Letters, Dec. 27

Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 27/12/2023 (657 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Are fuel taxes justified?

Re: Canada’s major climate failure (Think Tank, Dec. 22)

Canada produced only about 1.5 per cent of the world’s greenhouse gases (GHGs) in 2020. China was the worst offender, at 28 per cent, and emissions from China have increased by 78.2 per cent from 2005 to 2020.

So, if we reduce our GHG emissions to zero, it leaves 98.5 per cent of global GHG production untouched.

This provides a little perspective on the issue.

Are increased fuel taxes really justified? The resultant rise in fuel and transportation costs must have some causative effect on the rise in food prices.

Is it right to risk our jobs and economy for this?

R. McCammon

Winnipeg

Important distinction

Re: “Mandate masks in hospitals now” (Letters, Dec. 22)

The Dec. 22 letters contained two addressing the use of “masks” in health-care settings. Shashi Seshia was concerned that the health minister would not be mandating the use of “masks”, and Dorothy Wigmore was concerned that “masks” do not offer protection, and respirators as prescribed in workplace legislation should be used.

In September I wrote to the minister of labour asking if proper respirators instead of masks will be used in health care as required in the Workplace Safety and Health Act. I was advised that “the act and its associated regulations apply to all provincially regulated workplaces in Manitoba, including health-care facilities.”

From this I assumed that health-care workers would get the same level of respiratory protection that welders are getting. The Act and Regulations as enforced by the Department of Labour requires that a risk analysis be carried out by a competent person and that respiratory protection be provided that is appropriate for the risk. Appropriate respiratory protection does not include masks.

This means that both ministers are correct. The minister of health should not mandate masks as these are inappropriate, and the minister of labour will enforce the use of respirators where appropriate to the risk.

John Elias, MPH, CIH (Retired)

Occupational Hygienist

Winnipeg

Advice for premier

Re: We need more leaders, fewer politicians (Think Tank, Dec. 22)

Premier Kinew, I urge you to read — and heed — the recent op-ed by Marianne Cerilli.

As you assume your new role as premier of Manitoba you have an opportunity to take the path of true leadership. I hope you have the courage and strength it will take to work for the common good of our province and not just focus on re-election, as did the conservative “politicians” during their two terms in office.

Linda Mlodzinski

Winnipeg

Give Kinew a chance

Although Marianne Cerilli only mentions Pierre Poilievre in her op-ed piece why do I feel like she is really pointing her finger at Wab Kinew? Why do I feel like she is saying to Wab that there is really only one way to govern and that is her way?

Wab just got elected. Give him a chance. That is how I feel.

Mac Horsburgh

Winnipeg

Affordable living

Re: Mayor puts positive spin on city’s less-than- expected share of federal housing fund (Dec. 20)

Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham’s positive attitude toward the lesser than requested federal housing money is commendable. Many thanks to him for securing this federal money for the City of Winnipeg.

Great that an additional 5,277 housing units will be available. Concerning that a mere 1,342 units, less than 25 per cent, will be affordable. Affordable units are what we need! Affordable units for our fixed income seniors, affordable units for low income workers such as home-care workers and grocery store clerks, also affordable and subsidized units for the poor, the homeless and the disabled are what we need.

Rentals under $1,000 per month seem to no longer exist, and those in the $1,000-$1,500 range are in extremely short supply. That’s affordable rent for many.

Marilyn Bird

Winnipeg

Protein sources abound

Re: “Codes of animal care” (Letters, Dec. 21)

Where do vegans get their protein? Plants.

Plant-based protein offers the same amino acids as dairy and meat-based protein. Top 10 plant-based sources are black beans, tofu, nuts, tempeh, chickpeas, broccoli, quinoa, lentils, potato and mushrooms. If you consume a varied diet of fruits and vegetables your body has everything it needs. You can source B12 and Vitamin D as vitamin supplements. Health benefits include losing weight, controlling blood sugar levels and better sleep.

Marc Ruest

Winnipeg

Dire health-care situation

I am writing to bring attention to the alarming shortage of health-care workers in Manitoba, a challenge that poses a significant threat to the well-being of our community. The recent pleas for additional support from administrators at major hospital emergency rooms, such as Grace Hospital ER and St. Boniface Hospital ER, underscore the dire situation that health-care professionals are facing in our province.

The current crisis, marked by exhausted nurses, staff shortages, and a surge in respiratory illnesses, demands immediate attention and decisive action from the newly elected NDP government. The urgency is evident in the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority’s (WRHA) recent memo urging nurses to voluntarily take on extra shifts during the holiday season.

The fact that this plea follows a distress signal from the Manitoba Nurses Union regarding extended wait times and unprecedented challenges in emergency rooms is a clear indication of the severity of the situation.

As we welcome a new government, it is imperative that we address the root causes of this health-care staffing crisis. Years of cuts to nursing staff, as highlighted by nurses union president Darlene Jackson, have left our health-care system short of approximately 2,800 nurses. The repercussions of these cuts are now evident in emergency rooms, where nurses are compelled to adopt practices they have never resorted to before.

I urge the government to consider both short-term and long-term solutions to mitigate the strain on our health-care system. Immediate measures such as instituting additional mask mandates in hospitals and medical clinics, encouraging COVID-19 and flu vaccinations, and providing free RSV vaccines to seniors could help alleviate some of the stress on our health-care professionals.

Furthermore, addressing the systemic issues contributing to the shortage, such as investing in nursing education and training programs, providing competitive compensation packages, and creating a supportive working environment, is crucial for the long-term stability of our healthcare system.

The health-care professionals in Manitoba have shown unwavering dedication and resilience, but they are in need of support.

It is my hope that the new NDP government will prioritize this issue, recognizing the urgency and gravity of the situation. Our community’s health and well-being depend on swift and comprehensive action.

Yog Rahi Gupta

Winnipeg