Letters, June 9

Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 09/06/2023 (852 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

No excuse for vandalism

Re: All Canadians share responsibility of reconciliation: vice regal (June 8)

Criminality and vandalism have no part in reconciliation. Destroying the icons of a people’s culture is reprehensible and must be denounced, not excused. Frustrations and anger over historical wrongs is not a hall pass to “express themselves in whichever form they want,” as opined by Gov. Gen. Mary Simon. Such actions are counter-productive to bridging the divisions caused by colonization and residential schools. They weaken the will to accelerate the pace towards reconciliation, because one cannot heal without the efforts of the other. It takes both sides to forge a friendship. We need to get to a place where people respect and understand one another.

Randy Clinch

Winnipeg

Regarding Gov.-Gen. Mary Simon’s statement “it’s really important for Indigenous people to be able to express themselves in whichever form they want.”

Wow what a statement that is. Does not most people think there is something wrong with that statement particularly the words “whichever form they want.”

I have no issues with protesting but in a lawful and respecting manner.

If some people are allowed or encouraged to protest “whichever form they want” our society could be in trouble and this will not help reconciliation in any way.

Ron Robert

Winnipeg

Manitobans take a stand (or three)

Over the course of the last month or so I have noted how my fellow Manitobans have responded to three separate, but similar public attacks on our rights and the liberties of often marginalized groups.

We are aware of the attempted move to ban books from schools in Brandon. This was met by a strong public response both on social media, in the news media and by people speaking in public forums in Brandon.

On a similar note a recent social media attempt by a school trustee, to suggest that the real purpose of gender spectrum education in the schools, was in fact a process of grooming children to engage in a lifestyle the trustee disapproves of.

In general the main public repossess to both of these events was to stop and think before leaping to conclusions. Among other points in both these situations was a demand to real evidence to support the suggestions. Said evidence was flimsy or not forthcoming.

The dehumanizing claim made by an elected City of Winnipeg councillor, that substance abusers are merely “drugged out zombies” has been similarly hammered by Manitobans. That the treatment of substance abuse in Canada is dismal is all to apparent.

One of the sad similarities between the gender diverse and those who struggle with substance use, is a higher incidence of premature death.

As distressing as it was to experience the “Here we go again” response to all three of these events, there is a very bright side. The magnitude and swiftness of the response of Manitobans is truly gratifying.

Dick Forbes, RPN

Winnipeg

More to be done for trees

Re: Trees fall while bylaws fail (Think Tank, June 7)

Kudos to Erna Buffie for this excellent article and the Free Press for publishing and bringing this issue to the public’s attention. That the city has tapped in to federal funding and made tree replacement a strategic priority is certainly good news. But more needs to be done. If we think we are making any real progress with a two-to-one tree replacement program on public land while ignoring the destruction of a majestic 200 year old oak tree at the whim of a private owner/developer, we are truly delusional.

Our mature tree canopy provides a myriad of environmental and cultural benefits to all of us. It is truly a public good and has to be viewed as such. Private landowners have to be viewed as stewards of this resource. Bylaws protecting these “private” trees and recognizing this reality are critically needed. Property rights are not absolute and it’s time that we changed our view of how to protect one of our most valuable urban natural assets.

Dan Barchyn

Winnipeg

Should students take it on faith?

Re: Trustees give Christian group access to public elementary school for Bible lessons (June 8)

The St. James-Assiniboia School Division has authorized faith-based education in Strathmillan School.

One should remember that anything that is “faith-based” has to be accepted as true on faith alone. There can be no other reason to believe it other than someone who already believes it tells you to.

Trustee Angela Dunn states that “we are required to respect religious diversity.” People deserve respect as does their right to believe whatever they wish. Their beliefs are not included.

To say that children “learn” from this “instruction” is misleading. Laying the groundwork for a personal relationship with reality and a capacity for critical thinking requires honesty.

We should accept nothing less.

Gordon Kidder

Winnipeg

Donate cheque if you like

Re: Cost of a rebate (Letters, June 6)

Debby Neufeld need not cash her cheque, she is right to consider donating the money to her favourite charity. The rebates are righting a wrong that has taken place in Manitoba over the past 50 years. Education taxes do not belong on the property tax bills. Most people who own property are not rich, in some cases, they live paycheque to paycheque or on their pension and whatever savings they may have. Single people and seniors may just be barely making it.

Debby Neufeld is considering donating her education tax rebate, so I guess she is in a better financial situation, good for her.

School taxes accounted for 20 per cent of the revenue needed to fund schools in the 1980s when I served on the St. Vital School Division Board and over the years have crept up to close to 50 per cent as it was easy for governments of the day to take from that well of capital. If governments had taken directly from citizens’ bank accounts there would have been hell to pay. It is really the same thing, except that every property owner pays whether they can afford to or not. That is why income tax is a better choice to support education funding.

Heather Stefanson’s PC government has had the foresight and fortitude to right a wrong and I applaud her and her colleagues.

Singles and seniors, young people trying to buy a house or condo will also thank the government. Finally someone from the government will legitimately be able to, truthfully say, “I’m from the government and I am here to help.”

Peter Kaufmann

Winnipeg