Letters, Oct. 7

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 07/10/2023 (753 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

True selves

Re: A peek behind the mask (Editorial, Oct. 5)

In truth, I would suggest that the “mask” was worn by the PC leader, Heather Stefanson, who some are now saying was a “nicer person” than portrayed in their bad political attack ads.

I thought that Wab Kinew and Dougald Lamont came across more honestly. Wab Kinew will be the first First Nations premier in Canada and the Liberal leader lost his seat. We know that being a good leader does not result in political success. That is why Mr. Lamont looked so dejected on election night. He deserved better. Manitoba politics is very polarized between far right and far left. That is not good for “good governance.”

The Liberals got caught in the middle. They had some good candidates who would have made good MLAs. It would have been good to have a Green MLA as well to remind the NDP about climate change, not their strong suit. Mr. Kinew waged a fair campaign. We can’t blame him for knocking out the third party.

I am sorry that the Liberals did not achieve official party status which could have kept the new government accountable without the racist attacks by the Conservatives. The Conservatives should have made the third place finish.

Ruth Swan

Winnipeg

I thank the Free Press for this editorial. I agree with its main points. I was impressed and reassured that Mr. Kinew was humble in his victory, and that Mr. Lamont and Ms Stefanson were gracious in the immediacy of defeat.

On the next page, Mr. Adler appeared willing to feed the division of the recent election. Phrases such as “… to crush your will to survive in a forest of fetid right-wing goonery” and ” …. paid too high a price for not being born on Heather Stefanson’s side of town” were neither humble nor gracious.

They made no point. They were only divisive.

Lynn Silver

Winnipeg

 

Campaign not only problem

Much has been discussed about the Manitoba Tories’ ill-conceived election campaign being the primary reason for their downfall on Tuesday.

In my opinion, the defeat was moreso the culmination of a very unpopular and badly mismanaged government led by the worst premier of my lifetime. The PC’s hopes for re-election were further harmed by serious ministerial incompetence in our health department.

The mistakes that were made are too numerous to list, and any positives were lost in the storm.

A bad election campaign hurt them for sure, but poor governance over a period of years really did them in.

Cliff Greenhalgh

Winnipeg

 

A little too late

Re: Manitoba Tory cabinet minister denounces right-wing pivot in election campaign (Oct. 4)

I am glad to hear that Rochelle Squires was put off by her party’s attack ads, that Candice Bergen felt that their party’s communications lacked ‘sensitivity and compassion,’ and that the real Heather Stefanson is more kind and caring than the premier Stefanson we saw on campaign.

Probably it would have been even better if they hadn’t kept those things secret until it was too late to matter, but at least now they won’t have to spend another four years just pretending not to care.

Duncan Thornton

Winnipeg

 

Dust to dust

Re: The one pulling the strings (Letters, Oct. 6)

Although much attention has been paid to Candice Bergen, the co-author of the repugnant PC election campaign, perhaps more light should be placed on her vocally unrepentant co-chair, Marni Larkin, hired specifically by Heather Stefanson last January.

I note with some humour that Ms. Larkin operates under the business name Boom Done Next. Perhaps she should now rebrand her enterprise as Boom Dust Gone.

Brian Lanoway

Winnipeg

 

Happy to adapt

Re: Assiniboine Avenue closure to be considered (Oct. 4)

I’m thrilled the city is considering closing vehicle access to that small stretch of Assiniboine Avenue. I used to live two blocks away and I still cross Main at Assiniboine three times a week with a baby stroller. Motorists don’t know how to behave at that intersection, there are too many near-misses (and near-hits), and it’s a crucial link in our active transport network with no nearby alternatives. So, let’s iterate and try something else to keep people safe. We’re a city that is great at adapting.

Michael Abon

Winnipeg

 

Hope for positive changes

I write this letter as a concerned Manitoban who, like many others, has been deeply troubled by the state of our healthcare system. The recent election that saw the NDP party come into power with a clear majority reflects the strong desire for change among our citizens.

It is my hope that the new government will prioritize the pressing issues that have long plagued our healthcare system. One of the most glaring issues we face is the dire state of hospitals and emergency services. Manitobans have been forced to endure unacceptable long wait times in hospital emergency rooms, often leaving patients in distress and discomfort.

The shortage of doctors and healthcare workers has only exacerbated this problem, while the closure of emergency wards in local hospitals has created a crisis situation in some areas. During their campaign, the NDP made numerous promises to address these pressing healthcare concerns, and it is our collective hope that they will fulfill these commitments.

Our health should be a top priority, and it is crucial that our new government takes swift and effective action to improve the healthcare system. I urge the NDP government to focus on the following key areas:

1. Increasing the number of health-care professionals, including doctors,nurses and supporting staff to alleviate the critical shortage.

2. Reopening and investing in emergency wards in local hospitals to ensure accessible and timely healthcare services.

3. Implementing measures to reduce wait times in emergency rooms and improve the overall patient experience.

4. Enhancing transparency and accountability within the healthcare system to ensure that resources are utilized efficiently.

Our health-care system is a cornerstone of our society, and the wellbeing of Manitobans should be the utmost concern for our government. As we move forward under the leadership of the NDP, I implore them to fulfil their promises and bring about positive change that Manitobans so desperately need in health care.

Yog Rahi Gupta

Winnipeg

 

Helpful insight

Re: What’s in a name? More than meets the eye (Oct. 5)

Kudos to Niigaan Sinclair for his very interesting article. The article provides some good insights and a very hopeful backdrop for premier-designate Kinew’s first steps towards governance.

Wab Kinew and the incoming NDP party have much to do to fulfil the mandate that they campaigned on. In addition to their own hard work, they will need collaboration from other levels of government, and in particular from senior province of Manitoba government employees. Some of these senior staff may have landed their job through a PC affiliation but they must be apolitical in the conduct of their duties.

All Manitobans should expect that these staff will actively support and implement new policies and provide their best advice and performance. If they are not so inclined, they should be prepared to move on.

Tom Pearson

Winnipeg