Letters, March 8

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This article was published 08/03/2024 (771 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

What’s fair?

Re: Health workers at residential facility for disabled on strike over wages (March 6)

The words of Todd Norris, “Without them I’m going to be in a lot of trouble,” tears at my heart as over 150 workers go on strike for better wages. Pleas for compassion, empathy, fall on deaf ears as workers state they’ve been left behind in the upsurge of healthcare wages. But what are “fair wages?”

In a time when minimum wage is fast becoming the norm, particularly for those lacking a university degree or professional designation, employers are more inclined to scrutinize the wages vs. job technicality equation. Non-profits acting independently of the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority negotiate their own contract terms and benefits. They are not part of “the system,” and they operate within very tightly managed budgets without direct access to taxpayers’ pockets. That’s not to say these workers don’t deserve a wage increase, it’s to say that they need to maintain a realistic perspective.

And so I ask once again, what are fair wages? A graduate of the three-year bachelor of nursing program at RRC Polytech has the potential to earn $150,000 per year, while the seven-year university-trained professional engineer, the person responsible to ensure that our bridges don’t collapse and tires don’t explode, who designs aeroplanes to fly and toasters to pop, earns half of that.

Randy Clinch

Winnipeg

Time for real Rubin Block solutions

Re: City sues owner of long-vacant south Osborne apartment block, historic downtown house (March 4)

As a longtime resident of the South Osborne community, I have followed the developments regarding the Rubin Block with considerable interest since the building was vacated in 2014 and left vacant by the current owners.

Occasionally we would hear some vague messages from our civic officials about progress being made to address concerns expressed by local residents about having this empty building in our midst. The local concerns involved safety, esthetics and the fact that 21 suites sit vacant while our politicians rattle on about the need for more affordable housing. We were assured that serious steps were being taken to address the Rubin Block situation.

So imagine our surprise when we learn from a Free Press article that the “serious steps” consisted of allowing the owners to run up a tab of almost $20,000 for unpaid fees and penalties since 2018. So now the city is playing hardball and taking the owners to court. This would be laughable if it wasn’t such a serious issue.

Any owner, whether individual or corporate, who can leave multiple properties unused for more than a decade in desirable locations obviously has sufficient resources that the “penalties” being imposed are nothing more than a minor inconvenience. This is definitely not a deterrent. The residents of South Osborne want the Rubin Block situation remedied without delay.

I am certain there are residents living near many other vacant building in Winnipeg who share that sentiment for their own neighbourhoods.

Mayor Scott Gillingham and the other members of city council all need to step up and put some serious legislation in place now with some serious penalties and an aggressive enforcement program. What we have seen to date is anything but.

David Ediger

Winnipeg

Minister wrong to chastise

Re: Guilbeault calls Saskatchewan premier ‘immoral’ for breaking carbon-price law (March 4)

Steven Guilbeault takes a page out of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s playbook and very publicly chastises Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe over his discriminatory application of the carbon tax. Irresponsible and immoral; it’s not something he takes lightly. There will be consequences; Natural Resource Minister Jonathan Wilkinson citing cutting the carbon tax rebates to Saskatchewan households as an example. The Canadian Revenue Agency does have compliance processes seeking payment or documents before turning to the courts.

The paternal arrogance, and disrespect of this minister towards the Saskatchewan premier reflects that of his leader and the rest of the cabinet.

To rule is not to lead. The 11th commandment “thou shalt not bluff.” If he takes the Saskatchewan government to court, he adds fuel to western alienation and he may not get the outcome he anticipates. The rebates are based on how much money is collected in each province and will be lowered, he said, if less money comes in.

If there is no money coming in, there is nothing to rebate. That’s the desired outcome. So, axe the tax.

We have another minister in Trudeau’s cabinet who flexes his muscles in ideological ignorance, to punish those who protest his policies. Welcome aboard.

Robert K. Froese

Winnipeg

Say your piece on animal law

Re: Justice for animals (Letters, March 4)

Linda Chernenkoff says “Bravo to Animal Justice, the Winnipeg Humane Society, The Canadian Horse Defence Coalition and Manitoba Animal Save” for their success in getting provincial approval to privately prosecute a Swan River breeding operation that exports live horses to Japan to be fattened and slaughtered.

This sordid industry targets Belgian and Percheron breeds and exists so that the raw flesh of these gentle and noble giants can be eaten by the wealthy. Linda questions why anyone would want to try and justify this and, in my experience, most are repulsed by it.

These highly sensitive flight animals are trucked long distances from barren feedlots to one of three airports and crowded into wooden crates where they wait on the tarmac to be loaded onto planes for their long flights overseas. This is all without food, water, rest or comfort. Of course, they are scared and skittish and so electric prods are employed to manouevre them.

To our shame, Winnipeg’s airport is one of the three and, unsurprisingly, the whole process is carried out under the cover of darkness.

Several full cargo planes have left Winnipeg already this year. At the other end in Japan, the horses wait as they are unloaded and then reloaded into trucks to be transported yet further. It is a gruelling journey and they don’t all make it. The people invested in the industry claim to love horses. Having watched a YouTube video of a horse slaughterhouse in Japan, I shudder to think of where they’d send someone they didn’t like.

Bill C-355, a bill to end these brutal exports, is now before the Agriculture Committee for review.

Despite the majority of Canadians being in favour of this bill, the federal Conservatives and Bloc Quebecois are trying their best to block it. If your MP is a member of the Conservative Party, it is very important that he/she be made aware of where you stand on this bill. Please reach out to them and also to the agricultural committee to make your position known.

Cathy Collins

Winnipeg

Looking to recharge

Re: Here, for a limited time only — life (Think Tank, March 6)

Pam Frampton’s idea of recharging one’s energy with a change of scenery has a lot of merit, but doesn’t necessarily require an exotic location like Italy.

We opted for a March Canadian “winter” vacation in Victoria, B.C. No passports, border crossings, special insurance, vaccinations, shopping limits, language and cultural challenges or punishing currency exchange rates.

While the weather isn’t summery, it’s a vast improvement over March in Manitoba.

Our time away is an “emotional reset” which comes from watching several loved ones on a downward trajectory, caused by illness, to a final landing on the runway of life.

Like Pam, we will recharge our batteries and carry on until it’s our turn for that final landing. Hopefully, it will be a soft one.

Wally Barton

Winnipeg