Letters, Jan. 30

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 30/01/2025 (271 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Making do with less

Re: Canada must stroke Trump’s ego – not start a trade war (Jan. 29)

I totally agree that we must do our best to figure out how to avoid or at least minimize a trade war with the United States. And indeed, the most effective strategy may be to give Trump as many “wins” as possible rather than be as confrontational as possible.

But why does the conversation we have been having seem to be only about our future economic prosperity and attaining the highest economic standard of living possible? While economic well-being is undoubtedly important and matters, I wonder if there is something else equally important that we don’t seem to be talking about enough, if at all.

By this I mean, shouldn’t we also be having a conversation about the upside of accepting a somewhat lower stand of living in exchange for greater economic stability and autonomy (and hence less economic vulnerability). In other words, to find ways to lessen our dependence on trade with the U.S. even if this means that some of us will have to be OK with less.

No one should pretend this would be an easy conversation but wouldn’t it be worthwhile having?

Gerald Farthing

Winnipeg

Soured friendship

Re: Feb. 1 tariff date ‘still on the books’ (Jan. 29)

We await Feb. 1 to see if U.S. President Donald Trump will follow through on his threat to impose tariffs on Canadian goods. Will we breathe a sigh of relief believing that the status quo will live another day, or will we retaliate with tariffs of our own?

In either case, we should know that our partner and friend to the south is neither a respectful partner nor friend. However this turns out, it is time for Canadians to address barriers to interprovincial trade, to increase productivity, to add value to our raw materials and natural resources, and to enhance trading relationships with others while decreasing our trade dependency on the U.S.

Donald Peters

Winnipeg

Don’t make the taxpayer lose out

Here’s an open letter to elected leaders, both federal and provincial.

First and foremost, fix Canada’s provincial cross-border taxation. It’s like we all live in different countries rather than different provinces!

Are you prepared to add to our cost of living by having a trade war where the only loser is the Canadian taxpayer, who has to shell out extra money for imports?

If we do nothing, the losers will be the U.S. consumers — not us, since they will pay more for imported goods!

Do not raise import taxes/duties if you want to have any hope of getting elected next time.

Lastly, work on expanding our trade with other countries so we are not so dependent on the U.S.

One suggestion that has been mentioned is to motivate companies to move some of their manufacturing to Canada through special incentives, including lower taxes. That’s what Trump is proposing, why can we not do something similar, or even more enticing?

Murray Fallen

Courtenay, B.C.

Recognizing a threat

‘Never again’ losing ground: Trudeau (Jan. 29)

We all need to review the horrifying truth about Hitler and Nazi Germany. Now look at what Trump is doing. We need to acknowledge that Trump’s supporters violently attempted to overthrow an elected government. That they were legitimately prosecuted and sentenced, and that Trump overthrew that sentencing and released these armed paramilitaries back into U.S. society, within the first moments of his presidency.

We need to see the similarities where Hitler designated Jews as subhuman and Trump has designated undocumented Latin American workers as criminals, for mass deportations. That these deportations ensued on his first days of presidency. Hitler’s threats to annex European countries, Trumps threats to annex Canada, Greenland and who knows who will be next. Hitler had his business tycoon supporters. Trump showed off a whole team of billionaire propagandists.

The final kicker? A majority of American voters voted for this! Canadians have to wake up and take a stand. It’s not just about trade tariffs, as harmful as that will be.

We need to remember the Holocaust because of the genocide that it was. Just as we need to remember the residential schools and the Indian Act as attempted genocide. Now we need to identify the current threat to our world. It’s not “just” a trade war. It’s fascism.

Gloria Enns

Winnipeg

COVID report a slap in the face

Re: Alberta doctors criticizes COVID-19 report as ‘anti-science’ (Jan. 28)

Many critics of COVID policies discount science for diverse reasons, including claims like scientists always endorse views desired by funding sources. Although mostly false, it can occur, ironically as demonstrated by this report critical of COVID policies.

A few minutes on Google reveals that every contributor to the report had a critical stance on COVID prior to the committee being formed, and some had skeptical views about vaccines even earlier.

How could such a biased committee be formed? Three basic steps. Premier Danielle Smith appoints a known critic of COVID policies as chair. Then the chair is authorized to select all of the other members. Finally, the chair selects only individuals known to be critical of COVID policies.

The final product, arguably intended by Smith, is not only anti-science, but also a slap in the face to the many health professionals in Alberta who worked hard and diligently to cope with COVID under trying conditions, as well as the many Albertans who acted in good faith to minimize the harm.

Jim Clark

Winnipeg

Window of opportunity closing

Re: Granite campaigns to save parking lot (Jan. 28)

We’re in a short window of opportunity where the city has funding and political will to support the development of deeply affordable housing. Why? Because there are encampments across our city, young adults staying at home until they’re 30, and seniors skipping medicine and meals because of the high cost of rent. Winnipeggers want our elected officials to respond to this housing crisis quickly.

And yet, in this window, the executive of the Granite Curling Club is arguing to save a parking lot. Let’s be clear: slowing down approval on this project means that the window will shut and whatever gets built will not be affordable. Maybe that’s what the curling club executive actually wants?

Christina Maes Nino

Winnipeg

Putting students’ needs first

Re: “Reworking regulations” (Letters, Jan. 28)

Thanks to Vern Kebernik for his comments regarding the assessment of students experiencing learning issues. It is an area often overlooked in developing policies related to literacy development in general.

While clinical specialists (such as psychologists, speech/language clinicians and reading clinicians) are an essential element in planning for individual students, I think it is important that a team perspective be maintained throughout and that the team be inclusive: school staff, parents, and when appropriate, the student.

Participants in teams each bring their own points of view which need to be integrated. In my experience, keeping one question front and centre can serve as a catalyst for planning: What does the student need right now?

Edwin Buettner

Winnipeg