Letters, Nov. 26

Don’t subsidize unsafe drivers

Re: NDP re-introduces bill to preserve MPI insurance model (Nov. 24)

The provincial government is only telling part of the story in defending its decision to introduce legislation contrary to Public Utilities Board orders.

Sure, the current auto insurance model where premiums are based on the driving record of the registered owner results in lower premiums for many “deserving” groups such as young people living with parents and new immigrants. However, do we really want drivers to enjoy this substantial financial benefit for more than five years?

The bigger omission is the benefit to those with very unsafe driving records (say -5 and lower) who register vehicles under a safe driver’s name. Do we all want convicted impaired drivers to enjoy up to 48 per cent discounts (by having a spouse register the vehicle, for instance)?

If MPI and the premier really want to promote safe driving and fair pricing, the legislation would include guardrails preventing drivers with poor driving records from enjoying this significant benefit. Placing limits on the number of vehicles registered under a person’s name also makes sense, if only to discourage the safest drivers from registering vehicles for unsafe drivers.

I am one of many folks who support public auto insurance but draw the line at subsidizing the cost of unsafe, particularly impaired, drivers. I would expect nothing less of a premier who has expressed “tough on crime” sentiments. Instead, he’s legislating a loophole.

Michelle Burdz

Winnipeg

Let church have fence

Re: North End church says prayer for fence (Nov. 24)

I don’t understand the refusal of the city to allow a fence to be built at the St. John Cantius Church.

As far as esthetics go it would not be ideal, but it would be better than destruction by fire or other means. That is a beautiful building and it and the parishioners deserve protection from harm.

Marie Carrington

Winnipeg

Winnipeg planners are disallowing the construction of an affordable nine-foot tall chain-link fence with barbed wire at the top in a residential area because of sightline issues and not complimenting the neighbourhood.

For one thing, anyone can easily see through a chain-link fence which dismisses sightline issues. Have they considered other issues that do not complement the neighbourhood such as broken, damaged and unpainted residential fences and homes and garages that need painting and repairs? A brand-new, tall, shiny, link fence erected to address personal safety and property protection concerns by the St. John Cantius Church would be a welcome blessing to the neighbourhood.

Robert J. Moskal

Winnipeg

Little hope for justice

I would hope Canadians have come to terms with the grave threat that U.S. President Donald Trump’s Ukraine-Russia peace plan represents not only for the free world but Canada in particular. The position of the American administration is to defend the annexation of Ukrainian territory, the kidnapping of Ukrainian children and the utter decimation of a country’s population, cities and towns.

A ceasefire does little to assuage what will be the long-term effects of the trauma the war has unleashed upon an entire nation, a conflict which could have ended long ago if not for the ineptitude and callous indifference of the United States and its preference to hedge its bets rather than demonstrate its commitment to the rule of law and international order.

History has indeed repeated itself.

The annexation of Ukrainian territory will simply provide a template which the most powerful nations will seize upon in the years ahead, knowing full well there will be a small if any price to be paid. As the world further splinters into three major spheres of influence, we are all exposed and no country more so than Canada. It ought to remembered that Trump has twisted himself into knots trying to define his position on the conflict which is not altogether difficult to understand given the shifting nature of the personal benefits he calculates as part of any deal making he embarks upon.

A real and fair end to this conflict would see Russian President Vladimir Putin defeated, deposed and convicted of crimes against humanity. A rational Trump would recognize the opportunity that awaits him but his obvious servitude even if it’s not being extorted by Putin, leaves little hope that justice will be served and hence that ought to concern all of us.

Dan Donahue

Winnipeg

Consider the green space

Re: Civic officials concerned about veto in Municipal Board decision on city-owned Granite-leased parking lot (Nov. 17)

Winnipeg undeniably needs more affordable housing, and the builder chosen for the proposed 11-storey residence on the Granite Curling Club parking lot has a trusted reputation. At the same time, it is equally clear that downtown requires more parks and recreational spaces as the population grows and as the city seeks to attract tourism dollars.

The city’s own strategic action priorities go further, calling for the transformation of surface parking lots, vacant buildings, and other desirable sites into green spaces and parks to expand the urban canopy and improve connectivity along waterways.

Downtown already has an abundance of surface parking lots. The Granite lot is not just another one — it sits on a high value riparian asset. Even as a parking lot, it functions as a placeholder that offers a scenic vista to all who pass by, a view that any permanent building would erase.

Importantly, the Granite property is zoned as “riverbank sector,” the same designation as Bonnycastle and Waterfront parks. This zoning is intended primarily for public use and enjoyment, encouraging continuous linear parkways and gathering spaces. Yet in this case, rules were suspended to fast track development, bypassing the usual oversight.

In a downtown where the green river network is already difficult to see amid building density, true greenspace equity would mean better access to waterways for everyone. Preserving and enhancing riparian corridors is not only about public enjoyment — it also delivers climate resilience and biodiversity benefits that Winnipeg cannot afford to overlook.

Pam Lucenkiw

Winnipeg

Matter of rights

Re: Rally urges reforms for new 72-hour detox detention (Nov. 23)

Those who are high on meth or other substances they choose to take are protesting that they should not be detained for 72 hours as it is inhumane. But it’s OK if they are a threat to themselves and others as they wander around the city high.

It is also OK if they are at the hospitals several times a week getting treatment for taking these drugs or for overdoses.

It’s ridiculous to me that non-contributing members of society, on whom we spend thousands of dollars a year trying to help, demand that their rights take precedence over public safety.

Stewart Jacques

Winnipeg