Opinion

Low taxes not worth the cost

Re: Premier grilled about 10 per cent PST claim (May 5)

Premier Heather Stefanson is very clear for her disdain for PST taxes. Growing the economy to suit her system of preferred choice is not the system that’s going to help when your organs decide it’s not going your way today.

All we have is our good health. If protection and rebuilding a health-care system that is supported with facts becomes such a scary costly notion, then we we have nothing.

Whether you are rich or poor, we all feel the same ache and pain when our health decides for us.

I’m ready to listen and invest in a system that assures me that every second counts, that I have a local ambulance that is available and get me to a local hospital that has a doctor available.

That’s a very reasonable subject to discuss and ponder on this voting year.

Gisele Bedard

Beausejour, Man.

Stefanson asserts the NDP are “getting away with” not explaining to Manitobans how it would raise money to pay for programs.

Meanwhile, the Conservatives are “getting away with” not fixing or explaining to Manitobans why they can’t fix the health-care system.

Ursula Delfing

Winnipeg

Many solutions to bike-theft issue

Re: Breaking the cycle (May 6)

Thanks to Matthew Frank for article on stolen bikes.

I was involved in the campaign back in 2019 to implement a better stolen bike recovery program. The rejected policy mentioned in the article was moved by Coun. Eadie and was originally suggested by a police constable assigned to the community support unit in the North End.

There are solutions to many of our crime problems, looking at other cities’ successes. Working with bike sellers, and community campaigns to increase free registration are methods the city should adopt. Continuing failed programs should not be accepted

The Free Press plays an important role in identifying important issues. Thanks

SEL BURROWS

Winnipeg

Thoughts on roadwork

Re: Breaking the bottleneck (May 6)

While I applaud the idea of trying to beautify our roads, I wonder if the designers have really thought about the year-round scenario.

The drawing shows mature trees on a boulevard of about 15 feet (4.6 metres) wide. Looking at similar boulevards on major roads, it is apparent that winter salt spray has killed all the plant life except some hardy weeds.

Mature trees would have deep enough roots to survive the salt, but they would take decades to reach that size. Until we find a way of preventing the salt spray from getting on the boulevard, it will be a wasteland.

James Wingert

Winnipeg

The active transportation (AT) network needs to be expanded and improved around Kenaston Boulevard/Route 90.

Sadly, the acquisition/lease and repurposing of the St. James rail bridge and abandoned rail line parallel to St. James Street for AT is not in this plan. This idea would better serve all the surrounding areas with connection to the existing enhanced bike lanes and paths, diamond lanes and bus stops on Portage Avenue, access to Assiniboia Park and Polo Park, and for the future residential plans along St. James Street.

There are also additional opportunities for recreation on the south side of the bridge and this area overlooks Theodore Niizhotay Fontaine Park and the former Assiniboia Indian Residential School. There is an opportunity to provide awareness and education by increasing pedestrian and cyclist traffic and recreation overlooking this site. But for now we have an abandoned rail bridge serving no purpose.

Kelly Ryback

Winnipeg

Hey, down in front

At 3 a.m. I awoke and switched on the CBC telecast of the coronation at Westminster Abbey. I enjoyed the program and the event.

However I hope I am not being too much of a nitpicker when I observed that from a particular camera location, the view of the front rows of the royal family shows Princess Ann sitting directly in front of Prince Harry.

That should not matter, but the problem was her headgear was topped by a red plume (probably part of her uniform) that from that camera angle obscured Harry’s face.

Rather ironic that after all the negative press about “the spare” that he was seated in that location. Personally I am pleased that he was able to attend such a special event as his father’s coronation.

Doug Belcher

Winnipeg

Coronation great viewing

Well, even for a limp, diminished version, it was a pretty good coronation, folks.

Apart from the republican whacko boo-birds who tried to spread a bit of misery around (thank goodness the crowds drowned them out), the whole day was aglow with good vibes all round.

Pity President Biden couldn’t break with seeming “tradition” and attend. It would surely have proved a real boost for Anglo-American relations after the damage Mr. MAGA did to them.

I would think, had circumstances conspired to have him ascend the throne pre-November 2020, His Majesty would have at least made some kind of effort via Downing Street and Whitehall to see whether a Royal presence at the inauguration would have been viable or practical.

I watched the entire thing from start to finish (though I do hope for a DVD version to come out for all who may have missed it). Of course, I didn’t see the concert, but I can imagine it was a blast.

Here’s hoping HM Charles the Third (God bless him!) has a reasonably long reign, whereby he can repair some of the internal damage that has befallen the House of Windsor, and prove to the doubters that he is more than up to the task.

David Martineau

Winnipeg

Stunned over unused equipment

Re: Critical diagnostic equipment sits idle (Think Tank, May 5)

It is shocking to find out that our new PET/CT at the Health Science Centre has sat idle since it was installed four months ago.

What is going on? Did anyone know that it was to be installed and ready to be used for diagnostic purposes for some of the sickest Manitobans suffering from the serious consequences of cancer?

I was stunned to read of such neglect and pernicious incompetence at so many levels, everyone blaming each other, instead of doing their due diligence.

A PET/CT is not a decoration. Its only use is as a diagnostic tool to provide better treatment of cancer and other serious medical conditions. Why was staff recruitment not a priority when it was decided that such a life sustaining and valuable piece of equipment was to be purchased? Was there no one in charge to ensure that an adequate plan was in place?

I simply cannot grasp how this can happen.

It is outrageous and shameful to hear this when many Manitobans are waiting, or have waited for many months, for diagnostic imaging. Shared Health needs to hang their head in shame as it looks like they just don’t care. So much for “putting patients first.”

Carole Stimpson-Brown

Winnipeg