Letters, Dec. 23

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 23/12/2023 (750 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

University’s next steps

Re: Ex-U of M law dean’s conduct ‘fraud,’ panel rules (Dec. 19)

I was pleased the Law Society disciplinary panel was unequivocal in its findings regarding the conduct of Jonathon Black-Branch, noting it constituted “fraud” and the evidence met the criminal standard of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

The question is “Now what?”

One would expect any organization that has lost hundreds of thousands of dollars — money that comes from taxpayers, donors and students — would attempt to recover as much of that money as possible.

Given the panel’s view that the criminal standard of proof has been met, it would also be appropriate for the university to refer the matter to the police to determine whether criminal charges should be laid.

The university is a public organization and the public is entitled to some accountability. Why were there no financial controls in place for a dean? Why was the whistle blower policy ineffective in exposing the problem?

The public is entitled to transparency regarding the answers to these questions, and others. They are fundamental to the confidence the public, and for that matter the university’s employees and unions, have in the administration.

If the university cannot take further action and disclose information on these issues because of a termination/non-disclosure agreement with Mr. Black-Branch, then there is really only one question: Given the evidence and the panel’s conclusions, why would the university have tied its hands in any way in dealing with him?

Robert Pruden

Winnipeg

Care home beds needed

Re: Back at Square 1: NDP review of PC care home plans met with frustration (Dec. 19)

It is fiscally imprudent to pause nursing home construction. We know we can improve waits in the ERs by having inpatient beds available. We know we can free up inpatient beds by having PCH beds available. Better to fund now and reduce the burden on health-care staff in ERs.

The ER wait problem is mostly due to too few medical beds and nursing home beds. Let us fix the real problems and quit spending so much on overtime for rapidly burning out staff

I am a senior with a 92-year-old mother and mother-in-law now in nursing homes. They are content and cared for in their care homes. I hope they never have to be on a stretcher in the ER waiting for a bed again.

Diane Pearce

Winnipeg

Learn where your food comes from

Re: Codes of animal care (Letters, Dec. 21); New year a good time to go plant-based (Think Tank, Dec. 15)

As a vegan for the past 30-plus years, I had to shake my head over the rebuttal letter co-signed by six ag industry reps disputing the op-ed that encouraged readers go plant-based. According to the industry reps’ rebuttal, I should’ve withered away years ago from not eating meat, dairy or eggs. I’m happy to report, quite the opposite!

Thank goodness in 1991 I stopped listening to food industry disinformation, opened my eyes and learned about the truly horrific conditions “food animals” are produced in, particularly through large-scale intensive livestock operations (not “barns” and “farms”).

The assertion that “It’s important that the public has access to unbiased, accurate, science-based information regarding their nutritional choices” is absolutely true but so ironic coming from vested interests who continue to push nutrition mis-truths (e.g. sources of vitamin B12).

I encourage all of you to take the time to learn where your food comes from and transition away from eating animal-based foods. Like myself, you too will make one of the most significant, life-affirming choices you’ll ever make.

Dennis Bayomi, MSc (Community Health)

Winnipeg

Standards need to change

Re: Codes of animal care (Letters, Dec. 21)

Agricultural use is the first on a long list of so-called “accepted activities” that are exempt from Manitoba’s Animal Care Act providing “generally accepted practices” are followed. It has to be, because this industry could not exist if it were held to the same minimal standards of care legally required of those having companion animals.

Consumers already have access to unbiased, science-based nutritional information in the form of Canada’s Food Guide, a document produced by 37 researchers after three years of study and no industry influence, that advises the diet for optimum human and environmental health is one that is predominately whole, plant-based foods. The meat and dairy categories no longer exist and consumers are encouraged to choose plant-based proteins more often. So why does the government continue to subsidize animal agriculture with billions of taxpayer dollars?

There are over five times as many animals raised and killed for food annually than there are humans in Canada. So where are they, if they are supposedly living their best lives? Certainly not frolicking in the fields as industry would like you to believe. The vast majority are raised in factory farms in conditions that are giving rise to antibiotic resistance and could lead to the next pandemic.

Absolutely, consumers should have access to information about where their food comes from, but recently passed ag-gag laws are designed to keep the truth about animal agriculture behind closed doors.

Debbie Wall

Winnipeg

The hog industry, more than other agricultural industries, has faced serious challenges to its viability across Canada and the United States because of allegations that its operations are bad for the environment and inhumane to pigs.

It is no secret the hog factories in Manitoba and throughout Canada have made news stories and headlines for many years now. People have been complaining, not only about the toxic odour but also about personal health-related problems. They have also expressed concerns about the pollution of the environment, the water and air quality.

I also know “there is a big difference” between the family farm and the industrialized method of producing hogs. That big difference must be seriously addressed by our local and provincial governments.

At present, rural Manitobans are basically at the mercy of the hog industry, the provincial government, and the discretion of municipalities. Rural leaders and especially The Association of Manitoba Municipalities have a very important role to play. They have a responsibility to recognize and be aware that there is a huge difference in the normal family farm operation and that of the Intensive Livestock Operations. (ILO’s). Changes are required and must be established.

The current dinosaur Manitoba Farm Practices Protection Act and guidelines needs to go. It actively precludes a complainant from going to court. What is really needed is legislation precluding emissions (for the human senses and environmental pollution)

For instance; appropriate regulations and “set-back” standards must be established and put in place to “protect the people”, the rural residents, whose quality of living is being compromised. The 6-0 ruling by the Supreme Court of Canada recognized that “Rural People do Matter.”

By no means, is this modern hog production!

Nature did not intend for hogs to live by the thousands, crammed together inside buildings, raised on pharmaceutical products, with no access to the outdoors for grass, sunlight or the clean healthy scent of fresh air. The industrial production of these animals is a grim saga of asphyxiation, fire traps, health risks and animal misery.

John Fefchak

Virden