Letters, Feb. 11

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 11/02/2025 (409 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Trump coin cometh

Re: Trump says he has directed U.S. Treasury to stop minting new pennies, citing rising cost (Feb. 9)

Trump wants to eliminate the production of their Lincoln penny by commanding the U.S. Mint to stop making them. Wait and see, because it’s just a matter of time before Trump has his image printed and/or minted on American currency just like other autocrats around our world.

Robert J. Moskal

Winnipeg

Lacklustre leadership candidates

Re: Tory leadership ‘race’ more like uninspired stroll to nowhere important (Feb. 8)

I agree with Dan Lett’s assessment of the ongoing Progressive Conservative leadership contest.

Democracy needs a vibrant, energized opposition. Unfortunately that’s not what Manitoba has in 2025 and as Mr. Lett pointed out, that’s not what the PCs have offered Manitoba for many years.

I’m disappointed that Obby Khan has not generated more creative ideas, because Manitoba needs them. I’m particularly sorry that Khan’s only opposition is a man who is unable to see a need to broaden his perspective if he wants to convince the Manitoba electorate and who does not understand that a joke is meant to be funny; not malicious and malignant.

Lynn Silver

Winnipeg

The Liberals’ legacy

Re: “Political winds changing” (Letters, Feb. 8)

Brian Dyck’s letter provided examples of why the political winds of the last nine years are indeed changing. He suggests the “axe the tax” slogan has come back to haunt the federal Conservatives. He can be confident they do not consider it haunting that Freeland, Carney and most Canadians have adopted the same position.

Wanting to associate Conservatve Leader Pierre Poilievre with the “unhinged” leader to our south is disingenuous. Poilievre’s policies of strengthening the border, clamping down on fentanyl dealers and putting “Canada first” is one the Liberals should have implemented years ago, if they had we would not be in the current mess nor had as many overdose deaths.

The Liberal record in international politics is not one of “grace and diplomacy.” The best example is when Trudeau disgraced all Canadians by playing dress-up and dancing while on an official visit to India. Singing and celebrating in a bar while in London prior to the queen’s funeral was not a display of grace or diplomacy.

The Liberal record on the economy, border crossing, money laundering, NATO, the military, lack of housing, high cost of living, stress on services due to excessive immigration, and growing deficits are just some of the reasons Canadians have come to their senses and will not be voting Liberal.

Brian McAughey

Winnipeg

Appreciating the flag

Over the past two weeks, the Free Press has done superb coverage of the tariff issue between Canada and U.S. During this period, Canadians have become far more patriotic, stating that Canada is a free sovereign country choosing its own destiny. This strong feeling of who we are and what we can do as a nation, all under the banner of the maple leaf, has provided substance and identity for us all.

As a nation, Canadians have already achieved recognition throughout North America and throughout the world, whenever and wherever our national flag is flown. The flag belongs to all Canadians, it is an emblem we all share.

Although simple in design, Canada’s flag well reflects the common values we hold so dear such as: freedom, peace, respect, justice and tolerance. In addition the maple leaf on our flag pays homage to our geography, reflects the grandeur of our history and represents our national identity.

Before the coming of the first settlers, Indigenous peoples here had discovered the food properties of maple sap. Also, the red and white are Canada’s official colours, a symbolic element on our flag.

Our national flag is a symbol that unites Canadians and expresses throughout the world our pride, being a Canadian.

My closing remark; our flag honours Canadians of all origins who have helped to build and are continuing to build our great country for the future.

Peter John Manastyrsky

Winnipeg

Harmful mindset

Re: PC leadership hopeful criticized for homeless comments (Feb. 7)

After reading the article on Wally Daudrich and his views on homeless people in the Free Press, I’m sure I wasn’t the only one scratching my head.

How could anyone in an election say such hurtful things and imagine coming out with a victory? It seems that his mindset runs along those same dead-end tracks as the past PC premier, who brushed aside the idea to search the landfill for the remains of women so many times.

If this guy thinks polar bears are the answer to homelessness, perhaps he should become the leader of the Tories. How incredibly easy would it be for the NDP in the next provincial election?

I, for one, would not spend my vacation time in the states — or on an eco-tour in Churchill — after hearing the resemblance between Daudrich and Trump when it comes to verbally abusing people.

Good luck, Tories.

Harry Peterson

Winnipeg

Old war plans

Re: Trump is not the first American to covet Canada (Think Tank, Feb. 7)

Allan Levine’s scholarly, but lively, pieces are among the reasons for my continuing a subscription to the Free Press. So yes, in 1812, the United States did indeed attempt to annex British North America. However, that was not, by far, the most recent instance of overweening American territorial ambitions.

Between 1918 and 1939, the United States developed War Plan Red, a plan aimed at what was then the British Empire, but with immediate focus on Canada (since we are, after all, nearby and strategically important). Australia and New Zealand would also have been eventual recipients of America’s aggression — since they, too, had resources worth owning.

With that in mind, I hope that one of Levine’s future pieces will encompass War Plan Red. The Free Press’s readers deserve to be more aware of the extent to which America has disrespected Canada and questioned our right to exist as an entity independent of our southern neighbour.

Edward Keith Bricknell

Toronto, Ont.

No need to twin highway

Re: Whiteshell park users scrutinize highway twinning project (Feb. 7)

As someone who has travelled Highway 1 to my cottage in Ontario for 58 years, I know the area well, and experienced the often-slow traffic from Falcon Lake to the Ontario border.

However, the time and distance from Falcon Lake to the border is not really a hardship.

Considering all of the environmental factors, the impact on people’s properties and businesses, and the cost, I suggest that the plan to twin the highway be abandoned. It is a short distance to the border, and the impact as mentioned is far more worthy of consideration than saving a few minutes off our travel time.

Patience and driving awareness have more value than the cost of this project.

Brad McKay

Winnipeg

Comparing countries

Our parliament is prorogued, yet our government functions and is a sea of calm. But in the U.S., a president who has a trifecta of power is causing mayhem to the world.

I ask my fellow Canadians who seek to make Canada a republic this:

Peace, order and good government, or chaos. The Canadian way, or the U.S. way? Which do you choose?

Jamie Bonner

Winnipeg