Letters, July 5

Opinion

The separatist movement

Re: Western alienation deeply rooted (July 4)

It’s somehow appropriate that Conrad Sweatman’s piece on western Canadian separatism is published on Independence Day. I’m sure that’s no coincidence.

Many in the Western Canadian separation movement would love to be part of Donald Trump’s America, it’s just too bad they wouldn’t be welcome. You think winter is hard on the Prairies? Wait until you experience America’s ICE.

I appreciate Kelly Saunders’ history lesson and while it is true that the national policy of John A. MacDonald played to some extent a role in the development of the discontent in the west, it was done so not to enrich the elites of the east, the loyalist migration that developed Canada’s economic and population engine in Ontario, it was done to prevent American exceptionalism from taking over Canada. A not too different set of similar circumstances is occurring now.

The problem though is that while the national policy irked people of sound mind at the time in the late 1800s, it’s an altogether different story today. People who support this movement are doing so more out of misinformation and social media manipulation than carefully crafted political rebuke, whereas you had political movements like Social Credit that were at least informed and had an argument, now you have TikTok. It’s not really the same.

As much as it will irk and inflame the separatists, I think we need to look to Quebec and how its sovereignty movement was quelled. The central question was: can a provincial entity reclaim a sovereignty that they never had in the first place? The answer is clearly no. It’s the same in the West and nothing Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and TikTok can do can ever change that simple fact.

Will Jones

Winnipeg

Focus on solutions

Re: Bell, Telus spar over blame for 911 outage (July 4)

Bell and Telus, stop your blame game and work together to repair the 911 problem. There are many rural residential lines that have not been working properly for years in my area, for which Bell is responsible. Telus is likewise not providing proper cell service.

In my opinion, I believe it is more important that Bell and Telus repair the telephone infrastructure to work properly, rather than promote sales with the public to increase their profits. For the service I receive, my monthly bill is too expensive.

Jack Kowalchuk

Beausejour

Providing incentives

Re: Health-care privatization is no cure (Think Tank, July 4)

I agree with most of Noah Schulz’s analysis of the current medical system in general in Manitoba. Perhaps one way to attract and maintain much-needed professionals in the government medical system would be to offer a serious tax break to the salaries of all new hires from outside the province and for all new graduates from within our education system.

A cut in taxes that would be immediately applied to the salaries paid by the province as an incentive to begin a new career in the chosen field, and also be applied to new employees from outside the province over a five-year period. This could help with attracting new people into the various fields of study that we desperately need as well as those already qualified from outside Manitoba.

This financial incentive could work on a sliding scale, reaching full tax contributions by the end of the five year term or whatever timeframe would work best. Governments of every stripe have used corporate welfare through tax deferral or outright cancellation of taxes to financial aid as an incentive to set up shop in a desired location.

Let’s apply the same principle to our much-needed and professional workers we need to attract to the current public health-care system.

Robert Gordon

Winnipeg

Keep it constructive

Re: Axworthy accuses Carney of caving in to Trump (July 3)

It has to be tough being an ex-politician. You have the experience, knowledge and answers in regard to a multitude of issues and challenges.

The only problem is that you are not in a position to implement your solutions.

All you can do is criticize and second-guess our elected officials. I am sure that Prime Minister Mark Carney will duly note Lloyd Axworthy’s rather sagacious observations. Even though Carney has committed the grievous sin of coming “from a life outside politics” I suspect that he will then continue to make decisions that reflect that he, Mark Carney — not Lloyd Axworthy — is running the country.

Mac Horsburgh

Winnipeg

Spread the support around

Re: Homeless services under one roof (July 3)

As a resident of St. Boniface who has seen firsthand the value of a local, responsive team like St. Boniface Street Links, it is incredibly disappointing to read that this effective, grassroots organization has been shut out of municipal funding.

They have transformed an empty city building into a hub on St. Mary’s Road for those seeking shelter. They have an equally important home on Provencher Boulevard, doing essential addictions work, and their leader, Marion Willis, is quoted continuously in this paper, when discussing the vulnerable in our city.

One would think when addressing our greatest crisis in the city, more support would be the answer, not less.

Alyssa Rajotte

Winnipeg

No need for an RCUT

Re: Carberry residents blast highway intersection plan (June 25)

Regarding the intersection of Highways 1 and 5 at Carberry, I agree with Carberry residents’ dislike of the government’s choice to build RCUTS (Restricted Crossing U-Turn interesction) there. I’ve driven on that stretch of highway frequently because my family and friends live in the Brandon and surrounding area.

The Carberry intersection has always been busy and there have been many accidents there over the years — just ask area residents and first responders. RCUTs seem unsafe due to the speed limit and the many semi-trailers travelling on this highway.

Also, if RCUTS are such a good option, where else on the Trans-Canada Highway are they being used in Canada? If intersection lights aren’t an option, and an overpass is considered too expensive, how about a large roundabout? My partner and I travelled on the fabulous highway system in Ireland a few years back, and roundabouts were frequently utilized in a very safe and effective manner.

We already have a very good one just south of Winnipeg at Hwys. 2 and 3 near Oak Bluff — and it may be a great option at the Carberry intersection too!

Donna Eastoe

Winnipeg

Keeping riders safe

Re: “Optimistic about new system” (Letters, July 2); “Pay or don’t ride” (Letters, June 24)

Tom Pearson and Patricia Gagnon’s thoughtful appeals for bus passenger safety should stimulate our mayor to advocate for a zero tolerance approach on non-paying bus riders. Transit union members have long noted that most dangerous incidents involve non-paying riders.

Perhaps using a mounted camera facing the fare box, the driver could photograph the non-paying rider, with the image automatically forwarded to a mobile safety officer who could then enter the bus and remove the individual. A flashing red light on the exterior of the bus would also help notify prospective riders and safety officers of the operator’s urgent need for assistance.

Wayne Manishen

Winnipeg