much Fast and the Furious.
Take a drive down Portage next cruise night and take a look at how many police officers patrol the street. Anyone who so much as revs their engine is pulled over. I think the problem lies in the lack of an alternative. Why does Gimli have a drag strip and a city as large as Winnipeg doesn't?
If Portage has such a good turnout, it would make sense to me to build a safe alternative for people who want to race but do not want to risk innocent lives and huge fines.
Alex Clarke
Winnipeg
Properly label GE food
How disappointing that little to no attention was given to something that many Canadians have a right to know about: what is in our food. On May 7, a private member's bill, bill C-517, which required the mandatory labelling of genetically engineered (GE) foods, was voted down in Parliament. As many as 40 countries around the world have already passed legislation requiring mandatory labelling of GE foods.
Research on the safety of genetically engineered ingredients has not been provided by independent bodies. The only research provided is from the companies who produce them. Whether these foods are good or bad, people have the right to make that decision for themselves. Canadians need to ask why these companies are opposed to mandatory labelling of GE foods, and how can the Canadian government allow this?
COLLEEN HAILLEY
Winnipeg
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