Letters, May 24

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This article was published 24/05/2025 (366 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Wharton must go

Re: Former premier Stefanson, cabinet ministers broke ethics rules: investigation (May 21)

So the PC opposition is again sweeping things under the rug. This is the second time Stefanson has fallen under investigation, previously for not declaring money make from selling assets, saying she forgot even though she was a sitting MLA of over 20 years. Really! Khan’s first act as leader was to remove Jeff Wharton from his shadow cabinet.

Just like the previous vote-splitting scandal under Filmon, you would think they would have learned something. Wharton apologized to Khan and the PC party was considered sincere. Like he got caught with his hand in the cookie jar but no real punishment.

It would have given credence to the apology had Khan ask for his resignation.

Wharton needs to resign to send a strong message to Manitobans that this behavior is not acceptable.

Lois Wales

Selkirk

Parking problems

Re: “Whole new hassle” (Letters, May 23)

I wish to add my voice to letter writers Hangle, Quanbury, and Goltsman-Ferris who have raised some important questions related to the planned Winnipeg parking initiative.

Among my concerns is that the plan does not seem to make provision for folks who live beyond the city. Though I do reside in Winnipeg, I worry about people driving to Winnipeg for medical or other appointments. For some, such a trip may be a rarity and entering a busy urban environment may seem daunting enough without the extra hassle of not knowing how to navigate parking.

There certainly is a need to reboot the current parking options and I see very real advantages to the proposed system. However, one must always be careful not to forget the human element in the forward march of technology.

Edwin Buettner

Winnipeg

So I can purchase a City of Winnipeg Transit pass in multiple locations, within a kilometre or two of my home, but there are only three places to get the new parking booklets?

Access to parking is critical to visiting the downtown and all it has to offer. If the mayor and city council are trying to make our downtown a more vibrant attractive place to visit, this seems to be a step backwards.

Ernie Nuytten

Winnipeg

I certainly hope the Parking Store has free parking when I drive down there to purchase a booklet of parking coupons. I can see them lying in wait to hand out parking tickets otherwise.

Ursula Delfing

Winnipeg

Money not the issue

Re: “Jets’ unfair situation” (Letters, May 22)

It’s difficult to take seriously the claim that Winnipeg Jets players are at a disadvantage because of their salaries. Let’s consider two key points that undermine this argument.

First, the notion that a player earning $7 million is somehow disadvantaged because taxes or cost-of-living factors reduce that to $5 million is unconvincing. We’re still talking about multimillion-dollar earnings. Framing this as a “hardship” stretches credibility — these are elite athletes, not marginal wage earners.

Second, and more importantly, the argument omits a crucial fact: all NHL player contracts are paid in U.S. dollars, regardless of the market. That means any currency fluctuation or tax hit in a Canadian city like Winnipeg doesn’t change the nominal value of their deal. In essence, that “reduced” income is restored by the favorable exchange rate when converted into Canadian dollars for local use.

At the end of the day, performance on the ice is not dictated by marginal tax differences or city-to-city accounting nuances. It comes down to coaching, team culture, development, and individual drive — not the fine print on a paycheck. NHL salaries have no direct bearing on wins and losses. To suggest otherwise is a distraction from the real issues.

Robert Milan

Victoria, B.C.

Camel qualities

Re: Making the most of our medical resources (Editorial, May 22)

Your editorial “Making the most of our medical resources” makes eminent sense. I do, however, object to the final sentence:

“… in the race to provide Manitobans with the health care they deserve, the effort is better served by a horse than a camel.”

Camels are more versatile animals than horses. They are well suited for long distance travel carrying freight and humans.They can walk approximately 20 miles a day, while carrying up to 200 pounds.

Camels provide milk and meat, their hides can be used for leather and their hair can be used for textiles.

Our medical system should be as versatile as the camel. One hopes that the Free Press’s anti-camel ideology will soon end.

Kurt Clyde

Winnipeg

Science critical to climate response

Re: Demystifying science, for our own good; Paying attention to climate change (Think Tank, May 21)

Kudos to writers Peter Denton and Norm Brandson for two important and related opinion pieces on the value of science in addressing the crises that we presently face. As the health critic and president of the Green Party of Manitoba, I wholeheartedly agree that science is critical to our responses to the climate emergency and to global public health concerns. Our governments must embrace and support science, from research to training to communications, and adequately fund these activities.

I was one of the few who attended the public event mentioned by Mr. Denton, with Dr. Peter Hotez, the internationally recognized scientist recently in Winnipeg as a visiting professor. I too was surprised by the small turnout, given Dr. Hotez’s professional stature. Perhaps little wonder, as Dr. Hotez noted, few non-scientists can name a living scientist (many still mentioning Albert Einstein!) and as Mr. Denton observed, “the general public’s lack of knowledge about science will have increasingly tragic consequences.”

Dennis Bayomi

Winnipeg

End mailing of animals

Re: Shipment of thousands of chicks found abandoned in USPS truck now overwhelming an animal shelter (May 19)

Most Canadians would be shocked and appalled to learn that living animals can be shipped through the mail. According to Canada Post’s ABCs of mailing, “live day-old chicks must not need food, water or attention during handling in the mail and newly hatched poultry must reach their final destination within 72 hours after the time of hatching so they can be provided with feed, water, and rest.”

Similarly, the delivery of live small cold-blooded, non-poisonous animals to a destination is required to be achievable in three consecutive business days (excluding weekends and statutory holidays) from the time of mailing.

With yet another postal disruption looming, Canada Post has indicated live animals will be one of two exceptions to “items” currently in the system that will be secured until the strike ends and no new animals would be let through. Sentient beings are not freight.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers should make ending this hideous practice part of their bargaining strategy.

Debbie Wall

Winnipeg