Letters, April 29

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 29/04/2024 (909 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Intersection proposal

We travel to and from Alberta to visit Manitoba relatives numerous times per year.

Along the Trans-Canada Highway we encounter numerous slowdowns to 80 km/h through towns and cities, as well as many stop lights. So rather than think about spending mega millions on the fancy turn at the Trans-Canada and Highway 5 near Carberry, which I think will mess up people like us tremendously, why not try the following?

Slow traffic to 80 km/h a kilometre from the intersection. Then at a half kilometre slow it to 60 km/h.

At this speed, all east-west traffic will have a far greater chance of stopping or avoiding cross traffic if north-south traffic happens to make an error in judgment.

Signs approaching the intersection for north-south traffic will alert them to the reduced east-west traffic speed to reduce the anxiety those travellers have about crossing the Trans-Canada.

For probably less than $50,000 this intersection can be made substantially safer for all concerned. Give it a couple of years to observe. If accidents still happen, put in a traffic light and end the problem entirely.

The traffic light option will cost far less than all the construction and reduce the traffic headaches for the years it will take to construction the other option.

That’s my two cents.

B. Hamende

Okotoks, Alta.

Brain drain at WCB

Re: Compensation board rife with its own workplace problems: source (April 24)

I read with great interest Malak Abas’s recent article regarding problems at, and with, the Workers Compensation Board (WCB). I am a workers compensation consultant for employers and have been dealing with WCB in this role for 27 years.

I can echo many of the “whistleblower’s” complaints with the deteriorating situation at WCB. I actually deal with WCBs throughout Canada and would’ve told you that until around five or six years ago, the Manitoba WCB compared very well to other Canadian WCBs.

However, in the past number of years the Manitoba WCB’s service level and, even more importantly, collective knowledge base has deteriorated significantly. Furthermore, the Manitoba WCB is now lagging behind other WCBs in their use of technology.

All of this has resulted in much less responsiveness to employers (and presumably to injured workers as well). This has resulted in major delays in adjudication of claims and in managing and resolving claims and in utilization of WCB’s own medical advisors. At the end of the day, it results in higher rates for individual employers, which affects those employers’ competitiveness (for private employers) and ability to service their constituents (for public employers).

WCB has suffered from a significant “brain drain” in the past several years insofar as many long-serving employees retired, taking their knowledge with them, and WCB has failed in recruiting and training staff. WCB has also lagged behind the private sector (and other Canadian WCBs) in developing and utilizing technology. Also, as Malak Abas’ whistleblower pointed out, WCB too often simply accepts claims without adequate investigation which results in a greater number of claims to manage over time.

In summary, WCB needs to adapt to new legislation thrust upon it and find a way to recruit and train staff adequately so that unacceptable delays are avoided. That would result in all stakeholders (injured workers and employers) being served better and faster and would ultimately drive down costs (even with additional staffing expenses).

Todd Sauve

Winnipeg

Budget passes muster

Re: Nearly half of Canadians pan Liberal budget: poll (April 25)

OK, this article has me seriously peeved. There seems to be a media pack mentality in play, a group think, around certain issues. A “line” quickly develops and one story repeats a theme or perspective picked up from previous “reporting” on the issue in question.

The theme around the framing of this federal Liberal budget is that it has fallen flat and has not been well received.

I understand that articles based on polling data require that a certain narrative be constructed to give coherence to raw statistics, but does the Leger survey on how the federal budget has been received really “suggest” that it has “not won over voters” and “has earned a failing grade”? Let me suggest the survey itself is open to other interpretations which undermine any notion that it’s been widely panned.

To begin, the poll consisted of 1,522 respondents and included the proviso that no margin of error could be assigned because, “online surveys are not considered truly random.” That said, only 25 per cent of people across the country had a “very negative impression,” (even in hostile Alberta the very negatives amounted to only 42 per cent); 65 per cent approved spending on housing; “more than half” approve spending more on energy efficiency and student loan forgiveness for health and education workers; and 56 per cent approve the increase to the capital gains threshold.

And if negative, how would this compare to previous budgets? Have any budgets ever been received with wild hosannas?

What baseline does this particular budget need to achieve to get a journalistic seal of approval? And panned by whom exactly? Doctors, who are among the highest paid professionals in Canada? Conservatives, who by any stretch of the imagination have yet to indicate they constitute a “loyal opposition,” never mind having policy ideas of their own? So is this pack journalism or merely lazy headline and caption writing?

To conclude, let me declare my own bias: I’m not at all interested in seeing Canada follow in the footsteps of a dysfunctional and apparently deranged U.S.! A knee-jerk need in the media to always be critical and portray the negative, to position debates as being equivalent on both sides, risks not understanding the ethical questions in play and risks pitching us into an American nightmare.

I give the budget at least a passing grade.

Sig Laser

Winnipeg

Digital exclusion

Manitoba has made commendable strides in supporting individuals with disabilities. However, a recent examination of the digital accessibility practices of Manitoba’s 13 members of Parliament (MPs) on Twitter reveals a significant gap: only one MP, Leah Gazan, consistently integrates alternate text for images, a vital aspect of accessibility. This oversight highlights the need for practical steps to enhance inclusivity in Manitoban politics.

To address this issue effectively, MPs can implement the following measures:

1. Educational initiatives: MPs and their staff should undergo training on digital accessibility standards and best practices. Workshops and resources can equip them with the necessary knowledge to ensure their online content is inclusive.

2. Simple adjustments: Incorporating basic features such as alternate text for images, captions for videos, and camel case for hashtags can greatly enhance accessibility. These small but impactful changes demonstrate a commitment to inclusivity without requiring significant resources.

3. Adherence to guidelines: Following established accessibility guidelines, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), ensures that online content meets recognized standards. Public representatives should familiarize themselves with these guidelines and integrate them into their digital communication strategies.

4. Engagement with stakeholders: Consulting with disability advocacy groups and individuals with disabilities provides valuable insights into accessibility challenges and effective solutions. By actively involving these stakeholders, MPs can ensure their efforts are informed and responsive to the needs of all constituents.

By making digital accessibility a priority and taking tangible steps, Manitoban MPs can cultivate a political landscape that is more inclusive. While challenges remain, proactive steps towards accessibility demonstrate a commitment to democratic principles of inclusivity and representation.

Amin Amir Ali

Winnipeg