Letters, Oct. 20

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 20/10/2023 (945 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Proposal for premier

Re: ‘Today is a new day in our province’ (Oct. 19)

Good words from Premier Wab Kinew. Congratulations to you and your team.

As you spoke of, regarding who you are and where you come from not impeding your success, I believe that it is time to put all the descriptors in the rear-view mirror. Not forget them, just not make them the focus. I am talking about skin colour, gender, sexual preference, religion and all the others.

We are all human beings, we need to be treated equally and when reporting on any activity by us, no descriptor is ever needed.

That said, your challenge as I see it is to make Manitoba an even better place and why not make it the best place in North America to live.

I suggest a provincial income tax rate equal to or lower than the rest off the provinces and a minimum tax-free level of $50,000. Giving every Manitoba this raise in disposable income will see them spend it.

A brave move that would be the envy of the country would be to, along with the City of Winnipeg, make public transit free for all riders at all times. Make it a service like snow clearing or garbage collection.

Imagine full buses, drivers not responsible for collecting fares and the issues that go with that. Fewer cars on the street affecting not only traffic, road repair and that darn carbon footprint, but also drive times and parking matters.

A bold move that could make Manitoba the place to live.

It is not far fetched to further consider this on a provincial basis in the future. Imagine!

John Zaplitny

Winnipeg

Major moment

I am sure that our new government will have its ups and downs in the years to come.

However, just watching the swearing in ceremonies, I have been struck that Manitoba is in the process of enacting an event of global import, as our new Indigenous premier and ministers reflecting all peoples of the world, are sworn in to the highest offices in our province and among the highest in our land.

This kind of change, especially given the very difficult and fraught times in which we live, is cause for thanks and celebration.

Matthew Decter

Winnipeg

Difference between government, people

Re: Stop pro-Hamas rallies (Think Tank, Oct. 18)

Yes, there have been a number of pro-Palestinian rallies, decrying Israeli oppression and calling for an independent Palestinian state. That is something quite different from “pro-Hamas” demonstrations.

But why, oh why must any and all criticism of Israel, or support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, be conflated with hatred of Jews? If I criticize the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its atrocious human rights record, does that mean I hate Muslims? If I criticize Myanmar’s military dictatorship, does that mean I hate Buddhists? If I criticize the Modi government of India, does that mean I hate Hindus? If I criticize Donald Trump, does that mean I hate Christians (although calling Trump a Christian is a stretch)?

Most progressives are able to make a clear distinction between the Jewish faith community, which we love and support, and the State of Israel, whose policies we may have issues with. We also denounce terrorism no matter who does it, no matter what form it takes.

We acknowledge the deep connection that Jews have to the Holy Land, a connection shared by all Abrahamic faiths. We also acknowledge the brutal history of Judeophobia, which has long been an ugly reality in Christian Europe, though not so much in Muslim-majority lands. The Holocaust happened in Europe, not in the Middle East.

Before the British took over Palestine from the Ottomans in 1919, Muslim, Christian and Jewish Palestinians lived peacefully side by side, sharing in each other’s religious festivals, as People of the Book should.

David Bergen

Winnipeg

Compost plans

Compost collection is a most worthy endeavour on the part of everyone as long as it’s done right. I wonder if the EPC has taken an in-depth look at Calgary’s compost program. It’s simple. Everything, and I mean everything, can go into the green bins — food scraps, raw or cooked, bones, dairy products, cooking oils, paper products including Kleenex, yard waste and pet waste.

Their collection program is simple. Recycling is picked up weekly. Green bins are picked up weekly during the spring/summer/fall months. Then when winter comes around, green bin collection is once every two weeks.

Because so much is now diverted to composting garbage is only picked up every second week year round. A simple system that works!

Rosemarie Wood

Winnipeg

Tickets too much

The dwindling fan attendance at Jet games is a hot topic of conversation. Since fans are complaining for a host of reasons, it is likely that there are excuses.

A major legitimate grievance however, is the price of the ticket during these difficult economic times. How can one rationally respond? The fact is that we had an NHL team, cried when we lost it, regained it with joy and now could lose it again. How much is it worth having a Jets team here?

Personally, I feel that a loss would be dreadful. The Jets have made Winnipeg known to the world and not having a team would create a doldrum city. What options are there?

Firstly, those with limited incomes but wanting the Jets to stay, need to decide how many games they can afford and buy accordingly, not simply quit on them. The reality is that ticket prices are high and if they were lower, more people would undoubtedly attend. Bomber support is more easily fulfilled as there are fewer games and lower salaries leading to cheaper tickets but the Bombers are also winning and during lean years, attendance suffered.

The NHL plays in big cities where there are many millionaires. Winnipeg is a small city and if you want a team, you must give some portion of your money to keep it. The NHL does not care about ordinary people. The large schedule of games in order to pay excessive salaries is ridiculous, but this will never change. So the question becomes: do you as a small city dweller want a team enough to suffer a bit by parting with some of your hard-earned money?

We can do it if the will is there but you need to want to give a little extra as you might do, to support any cause considered worthy.

Ivan Bilash

Winnipeg

Poor choice of words

Re: Talking shop on new cabinet (Oct. 19)

According to the Free Press, upon being asked of his organization’s response to our new NDP government, Chuck Davidson, CEO of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce is quoted as saying, “We are going to give them the benefit of the doubt.”

Is this truly the best Mr. Davidson can come up with? Why not, “We are looking forward to working with the new government to address our members’ needs”?

Giving the benefit of the doubt is akin to saying we do not really believe they will do a good job or keep to their promises.

I would suggest Mr. Davidson take a refresher course in how to best represent his members and develop a good working relationship with our new premier and the NDP government.

Irwin Corobow

Winnipeg