Have Your Say

CMHR -- at last, I get it

RE: Museum's bold idea worthy (Dec. 30).

What a great editorial. I have been somewhat ambivalent toward the Canadian Museum for Human Rights over the years. I was always impressed with the passion of the Aspers to build this legacy but the idea never resonated within; after reading through the editorial's logic, however, I get it.

Not only do I get it, but the whole concept is exciting. What huge potential to create not only an educational institution but to develop processes and curricula to embed the learning within our national school system.

It is time for our lame members of Parliament, yes you Mr. Fletcher, Mr. Toews and Ms. Glover, to do something more than photo ops and wasting money on pointless radio spots about the long-gun registry.

Stop patting yourselves on the back for nothing; display some courage and leadership, and move this national project forward.

GARY HOOK

Winnipeg

Re. Museums' bold idea worthy. This idea "will challenge not only the bullies, racists and bigots in our midst, but also the apathetic, the bystanders, those who don't vote." Thank you very much for clarifying whom the CMHR and its followers consider subhuman, and for providing insight into the plan to harass them with "lifelong passes."

Truly, without the CMHR, who would have ever thought Henry David Thoreau's advocacy of civil disobedience, our very constitutional right to not vote, was something less than human, or that harassment is acceptable provided it's popular? I can now understand why "human rights are as Canadian as maple syrup," and so will the world!

I look forward to receiving my lifelong pass. Will it come with a chauffeur or a probation officer?

SCOTT INSCH

Winnipeg

Congratulations! This editorial on the merits and importance of building the Canadian Museum for Human Rights is by far the most informative article I have read about this vital project since it was envisioned by the late Izzy Asper. You clearly state all the benefits this will bring to all Canadians and help promote democratic standards in this country. Well done.

ISSIE D. OIRING

Winnipeg

Museum's "bold idea" demands creativity and co-operation.

I propose that we recall the popularity and financial success of Bodies: The Exhibition to resolve the Holocaust issue and solve the Canadian Museum for Human Rights' money problems.

For instance, the central exhibit area could feature a new theme every few months in lieu of a permanent Holocaust memorial. The grand opening could be Holocaust: The Exhibition, with a remake of Auschwitz.

In addition to other historical exhibitions of gross human rights violations, the CMHR could feature themes such as women's and children's rights, the history of human rights in Canada, and contemporary topics such as aboriginal self-government and right-to-life issues.

By keeping the central exhibit area open, the CMHR becomes a welcoming place to gather and learn about the past as well as a vehicle for those who desire to build a better future where societies are more functional, tolerant and cognizant of each others' human rights.

GORDON WARREN

Winnipeg

An "idea" museum is a good idea. As currently proposed, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights is a bad one.

BORYS SYDORUK

Calgary, AB

A No. 1 legacy

I am writing in regards to your latest listing of CEO income in which you have ranked Rob Stenson, founding CEO of Ag Growth International, as the second-highest-paid executive in Manitoba in 2010. While your compilation noted that "other income" represented 80 per cent of Rob's pay, and that he had passed away 14 months ago, it did nothing to connect the dots. Why on earth would your report include "death benefits"? How utterly callous and misleading. Is there no sensitivity for Rob's family and friends? All publicly traded companies, by regulation, disclose the remuneration of their top five earners. It is already public knowledge for all to reference.

If the Free Press feels compelled to report this information, then perhaps you could challenge your reporter to do a bit of homework and get it right.

Your reporter could have discovered the real story... about a founder, builder and visionary who put his heart and soul into his work and who measures his success ultimately by the value he created for his shareholders.

From humble roots in Swift Current, Sask., in the mid 1990s, Rob Stenson led a startup company into one of the top-performing small caps on the TSX since its IPO in 2004. Along the way, he created hundreds of jobs and made countless investors handsome returns... hundreds of millions of dollars in shareholder value. More than a few Manitobans have benefited in their RSPs, pension funds and investment portfolios. If you have to include Rob's death benefits, then at least be mindful of his legacy. In doing so, you can change his ranking to No. 1.

GARY ANDERSON

President and CEO

Ag Growth International

Winnipeg

Tip box a scary sight

I was at the Club Regent casino the other day and was both shocked and appalled to see "tip boxes" strategically placed all around the facility. It set me to wondering if this is a new sign of what's to come for the Manitoba taxpayer. Will there be tip boxes in the legislature, Manitoba Public Insurance offices and hospital emergency rooms? The locales could be endless. What further upset me was that one of the boxes at the casino even had the message "for better service" on it. What happens if I choose not to tip? Scary stuff.

Helen Sterzer

Winnipeg

You promised, Sam

Rumours persist that City of Winnipeg property taxes will increase this year. Property owners should not be concerned. During his recent contest for the mayor's chair, Mayor Sam Katz promised, if re-elected, he will not increase property taxes. He was re-elected, Mayor Sam Katz keeps his promises.

HERB SCHULZ

Winnipeg

A community-builder

Re: They shall not be forgotten (Dec. 31)

I want to add the name of Chriss Tetlock who passed away of cancer on July 18, 2011. She was the founder of the North End Women's Centre, Wabung, Northern Star Collection and the Up Shoppe. She was a community-builder in the truest sense and devoted her life to helping others to help themselves.

JUDY WASYLYCIA-LEIS

Winnipeg

The end is often near

With all the talk about the end of the world I've heard for the coming year I decided to check online about how many end-of-the-world predictions I've lived through since 1963, the year of my birth. I thought I'd list exact dates and sources but when the number hit 70 (22 in 2000 alone) I gave up that idea. So folks, I've lived through 70 end of the worlds, and that's only the ones posted on Wiki. Happy New Year.

MARGARET HESSIAN

Winnipeg

CWB cause not lost

As one of the eight former Canadian Wheat Board farmer-elected directors referred to in your editorial Grain war serves no purpose (Dec. 26), I find your assertion that "their crusade is starting to look personal, even vindictive" quite ridiculous.

To carry your metaphor of a grain war further, however, a war usually has an aggressor and a party being attacked. In past challenges, the courts have clearly ruled farmers have the constitutional right to associate and form a single-desk marketing agency. In this "war," the government is clearly the aggressor in attempting to take farmers' rights away. Farmers are the victims of a heavy-handed government attempt to bully them into submission.

You acknowledge that the recent decision in the federal court is a reminder for the Crown that it, too, is subject to the rule of law. We former directors feel, however, that the government needs more than a reminder, it needs to be held accountable for its actions in breaking the law.

You assert that farmers are intelligent; I agree. That is why they continue to support the single desk, and that is why the eight former directors are continuing to fight back on their behalf. This is not a lost cause.

BILL TOEWS

Kane, MB

D-Jay's there for 40 years

D-Jay's has been at that location for over 40 years now. Dennis and his wife started it in the mid-1960s as a side-door delivery pizza place at a rented location close to Moray Street while he was delivering mail for Canada Post as his day job.

D-Jay's has built its reputation as the local neighbourhood restaurant everybody goes to at some time or another. I, for one, will be greatly disturbed to see this family-run restaurant forced out of business.

DAVID HUNT

Winnipeg

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition January 3, 2012 A11