Letters, Jan. 3

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 03/01/2024 (1004 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Rail plan problems

The question of relocation of rail lines in Winnipeg has again reared its head. This time, I see our new premier taking a rational approach in considering a three-stage process. Stage 1, dealing with underused lines, is likely not to lead to much opposition.

It is also unlikely that moving the CPKC yards would result in much opposition should they be relocated to the area of CentrePort. However relocating the lines themselves is another matter. Does anyone expect those who purchased substantial homes in the areas surrounding Winnipeg to meekly accept a major rail line being located next to their now quiet semirural properties?

Another cautionary note is that any such a project must ensure that railway jobs in the current yards and shops be protected. Otherwise the cost to Winnipeg would far exceed the billions (and likely years) involved in moving the lines.

Finally, will the residents of the North End be expected to do without the vital connection to the rest of Winnipeg that the Arlington Bridge provided?

Brian Huzel

Winnipeg

Wise words

Re: Few ‘better angels’ to be seen lately (Think Tank, Dec. 29)

Yes, Peter Denton, you nailed it!

I found so much wisdom in your words.

Thank you for sharing the story of 17th century Scottish intellectual and publisher, George Mackenzie. His condemnation of fanaticism (different from religious belief) is so pertinent in today’s political arena. His warning, that nothing good comes from “fiery zeal” — reacting in anger — instead of maintaining a more balanced and even-tempered attitude to whatever happens, in all of life’s circumstances, needs to be heeded. His urging, to find a pathway between extremes and to make personal decisions that reflect the wisdom, reason and compassion found at the heart of all religious traditions, also needs to be heeded.

You made some very important points:

1. All religions involved (Judaism, Islam, Christianity) should be condemning the violence in Gaza and elsewhere. Period.

2. The problem is not religion, but fanaticism. Fanatics attacking the sins of others, instead of avoiding sin themselves, under the guise of defending their “religion.” Meanwhile, they are about gaining, wielding and keeping power.

3. Justice may show a different face to different sides, but peace is always found in the middle.

Pay attention to these words and our world will be a better place.

Marilyn Bird

Winnipeg

Mitigation mess

Re: Tory voices decry last-minute attempt to push through silica mining plan (Dec. 29)

In Carol Sanders’s piece on the mining of silica in Manitoba, the word mitigate came up once in reference to the Clean Environment Commission, and once quoting Premier Wab Kinew. Already there is mitigation language gurgling into the discussion of just how important a massive and pristine water aquifer is or isn’t.

In the meantime we are mitigating zebra muscles into more lakes and mitigating purple loosestrife into a solid pink line all the way from the City of Winnipeg to the marshes of Lake Winnipeg. The list goes on as our record of mitigating environmental harms is not great.

We would best shoot for doing no harm by taking no chances in this instance.

The greatest net value of these silica deposits to this generation of Manitobans, and to all Manitobans in the future, is accessed when it is in the ground carrying and filtering water.

Who cares what Sio Silica wants: they don’t have the money to pay what this sand and water are worth together and in place, untouched. That value will be gone if we sell them just the sand. If we allow the degradation of this giant aquifer, in the end Sio will skip town or dissolve, because that is how business tends to work. The lands named after the spirit of Manitou will be forever diminished by a hasty, politically charged gamble.

Herb Neufeld

Winnipeg

Vision of electric Transit

Re: On the road again (and again) (Dec. 28)

I read your series on Winnipeg Transit with interest and particularly noted the figure of 18,000,000 litres of diesel fuel consumed by Transit’s all-diesel fleet of buses. A back-of-the -envelope calculation suggests they emit 202,000 tons of CO2 into the atmosphere every year.

A quick search reveals that Toronto has a bus fleet which is 30 per cent electric and hybrid, and Vancouver’s fleet is 75 per cent electric, hybrid and natural gas. Ottawa has approved purchase of 350 electric buses and Calgary has approved 259.

By contrast so far Winnipeg Transit has ordered only 16 electric buses and continues to buy significant numbers of diesel buses. Their stated goal is to run an all-electric fleet by 2050! I submit that our planet cannot wait that long.

With a new premier and a relatively new mayor, I earnestly hope that Winnipeg Transit will be jolted out of its complacency and will set far more ambitious goals for the transition. A goal of complete electrification by 2035 would be a good starting point.

Joe Leven

Winnipeg

Channelling Duff

I wanted to write in and say thank you to the Free Press for such in-depth coverage on Winnipeg Transit. I agree with Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce president Loren Remillard’s assessment that Winnipeg’s future is tied to Winnipeg Transit.

Investing in Winnipeg Transit would make an enormous difference to the social, economic and environmental well-being of our city. What is needed now is for politicians at city hall and the Manitoba legislature to find their political courage to take steps to make Winnipeg Transit more reliable and affordable, despite the majority being against investing in transit.

One hopes the ghost of Duff Roblin finds Premier Wab Kinew in the halls of the legislature to explain the importance of funding projects that are a necessity, even if unpopular.

Michael Edwards

Winnipeg

Time to draw some lines

This fall, the southbound lanes of Highway 75 between St. Agathe and Morris were reopened following months of the most recent round of reconstruction. The newly built road didn’t quite make it the full distance. But, that’s life in a have-not province.

After a few trips on the rebuilt lanes between St. Agathe (and part of the way to Morris), this driver offers some feedback.

The new, smooth surface is noticeable and appreciated. Yet, where are the painted lines? The shoulder lines? Nearly nonexistent. The centre dotted lines? Stretches with no markings but then, fleetingly, a stretch of lines painted to divide the lanes, though even these are poorly painted. Looking like someone used a white pencil crayon, the skimpy lines are about half the width of a regular painted line. Were the temps too cold to paint properly? If that’s true, how was it possible to put down those skimpy lines?

Then, a few kilometres north of Morris one is finally greeted by the old highway and returned to a noisy, bumpy ride: the byproduct of a multitude of surface breaks, leaving drivers alert to the possibility of a chunk of concrete jutting upright, often from the centre line. But hey, at least the old road surface has retained its painted lines. Is this the best we can do? Beware fellow travellers — it seems the rule on some Manitoba highways is: safety second.

Mick Friesen

Gretna