Letters, Oct. 10

Opinion

Need better bullying strategy

Re: Police probe assault on Ukrainian teen at school (Oct. 8)

This is appalling. I live in Charleswood and my heart goes out to this poor girl and her family, I hope they get justice (such as it is) and find healing. To think of going through all they did to come here, then get treated like this, reflects very poorly on their Canadian experience.

Our approach to bullying, assault, and their consequences clearly needs a hard reset, as what is occurring now is clearly not working. If it were up to me, these girls would be expelled, at least for the rest of the year, and have to do learning at home to stay caught up. I would suggest the following interventions may also be appropriate, all depending upon the individual abilities, capacity, and situation of each girl.

They should have to learn about Ukraine, the conflict going on there, talk to local Ukrainian newcomers, and volunteer with organizations that assist Ukraine newcomers, in a measure of restorative justice. They should have to have counselling, and learn about the effects of bullying on others. They should have to participate in family group conferencing, and face the girl, her family, and other community members to dialogue and truly learn the impact of what they have done and how they can improve. As things stand now, they will likely get a slap on a wrist, a suspension, and likely little else. There should also be criminal charges and subsequent consequences applied according to our youth criminal code, which also desperately needs an overhaul.

I would respectfully disagree with Canada Research Chair Tracy Vaillancourt, who stated that such physically aggressive behaviour is unusual for girls, especially those in high school. I don’t know what Ms. Vaillancourt’s experiences have been with high school-aged girls, but from what I have experienced both in my personal and professional life, girls are just as prone to physical violence as anyone else, in particular when they are acting in group “mean girls” style mentality, and to suggest otherwise seems quite naive and reliant upon gender stereotypes rather than reality.

I hope that this is a wake-up call to Pembina Trails School Division, and to all Winnipeg school divisions, that our current bullying interventions are clearly not optimal and need serious changes to ensure student safety.

Rachel Wheeler

Winnipeg

Winnipeg needs transit vision

Re: NDP neglects public transport on path to net zero (Oct. 8)

I agree entirely with Tom Brodbeck that Manitoba and Winnipeg need to make a “big bold investment in public transit” but I believe that Winnipeg and Manitoba need to go one step further and commit to building a light rail transit spine by 2035.

Winnipeg is now the largest metropolitan area in Canada without rail transit or plans to build rail transit. Smaller cities including Kitchener-Waterloo, Hamilton and Gatineau already have an LRT or are in the process of building an LRT. Without good rapid transit, Winnipeg will fail to attract students and newcomers dependent on efficient transit, and our young people will continue to leave in even larger numbers. Imagine how well Winnipeg Transit’s new spine and feeder system would work if the north-south and east-west spines were a light rail system with grade-separated lines and trains running every five to eight minutes though modern light rail stations and never being held up by road traffic.

Manitoba has the green electricity to power an LRT system. And building such a system will create hundreds if not thousands of well-paying jobs. Let’s have the vision to make an LRT system Winnipeg and Manitoba’s cornerstone zero-emission project. Yes, this will be expensive but the decision not to do so will ultimately cost us more — our future.

Robert Vineberg

Winnipeg

Disappointed in PM

Re: Trump says trade talks will make Carney ‘very happy’ (Oct. 8)

I would imagine this photo of Prime Minister Mark Carney and U.S. President Donald Trump is front and centre on most print media across Canada and many other countries in the world.

My first reaction to the photo was absolute discomfort, looking at Carney with this dangerous, unhinged man. Members of the Congress are speaking out about implementing the 25th amendment of the U.S. constitution, believing Trump is unwell and unfit to continue in office. I understand the need to solve the tariff problem, but I don’t believe Canada will get a good deal, no matter how long and hard we negotiate.

Perhaps Carney should take a page out of Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s playbook and take a tougher, more combative approach, rather than playing mister nice guy! At this point after months of talks what has Canada gained? Nothing. And regarding Trump’s statement about the people of Canada loving him? Not going to happen.

Terry Meindl

Winnipeg

Remembering Jane Goodall

When I saw Dr. Jane Goodall speak at the University of Winnipeg Sept. 11, 2015, she brought to the podium with her a toy chimp and a toy cow, plush representatives of the beings she advocated for. She stopped eating meat in the late 1960s after learning about the suffering of animals in intensive farming systems and associating the flesh on her plate with fear, pain and death. But she also spoke out against animal agriculture for the havoc it wreaks on our planet including climate change, biodiversity loss and eco-system collapse.

Her message of peace between all species is needed now more than ever. Rest in Power, Dr. Jane. Our animal cousins and the natural world are lucky to have had you raising your voice and sharing your passion on their behalf.

Debbie Wall

Winnipeg

Seniors deserve more than symbolism

Re: Hopes high as province names first seniors advocate (Oct. 6).

The appointment of Manitoba’s first Seniors Advocate is a welcome step. As the Free Press reported, hopes are high that this office will be “a strong voice Manitobans can count on.” But without investigatory powers, the office risks being symbolic.

A watchdog without teeth cannot protect our elders. The advocate must be able to compel documents, access facilities, and hold corporations, as legal persons, accountable when their decisions — or their lack of action — harm seniors. These powers are not optional; they are the foundation of real protection.

Equally vital is interpretive expertise. Administrative training alone does not equip one to recognize the lived realities of seniors in long-term care, home care, or housing. Without lived, clinical, or research experience, the truth of seniors’ experiences risks being lost in translation.

Community voices quoted in the article, from Eddie Calisto Tavares to Tom Simms, remind us that authentic advocacy requires both teeth and trust. The solution is clear: grant investigatory powers in law, and embed care expertise structurally through an advisory council of elders and caregivers, mandatory consultation with gerontological experts, and senior staff roles requiring direct care experience.

Seniors and elders built this province. They deserve more than symbolism: more than a promise kept, the office must be a true safeguard.

Anne Thompson

Winnipeg