Letters, July 24

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 24/07/2023 (1147 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The greater shame

It is a shame that individual families are mourning loved ones whose final resting place is a dump. Premier Heather Stefanson’s refusal to authorize a dump search is a disgrace, and it is sad to see recent letters to the editor that offer misleading rationalizations for her stand (too expensive and not safe enough, or there are many other cases of people ending up without a conventional burial, e.g. bodies not recovered from mountain avalanches).

What seems to be ignored is that an even greater shame looms and takes precedence over excuses. This greater shame is the losing of a huge and wonderful opportunity to confront that awful historical injustice that stains our city, our province, our Canada from sea to shining sea — that treatment of indigenous people for several hundred years, that rough dismissal of their claim to human dignity.

A vigorous attempt to searching the dump is a symbol, a much-needed attack on that stain. At least we should make the call for a concerted community and governmental effort in a spirit of all those values we like to call Canadian — fair play, volunteerism, co-operation, a can-do attitude, a commitment to human rights. I don’t think I’m being naive. Here in Manitoba we need to assert our Canadian identity to the rest of Canada and the world in a way that inspires others. Saying we can’t afford a search or it’s too risky, is no way to feel proud of ourselves or where we live.

We can seize the opportunity. I ask the premier to please reverse her decision on the dump search, and I would respectfully suggest to her that an act of honourable leadership, much to her credit now and historically, would be to don a safety uniform and be the first in line of volunteers at the dump. Again, this is just a symbol, but at times we need a symbol way more valuable than $184 million.

Angus Braid

Winnipeg Beach

Piece of history

In the extensive coverage of the burning down of the Vulcan Iron Works, I noted no mention that Tom Douglas, politician Tommy Douglas’ father, came to Canada and worked at the Vulcan Iron Works. Tommy was a youth at this time but had osteomyelitis in one leg. Several doctors said the leg would have to be amputated; however one doctor agreed to do other operations, free of charge, if Tommy would let him share his skills with student doctors.

Tommy of course agreed, and the operations were successful in saving his leg. Tommy concluded that nobody without out funds should be denied health care.

Even at that time, Tommy’s father knew that sharing with immigrants and others was a path we ought to follow. Before his leg was saved Tommy walked on crutches. This worked when the streets were without snow and ice, but in winter he could not get to his classes at Norquay School.

Fortunately two of his friends agree to take him to and from school free of charge on their sleigh. One was Polish and the other Ukrainian. This is the way society ought to be, said his father.

After establishing medicare as premier of Saskatchewan, Tommy became an MP and convinced others that health care ought to be free, so perhaps because of the Vulcan Iron Works we now have medicare.

Sincerely,

Barry Hammond

Winnipeg

NATO not peaceful

Re: On NATO issue, Putin’s made his bed (Editorial, July 15)

Contrary to the editorial’s assertion, NATO has never served the purpose of enhancing security or preserving peace. NATO was formed in 1949 as part of the Cold War that ended the prospects for an era of peace and co-operation following the Second World War. It was NATO’s first Secretary General, Lord Ismay, who stated that NATO’s purpose was to “keep the Soviet Union out, the Americans in, and the Germans down.”

Supported by the U.S., he opposed the request of the Soviet Union to join the alliance. That refusal led to the formation of the Warsaw Pact. Thus, we have NATO to thank for the Cold War, the nuclear arms race and the international tensions of the present which are responsible for the war in Ukraine.

In 1980, in a crisis reminiscent of the present Russian — Ukraine war, Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau broke ranks with NATO sabre rattling over the growing tensions between the Soviet Union, Poland and the Solidarity movement. He warned: “Any intervention by one side is liable to lead to an intervention by the other side. Therefore, I think we should steer miles away from any hint of any intervention.”

Such wisdom is not to be found today. Instead we have the folly of escalation, a pyrrhic euphoria about NATO coupled with mindless cold war rhetoric.

Glenn Michalchuk

Winnipeg

Don’t want the cheque

I just recently received a “climate incentive” cheque from the federal government. Please stop sending these as it is just a waste of money.

I know you feel guilty about driving up our cost of living through your carbon tax (which has mercilessly gone up again), but here’s an idea: Why not stop charging the carbon tax, then you wouldn’t have to create another entire bureaucracy to issue a refund to us. But then, that is the Liberals’ idea of job creation, hire more federal workers, and bribe, er, subsidize large profitable companies to locate here. But then, companies don’t invest in Canada anymore without government subsidies, now known as “the place you can’t build things.”

The carbon tax has proven to be entirely ineffective as demonstrated by our increasing greenhouse gas emissions (all 1.5 per cent of worldwide emissions). For many people like myself, it provides no disincentive to purchasing gas, since I have to in order to do my job. It just costs me more all the time. For people in the construction or service industry, like myself, my truck is my office. Driving long hours every day, long distances, in extreme heat and cold, towing or with cargo, in remote areas and rough conditions makes EVs a non-starter. They simply cannot handle those conditions and demands.

That and the fact they are only affordable to the $100,000 a year crowd, even with subsidies. You would think if they were so popular that they wouldn’t have to be subsidized (like the companies that make them). EVs may be functional in B.C. or California, but not here. The Liberals’ dogmatism on the climate change file is hurting regular Canadians everyday by overtaxing us and driving up inflation. After all, every store out there gets their goods by truck, so it’s not just at the gas pumps, but at the grocery and retail stores that the carbon tax drives up prices as well — the list is long.

I’ll make you a deal Mr. Trudeau. You stop flying your Lear jet whenever you have a cup of coffee in a different town, and I’ll consider reducing my fuel consumption.

Rob MacDonald

Winnipeg

Where the law fails

Exhibitions and fairs are second on a long, tiresome list of so-called “accepted activities” that are exempt from Manitoba’s Animal Care Act.

That is why it is perfectly legal to yank frightened calves running at full speed off of their feet by throwing a noose around their neck, but you would be charged with animal cruelty if you did the same thing to puppies.

Debbie Wall

Winnipeg