Letters, Feb. 15

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 15/02/2024 (939 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Echoes of hydro errors past

Re: Hydro boss fired as Crown utility seeks ‘fresh perspective’ (Feb. 14)

Seems that the NDP has demonstrated that they want to be responsible for the operation of Manitoba Hydro by firing CEO Jay Grewal. Isn’t this the same NDP that bungled the construction of the Bi-Pole III powerline by dictating that it had to go on the west side of Lake Winnipeg?

They used some ideological principles to explain away their illogical decision to force Manitoba Hydro to construct a much longer line on the west side. That decision cost Manitobans an extra $1 billion and resulted in an annual power drop of 40 megawatts (enough to power 1,200 homes).

Looks like history is about to repeat itself!

Wally Barton

Winnipeg

Gas tax cut all but over

On Jan. 1, the provincial NDP government removed the 14-cent-a-litre gas tax, much to the delight of many motorists. The downside however was that there would be a loss of $163 million dollars to provincial coffers which many people felt could be better utilized in areas such as health care, education or affordable housing.

The gas tax reduction was intended to be for six months but seems to have lasted for all of one month. It seems the gas companies have other ideas and the 14 cent reduction has all but disappeared.

There is so much rhetoric surrounding “axe the tax” by so many people but wouldn’t it be appropriate to, at some point, show some of that indignation to the fossil fuel industry which arbitrarily continues to raise fuel prices and boost profits for no apparent reason?

Brian Dyck

Winnipeg

A win-win

At the risk of stating the obvious, I offer this in support of the Conservatives policy to “axe the carbon tax” and empowering Canada’s natural gas producers by enabling them to ship product to the world’s heaviest polluters. When done, this common sense approach in Canada will enable the world’s greatest polluters to cure their addiction to coal.

Canada’s contribution to man-made atmospheric CO2 is about 1.5 per cent. Compare this to China’s contribution of 31 per cent. Likely at least half of that 31 per cent is from coal-fired power plants. Imagine Canada’s impact on world CO2 emissions if China and other heavy polluters could access Canada’s natural gas.

Taken as a whole, Canada would end up a world leader in reducing CO2 pollution — worldwide. On top of that the production and shipping of said gas would add significantly to Canada’s wealth and employment — talk about a common sense win-win!

Eldon Beix

Kaslo, B.C.

Blocker information helpful

Re: Puberty blockers can’t be started at 18 when youth have already developed: doctors (Feb. 12)

Thank you to Camille Bains for her in-depth article in Monday’s paper regarding puberty blockers for youth experiencing gender dysphoria. This information is extremely valuable to parents whose children are expressing dysphoria but more importantly, it educates others who have little knowledge regarding what dysphoria actually is, and the resulting ramifications.

Dr. Daniel Metzger, the pediatric endocrinologist at the BC Children’s Hospital who is quoted in the article articulated clearly and concisely the whys and hows about dysphoria and Elizabeth Saewyc, the professor at UBC’s nursing program who authored the 2019 national trans youth survey, showed her stats on the lack of medical care for those in need to live their lives as their true authentic selves.

Bless her for stating that “politicians take up some ideas without actually vetting the accuracy of what they’re saying.” So darn true!

Naomi Finkelstein

Winnipeg

Funding needed elsewhere

I could not help but chuckle at the Arts Council bemoaning the lack of funding from the city in the current budget.

While public art is nice, during these times when some people are having a hard time making ends meet, perhaps a temporary halt to public art is called for in order to pay for the actual necessities of life.

Like swimming pools for kids and such. If the city is cancelling amenities for the working people, why do you think you are deserving of taxpayers’ funds?

So maybe be humble, chill and remember, art has always been more important to the rich than the rest of us, who are trying to just get by.

Besides, do we really want another piece of yellow metal sitting around downtown?

Just saying.

Gary Billson

Winnipeg

Remembering Rockwood

While we have been exhorted and comforted of late by certain writers to place our confidence in our environmental regulatory and enforcement processes, we politely avert our eyes from the litany of irreversible and irremediable consequences that have resulted from poor decisions and lack of diligent oversight in our province.

Water is precious, but business is more so. We pretend not to remember the tragic ruination of the once-beautiful aquifer in Rockwood Municipality, where more than 30 years later, long-term remediation efforts to address industrial contamination have not been successful. We are not concerned about the numerous existing toxic mining sites, where ,even for many of those where remediation has been attempted, contamination still persists.

In the present Vivian silica sand extraction project, intrusive operations are planned to eventually span an enormous tract of private lands, including residential and agricultural, in southeastern Manitoba. The scope of potential impacts is unprecedented; those which will affect the irreplaceable and vital aquifers are permanent and cannot be reversed. Does our remaining quality water, the blood of Mother Earth, not deserve some respect and protection, particularly in the face of climate change and ever-increasing demand?

We like to gamble, but when we lose, we cannot undo our mistakes.

Dr. Eva Pip

Former professor, water quality and toxicology, University of Winnipeg

Beausejour

Shame on Kelce

Re: Chiefs win Super Bowl; repeat; Chiefs win Super Bowl (Feb.12)

Monday’s Free Press Sports section ran an article by Rob Maaddi where he wrote — “The most excitement in the first half came when a frustrated Kelce bumped Andy Reid on the sideline knocking the 65-year-old coach a few steps back.”

In my opinion his word excitement should be replaced by the word upsetting. Those watching the game at our son’s house were disgusted by Kelce’s behaviour. All present reinforced that over and over again to our young grandson who witnessed Kelce acting like a bully. Unfortunately it is a sign of a new era where Kelce’s actions hardly rendered a negative comment.

I wonder if in years past a player (Joe Schmo) bumped Vince Lombardi in the same fashion — would everyone comment — “Well, Joe is just a super competitive guy.”

I think not!

Dennis McGavock

Winnipeg