Letters, Feb. 21

Public inquiry gailing

Re: Developer ‘aggressively’ pursued HQ contract (Feb. 20)

As I read the coverage on the public inquiry regarding the police headquarters project, I am increasingly concerned that the inquiry will not achieve its stated objective. The goal is to determine what went wrong, which processes failed, why the project went so far over budget and what should be done to prevent this from happening again.

We have heard a lot over the years, and again so far during this inquiry, about former Winnipeg CAO Phil Sheegl’s and former mayor Sam Katz’s potential misconduct. While that may explain why Caspian Construction was able to get on to the bidders list, it does not explain how they became the successful bidder. The mayor and CAO do not make the final decision on who wins the contract.

Questions need to be answered about the process for such large contracts.

How are the bids and bidders scrutinized to ensure the bids are accurate and realistic? And how is it determined whether a bidder is capable of managing a project of this size (i.e. the lowest bidder is not necessarily the best value)? Are the people doing this review being heard when they provide their feedback, or is the culture simply to tell “management” what it wants to hear? Was there an experienced project manager assigned by the city to oversee the project? Were there clear project milestones that, if not achieved, resulted in corrective action?

I could go on, but the point is that we are not getting to the root cause of problem talking about a single bribe. This is not the first city project that has gone over budget.

If we truly want to prevent this from happening again, let’s understand what went wrong in the process and make lasting systemic changes to prevent it from happening again.

Robert Blundell

Winnipeg

Strangling Cuba threatens Canada

U.S. President Donald Trump has escalated the attack on Cuba’s sovereignty. Last month he lashed out to stop the flow of oil to the island nation, intending to strangle the population into submission. This aggression is also a threat and warning to Canada.

The U.S. invasion of Venezuela and extortion of Mexico has cut over 75 per cent of Cuba’s oil supply over night. Ten per cent of the supply still comes from Russia. Mexico and China are providing some humanitarian necessities which are needed but insufficient.

Trump declared his aim is to overthrow the Cuban government by the end of the year. In his typical fashion of exaggeration and hyperbole he claims the country is a threat to the U.S. Again, Trump has weaponized his flagrant lies as Cuba has never been a military or economic threat.

The oil embargo and tariff threats against countries able to supply oil to Cuba, has worsened the living situation for millions of Cubans. The president is creating a humanitarian crisis. Fuel is at the heart of Cuba’s economy and therefore its suffering. Without fuel, Cuban hospitals, schools, water and sanitation, transport networks, and food distribution will collapse. The intention of the increased pressure is to create hunger, medicine shortages, electrical blackouts, and therefore make Cubans suffer.

I am not religious but I suspect there is a special place in hell for those who intentionally use the suffering of others, of children, to fulfil their egotistical ambitions. I don’t know where those who could intervene, but fail to stop the suffering, will rest.

For decades Cubans have struggled under the cloud of American anger. The Cuban people are an example of how a country can promote global peace and social development, which is contrary to American demands to accept subservience by threats and armed interventions.

This blatant act of aggression is a threat to Canada and other countries in the immediate region. Trump is rupturing every international law and rule, democratic convention, moral lesson, or ethical principle. For him to get away with his aggression will mean every small or middle-size country will be vulnerable to his whim. In the meantime, not to confront this kind of arrogant threat will mean global instability. Every country and international institution will be cautious and reticent about trade, financial transactions, cultural exchanges, and collaboration on multilateral agreements.

Millions of Canadians travel to Cuba and have developed strong bonds of friendship. Thousands of Cubans reside in Canada, many of whom are Canadian citizens. The Canadian government has supported and defended Cuba for decades, defiant of U.S. pressure to isolate the country.

I cannot imagine any Canadian is supporting the brutal aggression of the U.S.

As a Canadian, I encourage our government to act on my behalf to stop this aggression. I believe Canada can provide humanitarian fuel shipments immediately as a fuel shortage is at the heart of Cuba’s suffering. Canada is not bound by the U.S. embargo and can legally supply refined petroleum under FEMA’s provisions.

Canada can intervene to reinstate flights to and from Cuba. There are alternatives for supplying fuel as European airlines have arranged, so there is no reason to suspend connections. The exchange between Canadians and Cubans is essential for our common sustainability.

Canada’s identity is based on a history of international solidarity. As a nation and a people we seek autonomy, value diplomacy, help those suffering, and chose to avoid unnecessary confrontation while standing firm on principle. Today, that identity is being tested.

Dennis Lewycky

Winnipeg

A real loss

Re: The quiet, sustaining architecture of volunteer leadership (Think Tank, Feb. 19)

Stephen Borys’ Think Tank column inspired me to respond about the most quiet and gracious man, Mr. William (Bill) Loewen, that helped chart my life and career. I’m not talking about the successful, philanthropist and gentleman that he was portrayed as, but the young Bill Loewen who had just started up a new business in Winnipeg, Comcheq Payroll Services, in 1965.

At the time of meeting Bill I had just started work in 1966 at Campbell’s Soup Co. Ltd. in Portage la Prairie. I was a supervisor in the accounting department and one of my responsibilities was the payroll system. Like a lot of businesses at the time, payroll was done in-house on antiquated systems that were very labour intensive.

I was tasked with updating the payroll system and, having heard of Comcheq, they were my first and only call. On meeting with Bill and discussing how we could proceed with converting the payroll services to his new and innovative company, everything just fell in place with complete confidence.

If my memory serves me right, I believe we were his sixth customer and also his largest at that time. This was a huge step for Campbell’s as they had never outsourced anything as sensitive as employees’ paycheques. Needless to say, everything went well.

When I moved back to Winnipeg I eventually joined a small but rapidly growing and progressive agricultural company that was looking to update their payroll system. Of course that was my first task. Having stayed in touch with Bill over the years, and a few lunches at the Paddlewheel restaurant, he was again my first phone call. That was the beginning of a 30 year career, eventually moving over as personnel manager. Again, needless to say, everything went well.

I was so saddened when I read Bill’s obituary in the Free Press but “thank you, Bill” for a helping me carve out a great career.

I’m sure there are many similar stories of the man behind the scenes and I’m very proud of knowing that man. Thank you, Stephen Borys, for your inspiration in remembering him.

James Hannah

Winnipeg