Letters, July 21

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 21/07/2023 (1161 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Time to stop hiking rates

Re: Canada’s inflation rate tumbles to 2.8% (July 18)

While a moderating inflation rate is good news for Canadians, I am concerned that food prices continue to rise seemingly unchecked.

The Bank of Canada has been raising interest rates in an effort to curb consumer demand which, in theory, should lower prices. However the theory falls apart when it comes to food costs. You can’t reduce consumer demand for groceries — we all have to eat — and increasing rates further will have no effect on this stubborn issue.

With inflation in other areas seemingly under control, the Bank of Canada needs to stop increasing rates and instead, the federal government should dig deeper into what is driving food costs higher (hint: it’s not the grocery chains) and take action as needed.

Kevin Krystik

Oakbank

 

Timely reminder

Among five available tiers of energy efficiency for new buildings, Manitoba has decided to adopt Tier 1, the lowest possible standard. The decision would be laughable if it were not so tragic at so many levels.

As a past employee of a government operations division, I know employees in all government branches are (or were) aware of climate change and the need to implement mitigation of the effects of climate change at the planning and construction stage.

The occupants of a building built to lower standards will encounter increased costs of heating and cooling as climate changes exaggerate impacts on building performance. Simply put, less money is left at the PC proverbial kitchen table every year if adequate money is not spent on construction.

Someone should remind these “powers that be” that the Manitoba government introduced a Green Building Policy in April 2007.

Len Lewkowich

Winnipeg

 

Rodeos nightmare for animals

Re: Injured horse killed in front of Selkirk rodeo spectators (July 19)

I was absolutely disgusted to learn about yet another horse injured and “euthanized” at a rodeo.

If people want to show their love and concern for horses, then don’t put them into a rodeo! Rodeos are not about the animals, they are not even about skill, they are about the “manliness” of a few clinging to a past best left behind and I say if you want to test testosterone, then take a blood sample. Leave the animals out of it.

Rodeos are a nightmare for animals and do nothing more than demonstrate the backwardness, selfishness and cruelty of people.

Monica Ziegler

Winnipeg

 

Time to open our eyes

Re: Hard messages for young minds (Think Tanks, July 11)

Thank you, Peter Denton, for your opinion piece. I was struck by the appropriateness of your comment that “Students are living in a nightmare” and many are unaware of what is happening. We are all living that nightmare. I share your view and try to do my part to spread the message whenever I can, although it is not to students.

It is difficult for me to understand the indifference, defensiveness and outright aggression with which people react when talking about the reality of climate change. Many choose to ignore it completely, others joke about it, some deny it, and most agree that it’s a concern and then proceed blithely on their way without any recognition that they could and should do something about it.

Please continue to do your part, you have my full support in the message you are sharing with young people. I will continue to share the message with anyone who will listen. I hope the younger generation opens their eyes to your message… I’m afraid my generation is going at this with eyes wide shut.

Jacob Giesbrecht

Winnipeg

 

Not all bodies are found

It is interesting to note that not all human bodies are found or recovered.

For instance the body of 23-year-old Michel Trudeau, son of former prime minister Pierre Trudeau, was never recovered. He died in an avalanche in British Columbia on November 15, 1998. A memorial was erected at the site. It has been said that not recovering bodies wouldn’t happen to the privileged. Well you can’t be a more privileged person than a Trudeau.

Thousands of soldiers’ and sailors’ bodies have also never been recovered. My own grandfather was killed in the First World War and his body, along with many thousands of others, was never recovered and is simply a name carved into a stone wall plaque memorial in France.

Many more civilian deaths have resulted with no bodies recovered, as happened in Malaysia Airlines Flight 370. There, 270 passengers and 12 crew were never found or recovered.

This list could go on and on.

Somehow we have all survived these tragedies without having bodies in order to celebrate and remember the lives of the loved ones.

Don Bailey

Winnipeg

 

Miscarriage of justice

Re: ‘Courage and resilience’: Judge acquits two men convicted in 1973 killing in Winnipeg (July 19)

It is hard for me to comprehend how Allan Woodhouse and Brian Anderson must be feeling today. Yes they got an apology from the Manitoba justice system and 50 years after being found guilty of murder, they have been declared innocent.

Recently I received an apology from a physician in which he said: “I’m human, I made a mistake, I’m sorry.” I can live with this apology. We are all human. We make mistakes.

But what happened to Woodhouse and Anderson goes way beyond human error. What happened has to due with systemic racism, malicious intent, wilful blindness, ignorance and the deliberate obfuscation of justice.

Undoubtedly there will be entirely justified compensation for Woodhouse and Anderson. But is that enough given what a miscarriage of justice has occurred? Where is the accountability for the various individuals who participated in this travesty?

Mac Horsburgh

Winnipeg

 

Coyote response futile

Re: ‘Scaling down our operations’ (July 14)

According to Tessa Adamski’s article, it seems Manitoba Conservation’s response for controlling the urban coyote is one of futility.

Their solution is obviously to train us instead: “If a coyote attacks, fight back aggressively using any weapon available and strike for the eyes and nose” they stated.

Maybe that advice should be included with a new baby stroller.

Stray dogs are picked up by Winnipeg Animal Services. Deer hunting licences are issued when deer overpopulate. Our coyote population is in a “growing phase,” according to Conservation. Perhaps they should be “scaling up” their program rather than “scaling down.”

Last spring, I frequently saw coyotes in my South Osborne yard and street. A man at Conservation told me I must learn to co-exist. He explained nature’s “food chain,” and I asked what the coyote’s predator was. “Wolves,” he replied.

So, we wait for the wolves, I said, or until a kid gets attacked?

Now the unthinkable happened: two kids attacked, and dog walkers stalked. The coyote presence needed attention long before the nine-year-old boy needed 24 stitches.

Last week, Global News reported that a coyote entered a Winnipeg woman’s house. No one was hurt, including the coyote.

But I guess it’s up to us taxpayers to stare ‘em down and make a lot of noise. Maybe we should make a lot more noise.

Let’s not wait for the wolves.

Sally Solomon

Winnipeg