Letters, April 18

Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 18/04/2023 (903 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Unfair to students

Re: Cutting class: two city divisions scrap international high school program (April 13)

I am reaching out to voice out my emotional stress and my daughter’s interest too. The school division made a sudden decision which affects my daughter’s education. She wanted to be in the IB program even though it is not our catchment school.

Now they phased out the program, she can’t continue the IB program anymore. The school division should’ve let the Grade 9 and 10 students continue the program, same with the Grade 11 students, and should no longer accept intake for Grade 9 students. They should’ve consulted the public.

Students’ education is the top priority. This decision impacts greatly those IB students’ aspirations.

Jen Zapanta

Winnipeg

No need for personal attacks

Re: NDP seeks to make premier’s personal wealth an issue (April 13)

Surely there are more important issues to be discussed than the personal wealth of any politician? Is there an acceptable range of personal wealth or are some too wealthy for political office?

I would much rather learn about plans for health care, education, utilities, climate change, infrastructure and taxation rather than issues that won’t impact our quality of life.

There is ample material to work with and no need to resort to personal attacks.

Michelle Burdz

Winnipeg

Go Jets, go

Well, the Jets made it (perhaps by the skin of their teeth) to the playoffs this year.

I trust that this newspaper will do right by them and by their fans by being steadfast and loyal supporters and leaders in the cheers for the boys in blue as they power their way (hopefully) towards giving this city a Stanley Cup to go with the Avco Cup that their prior iteration (formerly of the old WHA) won outright upon the previous league’s demise.

I would so look forward to a Winnipeg-Toronto Cup final (as, I am certain, would most everyone else in this Dominion). If we beat Toronto, it would mean that instead of Lord Stanley’s mug going to the Centre of the Universe, it would land in the heart of the continent and the nation.

Who in this town would object to a Jets’ victory parade down Portage and Main to go with the Bombers’ two previous strolls?

David Martineau

Winnipeg

Remarkable Manitoban

Re: Man of vision (April 11)

Danny Schur was a remarkable Winnipeg and Manitoba hero.

His unceasing dedication to promote and celebrate the history and significance of the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike is inspiring.

Schur spent a career crafting and producing a musical, Strike! and a movie, Stand! — both are about the 1919 strike, arguably the most significant human event in the history of Winnipeg.

He called the event ‘”the triumph of the little guy.” In 2003, Schur sponsored and erected a headstone at the at the grave of the largely forgotten Michael Sokolowski, who was shot during the huge workers’ uprising in Winnipeg in 1919!

Derek Dabee

Winnipeg

Grow up, legislators

Re: Tory sport minister accuses NDP leader of swearing, shoving (April 13)

To my mind, the sad thing about the spat between Wab Kinew and Obby Khan is that these are people to whom we have entrusted Manitoba. They are squabbling like two kids in a schoolyard who should be sent to the principal’s office.

Art Ammeter

Elie, Man.

Regarding the confrontation between Wab Kinew and Obby Khan, I, like most Manitobans, deplore the childlike antics and behaviour of many of our elected officials.

Politics in general have denigrated to the point of profanity-laced abuse being commonplace in our legislative proceedings.

Why has this happened? Why do we have enabled opponents recklessly attacking one another over political views and differences?

I personally would prefer to hear candidates espouse their own values as opposed to deriding the views of their opposition.

I would expect many voters, apathetic or otherwise, would concur with my view.

So here is a suggestion…as it becomes increasingly apparent that elected representatives can’t or won’t conduct themselves accordingly, it should become a mandatory procedure that all in attendance wear microphones to guarantee more honesty and accountability.

Sadly… it shouldn’t have to come to this.

James Scrapneck

Winnipeg

Curious inspiration

Re: Tory AGM opportunity to unite (April 15)

I read with interest the comments of Candice Bergen on her advice on a successful strategy for the Manitoba PCs during the upcoming provincial election.

Bergen is a seasoned politician, most recently as an MP for Portage-Lisgar. Prior to announcing her retirement, she was the subject of discussion when a photograph circulated on social media that appeared to depict Bergen wearing a MAGA hat, a favoured piece of headgear worn by many supporters of Donald Trump. To my knowledge, she has neither denied that the image is of her nor provided an explanation. Her choice of words at the Tory AGM, quoted by Carol Sanders, were thus curious. The Tories can win, Bergen said, if they “let Heather be Heather.”

A quick search of this phrase produces many references to a philosophy used by former Trump election advisor, Corey R. Lewandowski. It is also the title of a book about Trump authored by Lewandowski and David Bossie.

Curious inspiration for Bergen’s advice to the party delegates at their AGM, given her attempts to distance herself from the former U.S. president in the past. Manitobans have had time to let Heather be Heather and will vote accordingly in October.

Donald Teel

Winnipeg

City offers plenty, potholes aside

Re: “Taxpayers deserve better,” Letters (April 17)

I read Jean and Paul Krepps’ letter to the editor with some interest. We spend our winters in Indian Wells and I too have a little wake-up call when I return to the potholes of Winnipeg, and the uneven sidewalks.

Where the Krepps and I differ is on the root causes of the problems. They allege that we are not getting bang for our buck. I would say that the problems have more to do with Winnipeg’s severe climate and years of underfunding infrastructure maintenance and rehabilitation, which under our new mayor seems to be turning around.

On the subject of MPIC, I agree that there appears to have been some mismanagement which may well have resulted from government meddling.

However, I disagree that the private sector would offer better or even similar coverage at lower cost. I have family in Alberta and B.C. who pay a lot more than we do in Manitoba, which causes me to wonder where the Krepps were getting their insurance back east.

Winnipeg is a wonderful place to live! Slow down, dodge the potholes and enjoy the great restaurants and cultural venues. The grass is not greener in eastern Canada.

Tom Pearson

Winnipeg