Funding defence

Re: “Snowbirds can wait” (Letters, May 26)

Gerald Farthing’s claim that there are greater priorities for Canadians than funding the Snowbirds is dead-on, and what’s ironic about the fuss some Canadians are making over the issue is the fact no one has seemed particularly concerned as successive governments during the past half-century continually underspent on the nation’s military in general.

Most of this neglect began when Pierre Trudeau was prime minister. He pointedly avoided service during the Second World War; then, as prime minister, he was quick to criticize American involvement in Vietnam while cynically claiming Canadian defence spending could be minimized since the U.S. would protect us regardless. Former prime minister Jean Chretien was no better, as he stated that any money designated at all for the military was too much from the outset. Other national leaders, from Brian Mulroney to Justin Trudeau, were in much the same category with the result being that, after 50-plus years of neglect, the new defence commitments might take even longer to rectify, especially as the Canadian government has the reputation of consistent foot-dragging and indecision when it comes to modernizing its armed forces and attracting new recruits.

Up the creek without a…

Last Sunday I launched my kayak in the Red River for the first time this season, late as it may be (thanks, spring). The launch, from St. John’s Park, my home base, was quite muddy and is usually quite awkward. The next available and accessible kayak launch/dock is at The Forks Historic Port and that isn’t in yet.

Sure, there are other options. Louise Bridge has a concrete pad, there’s the Canoe and Kayak Centre on Churchill Drive, the Main Street launch at the Perimeter. The only other easily accessible launch is at John Bruce Park on the Seine River, on the other side of the city from me.

There are future options, such as Little Forks, the proposed new federal park development in Point Douglas, and The Forks’ plan for Alexander Docks, but neither is underway.

A cheque for some, a tax for others

Re: Manitoba renters to start getting quarterly cheques from the government (May 8)

I can’t help wondering who they hoped to benefit when someone came up with this ridiculous idea. Many of us look forward to our tax refund as a “mini lottery.”

We have a cheque to use for replacing an appliance or a piece of furniture. Or it may be used to buy the kids new bikes. A monthly cheque is too easily absorbed in buying overly expensive daily necessities. It’s rare that we could set aside that amount for a special purchase. If we don’t have it we can’t spend it.

Greed in Manitoba

Re: War spikes inflation to tops in Canada (May 20)

I disagree that the U.S./Israel/Iran war is the cause of Manitoba’s inflation rate jumping to new heights. Had the war been responsible, the inflation rate would have been more or less the same across Canada.

I acknowledge that the war has grossly affected supply line chains by hindering movement of goods, and the interruption in the flow of oil to international markets has affected fuel and transportation costs, but this is equally true across Canada. Manitoba has not been more affected than other areas. No, the cause is not so complex or nuanced. Our inflation rate is through the stratosphere because of corporate greed exploiting our vulnerabilities.