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The new Investors Group Stadium viewed from across the Red River on River Road. This is a panoramic photograph that is made up of many photos that have been stitched together to create a long wide photo. The panorama image is not meant to capture a specific moment in time, as a conventional photograph does. It captures an environment over a few seconds. Elements were not added nor remove from a scene. May 29, 2012 BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS (WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store

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Defending an icon

Re: History sent packing by cuts (June 12). I will not be surprised if when St. Boniface MP Shelly Glover decides to finally speak about the Conservatives' decision to put Manitoba's historical icon out of sight, she defends it, even if at her core she is against it. I will not be surprised if Winnipeg South MP Rod Bruinooge remains absent from public scrutiny on the matter, Harper-style.

Louis Riel, after whom we Manitobans have named a February holiday, fought to protect his countrymen; Harper crushes dissent. It is no surprise that he should choose to defund all things Canadian; after all, he told American media that when he is done with Canada, they will not recognize it.

I would like to say to Glover and Bruinooge, stand up for the people who elected you and tell Harper no! Be proud, not ashamed, of who we are.

GERALD DANAIS

Winnipeg

Before everyone jumps on the bandwagon now known as the closure of the Riel House, let's remember that the government sometimes has to cut services to maintain others.

So instead of stamping your feet and holding your breath like spoiled children, do what other cultures do to maintain their heritage. They rally within their culture and raise money on their own to keep their traditions alive. Seldom if ever do they cry to the government about it.

AL SANSREGRET

Winnipeg

Our MP, Shelly Glover, can easily make up for the funding shortfall by reducing the great number of form letters and questionnaires she sends to constituents.

Based on the frequency and volume of such items received at my household, I'm sure the franking privileges exceed the funding cutback.

ELMER PAWLIUK

Winnipeg

The St. Boniface Historical Society has had a small contract with Parks Canada for interpretive services at Riel House since 1980. The minimal funding has been reduced drastically in the last 10 years. The society has already done much of its work on a volunteer basis or funded the site from its own limited revenues.

If Parks Canada is looking to other Métis organizations and volunteers to fill in the gap, and ensure the same level of integrity and quality of services, they are living in la-la land.

When I retired as a Métis and francophone history specialist with Parks Canada in Winnipeg, in 2006, my position was not filled. Apart from maintenance of the house and grounds, Parks Canada relied on the Riel House director and interpreters for program needs. There will be no more educational school tours at Riel House and there are no programs or facilities for non-personal presentations. Oh, yes, there is the Parks Canada website, which will be open to "visitors."

DIANE PAYMENT

Winnipeg

In my opinion, they can shut this place down at any time. I don't want my tax dollars used to fund something I will never see. Also we had to re-write history just to make a hero out of this guy.

If it means so much to the Métis, the answer is simple: Get off your rear ends and raise the money to keep it open. Stop always looking to the government to do everything for you.

DAVID YASKIW

Winnipeg

It is time for the Métis to rise again. Where is the new Louis Riel?

Remember, there was a Conservative prime minister in Riel's day, and he chose to favour the Protestant Orangemen in Ontario over the Catholic Métis of Manitoba and Saskatchewan, with the ultimate result being Riel's death.

Alas, nothing seems to have changed. And while I'm on this rant, why doesn't the city turn over that $7 million set aside for a water park to save our history?

KATHLEEN TEILLET

Winnipeg

Heartless comment

Re: Cost of early death (Letters, June 9). I was stunned to read Gwen Gibson's heartless comment regarding Steve Cancilla's loss of his partner, Kendall Wiebe, killed in a tragic accident. Gibson actually scolded Cancilla for bringing to light the paltry value that Manitoba Public Insurance places on human life.

Yes, many of us have suffered losses, but when that tragedy occurs as a result of a car crash, it is incumbent upon MPI to provide a suitable settlement to family survivors, not to add insult to injury.

Wiebe was only 27. Surely her life was worth more than $57,000. Just ask her children.

AL YAKIMCHUK

Winnipeg

Consider whole package

Your June 11 editorial, Teachers' pay should vary, focused solely on the issue of the teachers' salary grid, when in fact you need to consider the total compensation package.

As well as salary differences between school divisions, there are differences in a number of non-salary benefits that have a cost to them, such as leave provisions, working conditions and group benefit plans.

Specifically in Seven Oaks' case, the school board pays an annual extended health benefit premium of $1,088 for each teacher, which no other board in metro Winnipeg pays for its teaching staff.

When this benefit is considered in addition to the salary grid the teachers of the Seven Oaks School Division compare very favourably with the other teachers of metro Winnipeg.

WAYNE SHIMIZU

Seven Oaks School Division

Winnipeg

It's hard not to be sympathetic to the Seven Oaks teachers who are at the bottom of the pay scale, hobbled as they are by tenure.

If this archaic concept were done away with province-wide, then all teachers would be free to move where they are most appreciated and be paid on merit rather than on how long they have held a position.

CLIVE RUSSELL

Winnipeg

Penny wise, pound foolish

Re: Airport sniffer dog among budget cuts (June 9). The plan by the Canada Border Services Agency to eliminate the Detector Dog Service team at the Winnipeg airport invites criminals to move drugs across the border at this location.

With the deterrent factor gone, extra fallout will result in increased costs of chasing down more drug traffic.

As it should be, we are ready to spend thousands of dollars on enhancing our security to protect travellers. But the same logic does not apply to protecting the public from the increased drug trafficking at the Winnipeg airport which will surely result if this measure goes through.

JOANNE ROTHBERG

Winnipeg

Saying rings true

Re: Manitoba's own highway of heroes (June 8). As a retired career soldier, I, and I'm sure my colleagues, appreciate and fully support this very important initiative by the Selinger government.

That old saying "It's never too late" rings true here. However, this honour should have been bestowed a number of years ago, during the peak of the combat mission in Afghanistan, which ended in July 2011.

TERRY MEINDL

Teulon

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition June 13, 2012 A11