Letters, Sept. 9

Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 09/09/2024 (387 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Being kind

Dennis Hiebert’s article (Calling for kindness, Think Tank, Sept. 4) is a refreshing change from all the vitriolic language to which people have been subjected to during the time we have had to endure Donald Trump and his U.S. presidential campaign.

Hiebert’s conclusion that MAGA’s rudeness is actually cruel, and his reminder to combat cruelty with kindness, is something we can all take to heart.

If it is true that “you can accomplish by kindness what you cannot by force,” then hopefully Kamala Harris will take this approach as she challenges Trump in the coming election.

Elfrieda Neufeld Schroeder

Winnipeg

Work needed on basics

I would like to thank Jim Silver for his piece, Investing in us, Sept. 3, and his focus on literacy.

Unfortunately, illiteracy remains largely hidden and its impact on our society largely underappreciated. I agree that more needs to be done to support adult education.

But we should also ask ourselves how so many adults, who were once children, did not learn to read at elementary or middle school in Manitoba.

Without understanding these factors, we risk dumping more funds into ineffective approaches, programs and training, as well as contributing to the likely growing number of adults requiring literacy education.

There is currently a Manitoba Human Rights inquiry being conducted into reading instruction in Manitoba public schools.

Like similar investigations in Saskatchewan and Ontario, it will likely find schools do not use evidence-based approaches to teaching children to read. Unfortunately, Manitoba Education has already indicated it does not accept the Ontario report, as outlined by Maggie Macintosh (Gaps in province’s literacy education probed, Feb. 23, 2023).

Somewhat comically, the Ontario report indicated bureaucrats would resist change.

Jim Silver cites that 192,000 Manitoba adults have literacy levels that are so low they are unable to participate in society. As the saying goes, the proof is in the pudding!

Dr. Natalie Riediger

Winnipeg

Blunt instrument

I write with great concern regarding the federal government’s recent decision to impose a cap on international student permits. This policy, though intended to address housing market issues and prevent exploitation by certain private colleges, has already begun to harm Manitoba’s public post-secondary institutions.

Manitoba’s largest universities, the University of Manitoba and the University of Winnipeg, are witnessing a significant decline in first-year international enrolment. With projected financial losses reaching $8 million for the U of M and $4 million for the U of W, this policy threatens the fiscal health of these vital institutions. The impact is being felt beyond the classroom, with English language programs and professional education courses suffering drops in international enrolment of up to 35 per cent.

The justification behind these restrictions, aimed at curbing private institutions’ questionable practices, seems misplaced when applied to public institutions.

Reputable universities and colleges rely on international students to enrich their campuses, not only financially but culturally and academically. These students bring diversity and global perspectives, enhancing the learning experience for everyone.

Moreover, it’s difficult to reconcile the federal government’s attempts to boost immigration with such measures that disproportionately affect international students.

While it is crucial to address the housing crisis and maintain integrity in educational institutions, the international student cap is a blunt instrument that is harming Manitoba’s universities and colleges.

The federal government should focus on targeted solutions, such as regulating dubious private colleges and investing in affordable housing to support all students.

If this policy continues, the long-term damage to Manitoba’s educational institutions, economy and reputation as a welcoming country for international students will be severe. It is imperative that Ottawa reconsider its approach before it causes further harm to both our universities and the future of Canada’s immigration strategy.

Yog Rahi Gupta

President

Manitoba Multicultural Resource Centre

Change support program

I mostly agree with Chris Buors, and am writing with my response to his letter (“End drug prohibition,” Sept. 3).

I believe that what is needed is a guaranteed minimum income program (GMIP) instead of housing supports.

Multiple small scale GMIP experiments have conclusively demonstrated that a GMIP is good for children involved, resulting in improved mental and physical health.

Parents and adults in general benefit from such programs similarly.

Letting people decide how to spend money given to them seems to be the key to the GMIP benefits.

A GMIP would cost about the same as the current patchwork of various support programs, and seems to offer more benefits than the current system.

Michael Dowling

Winnipeg

Axe the tax cut

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation, which by its own admission has only 235,000 supporters nationwide (which is 0.00575 per cent of Canadians) is calling on Manitoba to make permanent the decrease in the gas tax.

This, the CTF claims, can be paid for by removing the subsidy on electric and hybrid vehicles if 75,000 new vehicles, or 120,000 used vehicles, were bought every year. While it seems the CTF is trying to do its best to prolong oil company profits and exacerbate climate change, Canada has now jumped the ranks of global carbon emitters and, as of 2023, we finished fourth in the world behind China, India and the U.S. This was mainly the result of forest fires that emitted 647 million megatonnes last year.

Forests in Canada account for about 8.2 per cent of forests globally, and our forests do take in a lot of CO2; however the forests are getting drier and the climate is getting hotter. This is causing bigger fires, and more trees are lost than can be regrown. This net loss will only increase CO2 amounts, increasing global warming, which in turn will cause more economic hardship to Manitobans.

While a 14 cent gas tax cut may have won some votes, the reality is, as many have pointed out, it ended up in the pockets of oil companies. It’s time to bring back the gas tax, invest it productively in free transit, green energy, rural EV charging stations, ground source heat pumps that service communities, etc. That would pay all Manitobans back far more than a permanent $300 million-plus tax cut.

Also of note, with new figures released by the Parliamentary Budget Officer, Manitoba needs to either increase taxes by $500 million/year or cut $500 million/year in spending to remain financially sustainable over the long term. Increasing that figure to $800 million a year is downright foolish. It’s time to invest in climate mitigation and in ourselves so that Manitobans can start reaping the rewards that will make life truly more affordable.

Jamie Bonner

Winnipeg