Have your say:

A premium cost

I am in the unfortunate position of leasing a 2009 Toyota Corolla. I have the maximum merit discount applied to my insurance premiums. My Corolla's insurance premium has increased for the 2010/2011 year even though the car has depreciated in value. MPI informed me increased claims costs (caused in part by the many problems haunting Toyota) have been incurred resulting in the Insurance Bureau of Canada rating the Toyota Corolla as a riskier vehicle to insure. This in turn caused MPI, and undoubtedly many other Canadian and U.S. insurance companies, to reclassify the Corolla, resulting in higher insurance premiums. Because MPI only allows a vehicle's risk category to increase one level a year, I can expect another increase in premiums in each of the next few years even though the value of my car is depreciating.

So any person considering leasing/purchasing a Toyota vehicle should seriously consider the appreciating costs of their insurance premiums.

TODD McDONALD

Winnipeg

Santa's standards

In the budget speech, Prime Minister Stephen Harper compared Canada's position with that of America, Britain and Greece. He carefully did not mention Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands. Whereas America, Britain and Greece have usually had strong, single-party, majority governments, the other three have been cursed by weak, ineffective coalitions for the last 60 years.

For some completely inexplicable reason, these three countries are the first on the list of countries when ranked by per capita income. Holland, the most densely populated country in the world, with only the ocean and some rather soggy farmland as natural resources, is No. 3 on the list. Canada is No. 17. The U.S. is No. 7. To further confound all logic, these people are the most heavily taxed in the world, yet they also describe themselves as the most satisfied with their living conditions. They are also 10 years ahead of us in the development of green energy. The Dutch are credited with creating Santa Claus; could it be he really exists?

BILL ROLLS

Emerson

Don't wait, act

Re: No MS 'breakthrough' study here (March 3). I am going to Buffalo, N.Y., to participate in the research conducted by Dr. Robert Zivadinov. While I have not been chosen to participate in one of the clinical trials, Zivadinov has opened his clinic doors to people around the world suffering with MS to be tested and potentially diagnosed with CCSVI.

I will not let our government, our doctors or the MS Society tell me to "wait and see." Life is just too short to "wait and see."

To others with MS, I suggest you sign up for the diagnostic tests in Buffalo. Raise the money for these tests as I am, through various fundraisers and donations. We need to come together and work with one another to advocate and to actively get tested for CCSVI. This research just could be the answer to our prayers.

Health Minister Theresa Oswald said in 2006, "Individuals who live with multiple sclerosis... are deserving of the absolute best of care. Here in Manitoba they are getting that." My question is, are we?

Nicole Benes

Oakbank

Boost home care pay

I agree with Celina Flett's letter Provincial home care strike looming (Feb. 20). Nurses and aides in hospitals are better-paid and have better benefits than any home care worker for the same jobs with the same risks and working for the same employer. We have other tasks similar to those done by aides and nurses in hospitals such as giving eyedrops, dispensing meds and changing catheters.

Just like in hospitals, we care for those that have additional ailments and present risks to our health such as hepatitis C, HIV. Home care providers play a big role in our society to help those who built our community and our country to live out their days in the comfort of their own homes.

Our question is: why doesn't the WRHA think we are worthy of having the same benefits and money as aides and nurses in hospitals?

Nadya Subtelny

Winnipeg

Laws for all

Don Mark's poignant piece regarding violent police officers will likely have law-abiding citizens doubting his claim and thinking, "If you aren't doing anything wrong, you have nothing to fear from the police." This sentiment is not only completely false, it misses the point. While many scumbags deserve a good beating from somebody, it's not the job of those entrusted to protect the public. Laws in place that guarantee the rights of a suspect including not being physically harmed by the police and the right to call a lawyer, are not there to protect the guilty. They are there to protect the innocent and to protect democracy from becoming a police state.

BRUCE CLARK

Palm Springs, Calif.

Defending Simard

Re: John McFee's letter Setting example (Feb. 20). Apparently, while he never agrees with Frances Russell's viewpoint, he states he can "... appreciate, respect and thank Russell for sharing her thoughts with us." Nevertheless, based on a single column he states that Colleen Simard's writings are not worthy of publication in the Free Press.

I read Simard's column regularly. Her writing is informative and her concern for people in general shows. Is it juvenile to stand up for what you believe? Is it bigoted to support the people you believe in? What I found was a different perspective -- certainly nothing juvenile, antagonistic or bigoted.

Barb Galbraith

Oakville

A taxing idea

Common realistic business sense seems to have completely disappeared from city hall. By suing Manitoba Hydro for $10.6 million, taxpayers will be forced to pay lawyers on both sides in order to determine if we pay this levy from our right pocket or our left pocket. There is only one taxpayer.

The city should always aggressively negotiate with senior levels of government in the boardroom, not the courtroom. Some councillors obviously have trouble accepting that the property tax freeze cannot last forever. On March 23, there will be an opportunity for councillors to defeat the budget. It will be an opportunity to find out which councillors are living in the real business world.

Fred Morris

Winnipeg

Smoke and mirrors

We were told Parliament was taking a break to 'recalibrate the economy.' The throne speech, however, was nothing but more smoke and mirrors. Rather than proving their critics wrong, the Conservatives have set forth a discordant, piecemeal agenda containing many of the 36 bills that were killed when they decided to prorogue. And the crown jewel of the throne speech that dominated the front page of the Free Press? Changing the lyrics of O Canada.

While the Conservatives may believe Canadians do not care about potential human rights violations, we most certainly care about accountability. The throne speech did not address the concerns about why Parliament was quietly closed, killing 36 bills and shielding the government from criticism over potential human rights violations and lagging emissions reductions. It gave us smoke and mirrors. And the Free Press fell for it.

BRENDAN JOWETT

Winnipeg

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition March 9, 2010 A11