Letters, Oct. 18

Move fast on detention site

Re: MLAs told detention bill rushed and incomplete (Oct. 17)

The proposed preventative detention site on Disraeli deserves support and should be implemented as quickly as possible.

There were 570 people who died of overdoses in Winnipeg last year.

No one has the solution to the illicit drug overdose situation.

Our paramedics, firefighters and emergency room doctors and nurses are exhausted from dealing with overdoses.

The inebriation and health impact from illicit drugs, requires a longer stay than from alcohol.

There is no perfect location for a protective detention site, however, this site provides potential for separation from major residential areas.

It is essential that the police patrol to ensure drug dealers are not able to access addicts.

A program must be in place to escort detainees to their residence or a place of safety when they are released.

Sel Burrows

Winnipeg

It is easy to be a critic. However, I suspect the legislation proposed by Premier Wab Kinew, and supported by Mayor Scott Gillingham and Winnipeg Police Service Chief Gene Bowers, is broadly supported by Manitobans, and for good reason. Given the consequences of the chaos that drugs like meth and fentanyl unleash, extended protective custody seems like a useful step. Kinew’s view also seems to represent the feelings of the vast majority of Manitobans.

The dual purpose of Bill 48, the Protective Detention and Care of Intoxicated Persons Act, is to both protect the public from drug-addled attacks and senseless crime. It will also protect the individuals detained from self-harm and death by misadventure. We know that hundreds of people have died as a result of drug use, and there is no accurate accounting for the damage to lives and property. We know we are in the midst of a crisis.

Although a Charter challenge is probably inevitable, the government should push to improve the legislation where possible, and pass it quickly. If Bill 48 does face a Charter challenge, the government can always use Section 33 of our Charter, the notwithstanding clause to defend the legislation. At least it will to give the province five years to see whether the initiative actually makes a difference.

Jerry Storie

Winnipeg

Important distinctions

Re: Wolseley’s contemptible legacy must be wiped from school (Oct. 17)

I am writing in regard to Tom Brodbeck’s opinion piece. I particularly note the following comment: “People worry it’s the start of a slippery slope — that soon every historical figure will be judged and found wanting. But we have to distinguish between imperfect historical figures and those whose primary legacy is rooted in violence and racial hatred.”

Brodbeck is to be credited for making this distinction. Even critics of “presentism” must acknowledge that certain actions cannot be excused even by the most tolerant of observers.

Yet I do not share Brodbeck’s optimism that most people can recognize the distinction. What one person characterizes as unfortunate attitudes attributable to the times, another will denounce as racial hatred not forgivable under any circumstances

In previous columns, Brodbeck has demonstrated a good knowledge of Manitoba’s history. Unfortunately, this comprehensive knowledge is not shared by most citizens. This increases the difficulty in drawing the line which Brodbeck rightfully discusses.

I am pessimistic that we can escape an avalanche of renaming based on an attempt to be sensitive to every concern. Time will tell if Brodbeck or I am correct.

Kurt Clyde

Winnipeg

Work now, dance later

If you’ve perused your way through TikTok, you might have come across various ministers and NDP MLAs dancing in a jovial manner, in a variety of uploads.

What are we supposed to be rejoicing in: extended waits in ERs and urgent care, or higher food prices?

I find it grossly irresponsible and insulting to Manitobans struggling like never before. The issues we face are serious ones and warrant appropriate consideration devoid of idiotic dance moves. The dance floor is full of two left feet.

Harriet Berkal

Winnipeg

Carney must be more open

Re: “Carney’s complicated struggles with Trump” (Letters, Oct. 16)

Two days ago Jason Sudyn and April Phillips both submitted well-written and thoughtful letters to the editor regarding Carney’s approach to achieving an economic relationship with the U.S. I agree with them both.

However, I feel Carney has to be more open with Canadians on the situation. I realize he can’t reveal his hand completely but many Canadians are losing faith because they see no “elbows up” approach and no deal when many other countries have settled on arrangements.

His approach is both deep and subtle and beyond the approach that many would feel needs to be taken. By being more open, I think more Canadians would grasp the significance of his approach.

Art Quanbury

River Hills

Good news on health front

Re: More than 30 U.S. doctors on path to Manitoba (Oct. 16)

Kudos to Doctors Manitoba, the College of Physicians and Surgeons and the Manitoba government for their efforts recruiting healthcare professionals, particularly physicians, from the U.S.

As health critic of the Green Party of Manitoba, we applaud concerted efforts by our province to recruit not only healthcare professionals but health researchers, scientists and academics from south of the border.

We encourage both the provincial and federal governments to increase funding levels to welcome these highly trained individuals, at a truly historic time when the support for science, public health and education in the U.S. plummet to depths never before seen in our lifetimes.

Dennis Bayomi

Winnipeg

Must-read tomes

Over the past two years, the Free Press has published numerous articles regarding efforts by certain self-appointed guardians of the public morality — in Manitoba and elsewhere in Canada, and in countless locations throughout the United States — to have certain books removed from the shelves of public and school libraries.

I understand that there are instances (albeit rare) where these zealous advocates have actually read the books they seek to suppress.

Many of the impugned works were authored by the recipients of some of most prestigious awards in the literary world (think Toni Morrison, Maya Angelou, and Margaret Atwood, to name but a few). A lot of them are (for now, at least) available at the Winnipeg Public Library.

The Free Press is to be congratulated for this tremendous public service. Now I know which titles to add to my reading list.

Dean Scaletta

Winnipeg

American-made memorial

Re: Police dog memorial unveiled (Oct. 15)

Kudos. A well-deserved and long-overdue tribute to those four-legged members of the WPS.

The only problem is the fact that they went to the U.S. to get it, from an artist from California.

That “Buy Canadian” mantra didn’t last long.

Brian Short

Stonewall