Letters, Jan. 30

Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 30/01/2023 (989 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Province must be accountable

Re: New health funding deal with provinces to be discussed at cabinet retreat in Hamilton (Jan. 23)

So, since the Harper government was in power, continuing through the Trudeau years, health-care funding was increasing at the rate of inflation, and now we’re informed that Manitoba is poised to receive an unprecedented windfall of money from the Trudeau/Singh federal government. At the same time, listening to the whining from the provincial premiers’ offices about how they require increases seems more than contradictory and disingenuous. We know the Pallister/Stefanson Conservatives have been reducing spending while receiving increases.

I, for one, stand with the federal government in wanting some accountability for what the provinces receive — at the absolute bare minimum, an actual accounting that the monies received were in fact spent on health care. We’ve experienced nothing but austerity and disaster where our provincial health care is concerned. The money received can no longer simply disappear into the general revenues of the province.

Robert Gordon

Winnipeg

Stronger action needed

Excellent column by Shannon Sampert (“Threats are not legitimate political expression,” Jan. 26). She is right; threats are not legitimate political expression. Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre has helped to fan this fire with all his “it’s Trudeau’s fault” rhetoric.

Last year’s “freedom convoy” showed just how much over the line some people have gone. I consider it a threat if someone is displaying a noose. There has already been a credible attempt on the prime minister’s life, and a large man stalked and harassed Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland in Alberta.

Stronger action is needed against these threats.

Leanne Hanuschuk

Winnipeg

Not for sale

I’m a senior citizen on a fixed income who sees the cost of living rising each day, but, I want to see services (health care, education, security, etc.) maintained rather than to receive another vote-buying cheque from the provincial government.

And, if I do receive a cheque, I’m going to donate it to an opposition party! I suggest others do the same.

Greg Giesbrecht

Winnipeg

NHL schedule punishing

Re: Predators take bite out of tired Jets squad (Jan. 24)

I am tired of reading about how the Winnipeg Jets, or any another NHL team, for that matter, were simply too tired to perform well enough to win a game. “There’s no doubt the Jets were a tired group having to play their fifth game in eight nights, and at times it looked like fatigue played a factor.”

The NHL should cease being so focused on the almighty dollar and shorten the 82-game marathon schedule so teams don’t have to play too many games in too few nights. As a result, fans won’t be cheated with subpar performances at exorbitant ticket prices.

Remember when the whole NHL schedule was just 70 games? But that won’t happen as long as gullible fans keep paying the price.

John Kosowski

Winnipeg

Let employers decide

Re: City ponders letting employees pick own stat holidays to reflect culture (Jan. 24)

Changing employment standards to match statutory holidays with city workers’ “cultural priorities” is an unnecessary (and not asked-for) change.

As I mentioned when I was interviewed recently on this subject (I am president of a human resources consulting company), I deal with difficult questions every day from my clients (companies, non-profits and religious organizations). In the past 10 years, I have never been asked a question on this issue.

Why ? Because its not an issue — organizations already reasonably accommodate their employees who want or need to take time off work for their faith.

As well, I and many others found it amusing that Dr. Abdulrehman mentioned “overworked employees.” Is he suggesting that is the case at the City of Winnipeg ? It’s also interesting that he posits that “new celebrations will lead to spending that will help the economy.” Hmm… maybe if the good doctor’s background were in economics, not psychology, this theory of his would carry more weight.

Our city has lots of problems. Don’t our elected representatives have more important work to do than to placate groups by overreaching? Let managers manage!

Derek Rolstone

Winnipeg

Funding education

Re: “Show me the money” (Letters, Jan. 25) and Majority of Manitobans would support redirect of school tax rebates: poll (Jan. 20).

I worry that David Pelland’s letter is emblematic of three broader misunderstandings surrounding polls and property tax.

First, the inability to distinguish opinion from fact. Just because you do not believe 58 per cent of your fellow citizens are against the property tax rebate does not make it so. The practice of asking critical questions about sources is commendable, but the skeptical questions the author raises about the poll aren’t genuine — they are answered in the article, and in the report itself. In this case, belief made the author unable to even consider the results of the poll.

Second, people do not seem to know what these property taxes support: public education. Not once does the author recognize why Manitobans may be willing to pay this tax: because they believe in a proudly, robustly and consistently funded public education system; because they consider public education a societal responsibility and an investment; because they recognize that their own K-12 education was supported.

Third, Manitobans seem largely misinformed about the property tax rebates: a) these rebates are largely benefitting the top 10 per cent of the population; b) the government is deficit-financing these rebates. The government is still responsible for the same costs, but these rebates mean $450 million less to spend on public services. So, the government needs to borrow this money in order to pay corporations millions of dollars.

Instead of property owners making an investment in public education, we’ve taken out a loan and given the money to a mall.

Shannon Moore

Winnipeg

Let’s clear things up

Re: That’s snow biz (Letters, Jan. 26)

Kim Trethart offers the perfect solution to Winnipeg’s snow plowing woes: do nothing, just wait until spring and let it melt. This approach might be suitable for those who are young, able-bodied, and healthy; however, it presents serious difficulties for everyone else.

People with mobility issues have fought long and hard for increased accessibility. This solution would erase all those hard-won freedoms. This solution would restrict accessibility for elders and people with chronic and acute health issues. Can you envision what it would be like having to climb and plod through snow mountains to get to cancer treatment appointments, as one example? I don’t think Trethart is able to.

Trethart’s perfect solution also presents challenges for workers such as police, firefighters and paramedics trying to respond to emergencies in life-and-death situations. Trethart would likely laud the benefits of fires as a way to melt the snow.

What a brilliant solution… not so much.

Ariel Lee

Winnipeg