Have your say

Promise of dynamism

It appears to me as though no matter what the Canadian Museum for Human Rights says or does, it will always have its critics. That's fine. The friends and supporters of the museum understand many of the concerns expressed in Dan Lett's July 19 article, Loans ride to museum's rescue.

We understand that the museum, like everyone else, has to live within its means. And the museum has assured us that it will do so. Raising the kind of money needed for a world-class facility such as the CMHR isn't an easy thing to do. I can assure you, however, that once it's completed it will be the innovative, dynamic, and accessible facility that we promised to Canadians and the world. It'll be a Canadian institution of which we can all be proud.

My wife and I are proud to call ourselves friends and supporters of the CMHR. My wife serves on the museum's inclusive design advisory council, which will ensure that the museum is accessible for everyone.

Yes, there have been some minor problems and delays. That's normal with any project of this magnitude. But no "fatal blow" as suggested by Lett piece. When it finally opens its doors in 2014, the museum will deliver on its promise and show itself to have been a worthwhile investment.

HARRY WOLBERT

Winnipeg

Dan Lett's piece speaks to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights being nothing more than a poorly conceived political idea that was sold to all levels of government. Craven politicians were either interested in currying the favour of influential people or, afraid they'd be labelled anti-human rights, agreed to chip in millions while the majority of clear-thinking taxpayers were fervently opposed to this colossal waste of money.

While hundreds of millions in public dollars are being spent on a museum whose own proponents can't even define, people line up at food banks and missions. Others wait months for life-saving surgeries or die in hospital waiting rooms because of an underfunded health-care system that is hamstrung by overworked doctors and nurses.

While the federal government lends the museum $70 million (and let's be honest, it won't ever be paid back considering the museum states that operating the place will cost $20 million a year) because "pledged" money from wealthy donors has been "slow to materialize," it tries to eliminate health care to dirt-poor immigrants who have come to Canada thinking it is a nation dedicated to the protection of human rights.

It isn't much of a stretch to say that the human rights museum, with its seemingly insatiable appetite for public dollars, money that should be used to improve the lives of all Canadians, has itself become a violator of basic human rights.

BRUCE CLARK

Winnipeg

It was with great satisfaction that I read Dan Lett's article on the securing of funding for the opening and operating of the museum. Gail Asper, Stuart Murray and their teams have been tirelessly working on making this dream come true.

A great amount of gratitude goes to the province, under the leadership of Premier Greg Selinger, as well as the federal government, the City of Winnipeg, and the many friends of the museum who have come together in the latest feat to make the museum a reality.

The CMHR is seen by us as a major partner in putting the city back on the map as a wonderful destination to visit, and in which to do business. To this end, we are looking forward to working with the museum and other major players in the revitalization efforts, to bring thousands of visitors annually to Winnipeg so they can spend their money here and ensure Winnipeggers have meaningful employment.

KLAUS LAHR

Winnipeg Convention Centre

Mining for truth

Alana Wilson's July 17 opinion piece, Public money should not prop up asbestos mining, draws conclusions based on erroneous facts. As with any argument based on misconceptions and half-truths, the conclusions that follow do not hold.

One of the principal assertions Wilson makes is that the market for chrysotile is declining. Nothing could be further from the truth. Chrysotile asbestos is in high demand as an effective, low-cost and safe material used in the production of cement roofing tiles and pipes.

Throughout the developing world, (comprising 60 per cent of the world's population), the need and ability to put a low-cost roof over people's head is steadily increasing. The demand for chrysotile has risen since 2008, and this was a key consideration in the opening of the mine and in the Quebec government's decision to provide a loan to the venture.

The initiative will see substantial economic benefits to the region in terms of job creation, raising people's standards of living and diversifying business.

The $58-million loan is a government-to-business transaction between Investissement Quebec and the mine, on terms consistent with market standards, with the government as a secured creditor. Payment terms include reimbursement of the principal with interest, plus $25 million payable by the Jeffrey Mine to a regional economic diversification fund. Of course, the mine will also be paying corporate income taxes, mining duties, and municipal taxes.

Finally, Wilson's assertion that the loan guarantee to the mine will exacerbate a manpower shortage in the mining industry elsewhere is nothing short of absurd. Canada is not a country of migrant workers who move one corner of the country to another as markets and economies shift. We are 10 provinces and three territories that are mutually dependent on each other, with governments that support national, provincial and regional economic development -- as is the case with the Jeffrey Mine.

JOHN AYLEN

Jeffrey Mine Inc.

Montreal

An extra reminder

To Dan Herzog's suggestion for cellphone seizure as evidence (Try confiscation, Letters July 20), I might add that a message should be sent to the phone's number advising that the owner is facing careless driving charges.

DAVID HAGBORG

Carman

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition July 21, 2012 A14