Letters, Feb. 19

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 19/02/2025 (403 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Train wreck in progress

We are not just watching a democracy crumbling south of our border, we are watching the sovereignty of nations and territories being threatened by the “leader of the free world.”

Panama, Greenland and Canada were already in Trump’s sights. Emptying Gaza of the Palestinian people and repurposing Gaza’s territory was a later addition to his shambles of a foreign policy. Now we have the proposed shrinking of Ukraine’s lands and potential denial of Ukraine’s entry to NATO apparently on the table to work some sort of peace deal with Russia after its invasion of Ukraine.

Russia alone should be making concessions for peace.

Sending two rookies, the vice-president and the defense secretary, to deliver disastrous speeches to the security summit this last weekend, signals where the U.S. is headed in its approach to partnerships and alliances. NATO member countries and Ukraine must be part of any peace agreement with Russia.

Lecturing European leaders on the protection of free speech and democracy, by the vice-president, was the absolute pinnacle of arrogance and hypocrisy, given what is happening with dismantling of judicial independence and government departments in his country.

What comes next?

David Stones

Winnipeg

Poor sportsmanship

Re: U.S. beats Canada 3-1 in fight-filled 4 Nations matchup (Feb. 15)

Way to go, guys. What a wonderful example to set for young hockey players. A game of speed and skill? Nope! Fist fighting.

The participants should be ashamed and booted from the tournament. That is not what hockey should be. After all, it’s a sport!

Mike Mackenzie

Winnipeg

Dealing with a bully

Re: Call Trump’s bluff of needing nothing from us (Feb. 15)

In a well-thought-out column this gentleman says what most of us are thinking.

If the bully in America needs absolutely nothing from our country then we should not even consider any kind of trade with them. The final straw for me was with such disrespect he called our prime minister a governor, and suggested again we are the 51st state.

When a bully pushes and disrespects our sovereignty, we as a country need to look elsewhere for trading partners. We all know a bully will only back down if confronted by all of us.

Janet Andrews

Winnipeg

Appreciating the International Peace Garden

Re: Caught in the crossfire (Feb. 14)

We have been bombarded of late by politicians spouting misdirected proclamations and deceitful promises. It is difficult to know what is truth or fiction, right or wrong, or even reality or fantasy. We immediately react and defend against what we feel is unfair or unjust. Our reactions, while entirely understandable, can spread well beyond their intended targets, and too often their resulting impacts do severe, unintended damage.

How do we measure and direct our efforts in more meaningful ways, and do the right thing? Certainly “buy Canadian” can help, but with an integrated global trading network it becomes difficult for the ordinary citizen to determine what is really Canadian.

I can’t tell you what is the best reaction to the negative political rhetoric, but I do know that at this time in history we need to respect and reflect on the meaning of places that have been created like the International Peace Garden. The IPG was founded in 1932 and dedicated to the continued peace and friendship between nations. I can’t think of a better place to visit or reason to do so. It is a beautiful place intended for people of all walks of life to come together to reflect on societal problems and resolve differences. We need places like this more than ever before.

I encourage you to visit and celebrate this tangible evidence of lasting peace between peoples of different geographies. Until recently, the border between the U.S. and Canada was the longest undefended border in the world. That should mean something to each of us when we hear about and see the scope of wars and conflict happening globally. In my mind, it would seem an act of measured defiance to visit and participate in one of the many planned activities such as the music camp or simply take a walk and experience the colorful garden of the International Peace Garden.

I encourage all of us to spend some time at the International Peace Garden this summer. I know my family and I will.

Charlie Thomsen

Winnipeg

Putting pedestrian safety first

Re: Signal change will give pedestrians five-second jump on traffic in most downtown intersections (Feb. 14)

I was so heartened to read that the city will soon be implementing leading pedestrian intervals at many downtown intersections. It’s a sign that the city wants to make downtown a more people-oriented place, which is encouraging.

A logical next step would be to implement more “no right turn on red” restrictions. Many folks treat a red light as a yield, not even coming to a full stop before turning right. Often they are so focused on oncoming traffic from the left that they don’t notice pedestrians to their right who are crossing with the right of way.

Prohibiting right turns on red would help to make pedestrians much visible and send a stronger message that their safety matters.

Emma Durand-Wood

Winnipeg

Good diplomatic effort

Re: Premiers in D.C. to deliver anti-tariff message (Feb. 12)

I’m impressed with Premier Wab Kinew, and the 12 other premiers with their “Team Canada” strategy in Washington. This is textbook diplomacy at work. What hasn’t been said is that diplomacy does not just inevitably happen. It requires strong, tactful and intelligent leadership and a willingness to collaborate between 13 high-level Canadian officials.

This marked the first time all Canadian premiers have united for such a mission. I also give Prime Minister Justin Trudeau a lot of the credit for his influence on this mission. They all deserve recognition for their internal team diplomacy and their diplomatic strategy in Washington.

Premier Wab Kinew has been an uplifting example on “Team Canada” with his “charm offensive.” He’s presented a well-informed, classy and positive approach when dealing with quite the opposite in the White House. If our representatives appeared emotional and irrational, that would slam the Oval Office door shut.

The team’s tact has been a model for other countries. I believe the world is passively watching this play out as many countries are in Trump’s crosshairs. It’s also an expected approach by our country that has historically been a calming, pragmatic influence on the world stage. Canada does not have as much leverage in negotiating with the U.S., so it’s logical that we take this current diplomatic approach. We need to be able to say we took the high road for “Plan A.”

As for “Plan B,” I agree that the progression of economic retaliation should include counter tariffs and international economic diversification. Canadians will have to make inconvenient sacrifices if we are to preserve our sovereignty and get this beast off our backs. Also, instead of booing the American anthem, stay seated, it’s more diplomatic.

Kelly Milan

Winnipeg