Letters, June 21

Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 21/06/2023 (844 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Roadwork doesn’t have to be this way

I share the frustration noted by the citizens of Winnipeg regarding the incomprehensible choices of road construction on key routes.

I recently encountered a situation in St. Boniface where every single route surrounding a block was under construction, making it extremely challenging for the businesses on that block to function. In addition, if the city is committed to revitalizing downtown and bringing remote workers back to their offices, it would be helpful not to tear up every street and major thoroughfare downtown, making it impossible to get to work.

More importantly, I do not accept that the department in charge of road construction can’t do better and that our only choice is to “grin and bear it.”

On Saturday and Sunday this past weekend, I noted that hundreds of businesses were open and servicing their customers. I also encountered hundreds of road construction sites where not one worker was present. It is incomprehensible to me and unacceptable that road construction stop at 5 o’clock from Monday to Friday and doesn’t continue into the evenings and over the weekends.

If the city really appreciated the urgency and the importance of finishing road construction in a timely manner, it would absolutely require road construction to continue 24-7 so that citizens, cyclists (who lose their cycling paths) and businesses do not face unnecessary weeks of frustrating construction and inconvenience.

I have seen this done in countless other cities and cannot fathom why Winnipeg cannot do better.

Gail Asper O.C.,O.M.,LL.D.

Winnipeg

Trustee should get to speak mind

Re: Local school board decision sets example on hate (June 7)

Wow, talk about a hate-filled column! (The words “hate” and “hateful” show up eight or nine times!)

Apparently anyone whose opinion is not in sync with Dan Lett’s opinion is hate. Or some kind of phobia. Let’s be very clear here: everyone and anyone is entitled to having differing opinions on any issue including queer issues or any other issue for that matter.

Having a disagreement with the politically correct prevailing opinions (which do not necessarily reflect the majority opinion) does not make those opinions or disagreements hateful nor phobic this or phobic that. You do not have to agree with her, but you should respect her right to voice her opinion(s) — not spew insults and accusations.

Francine Champagne is an elected official. To be suspended from her duties simply for exercising her freedom of speech is not only uncalled for, but it may even be illegal‚ regardless of the speech restrictions the Louis Riel School Division attempts to impose on its elected officials via dubious “policies” (effectively censorship!). Let her speak her mind (something that is apparently alien to the other trustees) and then let the voters decide whether or not she should be on the board. That is democracy! That is freedom!

Gilles Roch

Winnipeg

Investigation won’t be fruitful

Re: Safety at deadly intersection critical: premier (June 19)

Of course this is a terrible event, with far-reaching affects on many, however, as a person who spent a career adjudicating collisions, I am having a very hard time listening to all of the hyperbole about necessary investigations and timelines months away.

There is video evidence, the highway right of way is clear, there are even road signs indicating who should proceed. Based on that alone, there is no investigation to be done that will change anything. Even if the mechanical inspection shows a fault, again nothing changes.

Spending huge amounts of money on RCMP time and the fees for experts is a huge waste and just adds to the level of tragedy. Leave the passengers alone, they can add nothing, let them get on with healing their wounds and dealing with the loss of friends.

I cannot get my head around the case for the investigate folks to go too far for no value. Are they wishing to make a name for themselves? I hope not.

Anyone who was in or is in the business will be able to answer all the questions about cause and fault, the only thing we will never know is the why, but if we did, it again changes nothing.

I do not need a police recommendation to support that changes are needed at this dangerous intersection — that is already a fact that is well known by those that use this route. As an overpass is likely not feasible, the only appropriate change is traffic lights.

Let the loss of these lives count for something through positive change.

John Zaplitny

Carman

Whatever blame is attached to whomever for their immediate actions, the long-term cause for the horrendous loss of life and injuries north of Carberry was the Manitoba highway department’s unwillingness to install overpasses over multi-lane, high-speed highways.

Where two major highways intersect, as along the Trans-Canada Highway, the Manitoba department of highways either ignores the danger altogether or installs stop lights as on the Perimeter Highway, in Brandon or west of Portage la Prairie.

At the Carberry intersection, you can tell the department knew there was a problem because of all the previous accidents at that location and because they installed on and off ramps for all four directions. They just did not take it to the logical conclusion of building an overpass and they have no immediate plans to do so.

Canada has a Grade Crossing Improvement Program which spends millions of dollars every year making level crossings of railway lines safer. Perhaps such a program is necessary for major, multi-lane highways.

I grew up in Brandon, lived in Winnipeg for several years, and have travelled through that intersection dozens of times. When I do so again later this summer it will be with a great deal of trepidation.

James McAllister

Ajax, Ont.

Violence rampant

Re: ‘All of them fought for their lives’: teen stabbed after concert (June 20)

“What the hell is wrong with this city?” laments the father of a 17-year-old son who was stabbed multiple times near this city’s police headquarters while bravely protecting his family members from a swarm of hoodlums.

That same night, three other stabbings were reported by police to have taken place.

In this city there is now a risk of being assaulted and stabbed in a random attack on, or waiting for, a bus, in a taxi, at a library, at the Ex, at a shopping centre, or just simply walking on a city street or pathway.

Indeed: what the hell is wrong with this city?

Keith Addison

Winnipeg

Odd system

Could someone explain to me, why I have to call New York to pay for a Manitoba provincial park pass, to visit in my own province?

Lionel Mason

Morris