Letters, June 27

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 27/06/2023 (1172 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Look after Mother Earth

Re: Potential impact of sand mine not fully considered, report says (June 23)

Water is life for humanity. We need clean water to live and the idea being floated by Sio Silica to mine a water aquifer is ludicrous.

Perhaps we need a parallel project such as establishing a mine shaft at the Shoal Lake water input that feeds Winnipeg their water for enough people to press this Conservative government to cancel any and all Sandilands drilling projects.

Mother Earth needs all of our protection.

Reg Evans

Winnipeg

Glad to see concourse cleanup

Re: City looks at closing troubled Portage and Main stairway (June 22)

I am pleased to hear that the city is thinking of demolishing the stairwell used by the public to enter the concourse, provided they can strike an appropriate deal to use the Richardson building.

The stairwell does not appear to be a safe or pleasant place to walk. It is also unfair that city employees should have to clean up urine and excrement on a daily basis. However, regardless of whether the deal happens, the occupiers of the bunker need a decent place to “poop” and “pee.”

The city needs to provide that as well as more affordable and safe housing for those who need it.

Marlene Beaty

Winnipeg

Get out the vote

As another election approaches, the provincial election on Oct. 3, it is important to recognize the value of democracy and our ability to choose our leaders. This is an opportunity for us to re-evaluate and refresh our government representatives at all levels — municipal, provincial, federal. Every vote counts and every vote gets counted.

During the election campaign, candidates have the opportunity to present their platforms, ideas and thoughts on different issues. As voters, we must evaluate these platforms and choose the candidate whose values and ideas align with our own.

The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE), a group focused on the intersection of health and the environment, would suggest that it is crucial that we consider environmental concerns as a significant component of a candidate’s platform. We want to make sure our current and future leaders recognize what is going on in our world regarding climate change, exposure to toxins, the importance of nature and how it needs to be protected.

In recent years there have been a number of “governmental” battles regarding environmental health issues, including the safety of neonics (think bees) and glyphosate pesticides, improvements to cycling and pedestrian infrastructure, supporting a fossil-fuel advertising ban and, more locally, working to protect a Manitoba pesticide ban.

CAPE has been at the forefront of these battles and can provide a credible evidence-based perspective delivered by the trusted voices of doctors and other health professionals. One could, therefore use CAPE’s “perspective” to help choose who to vote for!

It is important that we ask questions of our candidates about their environmental concerns, and whether they are willing to stand up for these issues and help affect change through legislation. Today’s environmental health realities must be reflected in legislation to be protective and preventable. We all deserve a healthy environment and an environment that does not negatively affect our health.

As voters, we have the power to choose the candidate who will represent us and our values. By considering environmental concerns as a key component of a candidate’s platform, we can ensure that our leaders are committed to protecting the environment and our health.

So, let’s get out there and vote in the upcoming election!

Scott Blyth

Brandon

Needed improvements

Re: A roundabout way to a safer highway (Think Tank, June 24)

I could not agree more with David Hoult’s op-ed piece.

Benefits also would include less land mass acquisition and a lesser construction cost as opposed to a “fly over.”

A relatively new roundabout on No. 59 at Highway 22 has made traffic flow through this area easier, and safer. Both locals, transports, and a huge amount of tourist traffic, have benefited from this development. The same roundabout idea would be welcome on No. 59 at both 52 and 311 (which recently had traffic lights installed, due to traffic fatalities).

I am sure others may have their own intersections they would like to see get this type of improvement. Even our Perimeter Highway will be benefiting from the Nos. 2 at 3 intersection roundabout. One needs to wonder what the hesitation on developing more of these is?

And No. 59 at 22, about six miles south of Detroit Lakes, Minn.

Robert K Haegeman

St.-Pierre-Jolys

Great look at the city

Re: 24 Hours: Downtown

What a joy to read the excellent journalistic presentation on Winnipeg‘s downtown.

Each story captured a piece of Winnipeg and the photos made the stories richer. I love sitting down in the morning and reading my Free Press and every once in a while an exceptional piece grabs my attention.

This is one of the exceptional pieces. Thank you Free Press.

Sel Burrows

Winnipeg

Need spots to sit

I was waiting for a family member who had a medical appointment at the Tuxedo shopping mall. It was too hot to wait in the car.

I wanted to sit in the shade and read my newspaper somewhere. Why is it that strip malls have no benches? It’s go in, spend your money, and get out.

Wouldn’t it be nice if public spaces like this were more welcoming?

Wesley Harnden

Winnipeg

Deep flaws in system

We are a puzzling species.

We seem to agree that we can afford whatever it takes to search for a lost submersible.

We seem to agree that we can’t afford an equitable society.

We are able to care deeply for the loss of a few very rich people. And to identify with their pain and despair.

We seem to care not at all for people who are frail, who do not have enough to eat, for children who do not have an equal chance, for people who need health care and housing, or for boatloads of refugees. And we blame these groups for the situations in which they find themselves.

We have come to believe that our economy must continue to have a large percentage of our people with very little — that we need the poor so that the rich can be excessively rich and those of us in the middle will continue to buy in the lie that the economy, as it exists, is more important than equality of opportunity.

Our system has deep flaws.

Not a wonder that more and more of us are enraged.

It is obscene that our rage is projected onto those who are without blame — people who somehow are not like us.

Bill Martin

Gimli