Letters, May 4

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 04/05/2024 (879 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Truck troubles

Re: Fight brewing over idling fire trucks (May 3)

With all due respect to firefighters and the job they do — we thank you for your service.

We all know the real problem for the percentage of budget that goes to staffing, quoted at 86 per cent, and absurd rates of overtime is that they show up to a simple medical call, even to lift or assist a senior, in a large fire truck with a minimum of three firefighters and a paramedic if available. It can take them hours in limbo before clearing the call. The same goes for paramedics in ambulances and police.

They waste extreme amounts of time/overtime waiting in city hospitals, suggesting they can’t leave until patients are seen by a doctor or they could be liable. This is a complete lack of proper organization between facilities and responsibilities. Let’s not forget that these huge overtime costs, being paid by taxpayers, are included in their pension calculation formulas which result in them receiving huge pensions once they retire, most with only 25 years of service required to be fully vested, and well above the norm for most people other than politicians and senior management positions. Assuming like most pensions, that they accrue based on the best five years income out of the previous 11 years or so most work plenty of overtime in order to maximize their pension benefits.

They are well aware of these provisions and take advantage of it. Why is it so hard for the city to figure this out and put the proper protocols in place to stop this ridiculous practice of sending them as first responders to medical calls and paramedics/police sitting idly in hospitals for prolonged periods of time? This abuse of overtime has got to stop. Am I missing something here? Were firefighters hired to fight fires or to respond to medical calls in a big fire truck with way more people than is usually required?

This long-standing feud between firefighters and paramedics needs to be sorted out as does the amount of time they and the police spend in health-care facilities and other unrelated duties to their core functions. Somebody needs to provide some leadership here. It has gone on far too long.

The overtime paid alone in these departments could fund many full-time positions and if hired should theoretically alleviate the problem unless of course they are not held accountable or change their practices. Instead of being part of the problem, be part of the solution.

Tim Bromley

Winnipeg

Just a thought about the city budget. Instead of reducing public safety services, how about freezing city councillors’ salaries?

Better yet, reduce the amount of councillors as sometimes their brains seem to be idling anyway. Bet they’d change their minds pretty quickly if they were in need of emergency services. Have we not learned a lesson in overworking emergency personnel with another recent suicide?

Brenda Boss

Winnipeg

Sad statements

Re: Balancing free speech and hate speech (Think Tank, May 3)

Sad to see Naomi Levine’s opinion piece in the paper. Her comments that “Palestinian hate for Jews is bred in the bone, taught in the schools… to be fair, I have not heard stories of any Palestinian who has tried to help a Jew” reminds me of the depiction of Jewish people in pre-Second World War Germany as vampires sucking the blood out of the German people.

Sad, also to see, how many people get lined up on sides, the us and them, that allows us to treat one another in horrible ways — and also to be terrified of one another.

Steve Rauh

Winnipeg

Reading Naomi Levine’s op-ed made me sad. There is no denying that throughout history Jews have been treated badly, but to focus on only that and ignore the horrific punishment that Israel is inflicting on the Palestinians is truly sad.

Ms. Levine cries for the murdered, tortured and traumatized Jews, but avoids saying that she cries for the Palestinians who have been murdered, tortured and traumatized. The behaviour of Israel throughout this “engagement,” because it can’t be called a war, has been nothing short of inhumane, and yet, where is the protest by Jews worldwide for their leadership to stop the killing?

Whether we identify as a Jew, a non-Jew, a Zionist, a non-Zionist, a Palestinian, a non-Palestinian or any other identity, there is only one identity we all share… being human. As humans we all experience pain, heartache, joy, compassion, regret, and most importantly love. Let’s take off our identity badges and start being human.

Wally Barton

Winnipeg

Applause for chiefs

Re: ‘Water is life’: First Nations launch $4-B suit over Lake Winnipeg pollution (May 1)

I am writing to support and applaud the chiefs of eight Manitoba First Nations for their lawsuit naming the city, province and federal governments, alleging that they have breached their fiduciary duties by allowing Lake Winnipeg to become polluted.

Scientists have known for many years that Winnipeg’s sewage is the largest point source of phosphorus and nitrogen, nutrients that are feeding the blue-green algae blooms in Lake Winnipeg and that, as a point source, the problem is fixable, although costly. However, it is important to note that non-point sources of phosphorus and nitrogen are abundant in Manitoba when you consider the vast amounts of hog manure that are spread on cropland every year.

Most people don’t know that the regulations in Manitoba allow for the spreading of up to five times crop removal rates of phosphorus and nitrogen, as long as manure is not re-applied to that same land for five years. The problem with this regulation is that the excess phosphorus and nitrogen that is left in the soil become available to run off during heavy rainstorms or flood events. That runoff gets into ditches, creeks, streams and eventually into Lake Winnipeg and other Manitoba lakes, resulting in sometimes toxic algal blooms.

Considering that Manitoba has by far the most intensive hog industry of anywhere in Canada (averaging almost 6,000 pigs per farm, compared to the national average of less than 2,000 per farm), there is a huge amount of manure to be applied every year.

I have been involved in advocating for Lake Winnipeg for the past 16 years and am sorry to say that I’ve seen very little real action to restore the health of the lake. The answers to this problem are there, but to date, the political will has been absent. I hope this bold move by the Manitoba First Nations will result in the investments that are desperately needed both in Winnipeg’s sewage system and the industrial hog industry.

Vicki Burns

Winnipeg

Frustrating situation

Re: Starbucks set to temporarily close amid crime, drug problems in Osborne Village (May 2)

It’s getting pretty bad when businesses have to close due to criminals and drug addicts.

When are we going to stop talking about the problems in this city and actually do something? I am not saying I have all the answers, but I’m sick and tired of politicians promising changes, only to see matters grow worse daily. I also work downtown and noticed at the start of this spring the noticeable increase of the homeless and drug addicts on the north side.

It’s a disgrace from Dollarama to Portage Place. Businesses and people who work in this area deserve better. We have become more concerned about the rights and well-being of criminals and addicts than we are of workers and customers.

Stewart Jacques

Winnipeg