Letters, July 24

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 24/07/2025 (245 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

What students need

Re: Student-centred fight against school violence (July 23)

I was pleased to read about the provincial education department’s initiative addressing violence against school staff. The use of the term “student-focused” sets an important tone — it prompts the critical question: Which student needs are not being met within the various systems that shape their lives? Equally vital, however, is the question: What professional needs are being overlooked for the staff who support those students?

During my time working in one school division, students suspended from school were provided home-based tutorial support by staff typically assigned to help homebound students dealing with illness. This measure demonstrated a commitment to addressing academic needs alongside behavioural concerns. As a co-ordinator, I saw first-hand how some of these students responded positively to that support.

Additionally, that division implemented a full-day program for students with significant behavioural challenges, with the goal of reintegration into regular classrooms. Notably, the program staff included a learning specialist — a critical addition that underscored the importance of tailored instruction.

Of course, meeting learning needs is no cure-all for behavioural issues. Still, in my experience, those needs often receive inadequate attention during intervention planning. Acts of violence against school staff must have clear and timely consequences — for the staff, the offending student(s) and the broader student body. Safety is essential for everyone in the school environment, visitors included.

What I am suggesting is this: when planning support for students exhibiting severely disruptive behaviour, their learning needs must be explicitly identified, and thoughtful interventions implemented.

Ultimately, students attend school to learn — and they need to feel supported, especially when that learning is difficult.

Edwin Buettner

Winnipeg

Expert help

Re: Career in transition, eye on opportunity (July 23)

We should be thankful that Paul Mahon, the Great-West Lifeco president and CEO who will be retiring soon, will shift his analytical skills from acquiring retirement-focused firms, to hopefully ending homelessness.

I have always said it will take the efforts our business leaders to end homelessness, as they have superior problem solving skills. This is not a knock on the many people who work for organizations who cater to the homeless. This will be a great help to them, as more business leaders get involved. We already have Mark Chipman involved, and with Paul Mahon looking to ease the burden facing far too many people in Manitoba, perhaps the “end” of homelessness is in sight.

Alfred Sansregret

Winnipeg

Better care in the ER

Re: Racism and patients receiving emergency care (Think Tank, July 7)

Gregory Mason’s op-ed provides valuable insights into problems faced by First Nations and other minorities when trying to access emergency medical care. I wholeheartedly agree that an advocacy team would be a great asset in relieving much of the confusion and anxiety of everyone seeking medical care, not just minorities.

It might prevent desperate people from leaving without care and certainly it would ensure that no patient was left to suffer endless hours all alone. We probably do not need reminders of what that can lead to.

As a recent patient waiting what seemed like an eternity sitting in an uncomfortable chair in the crowded St. Boniface emergency waiting room, I couldn’t help but wonder: how much would it cost to at least provide a decent chair — a recliner perhaps? And wouldn’t it be great if an advocate came around and asked about our comfort level? Perhaps a drink or light snack would help relieve the physical discomfort, while a kind word or two might mitigate some of the fear and anxiety that is all too common with desperate people in pain.

Manitobans have come to believe that wait times for emergency services shall not be resolved in the near future. As a caring society, why wouldn’t we do everything we can to alleviate pain and misery when it is within our means to do so?

Surely as caring Canadians we can, we must, do better.

Jules Legal

Winnipeg

Ego check for U.S.

Re: You don’t want smoke? How about a mirror? (Think Tank, July 23)

I laughed so hard I had tears in my eyes when I read Pam Frampton’s article regarding the “Canadian” forest fire smoke that was wafting into the U.S. I guess the U.S. has totally forgotten about Mount St. Helen’s little burp, which wafted into Canada.

Even those of us in Manitoba, three provinces away, were affected and over time the ashes spread all over the world. Some Americans are so ego-centric! They need to be reminded they are not the only people in the world.

Naomi Finkelstein

Winnipeg

Enough with advertising

Today, I received my Manitoba Hydro bill, and like every other month the envelope contained extra brochures and papers. And, like every other month, I tossed them into the recycling bin without even looking at them.

Tonight, I was checking the news and clicked on a news video. Before the video started there was a 30-second commercial from Manitoba Hydro. I ignored it, as I always do.

We in Manitoba don’t have a choice as to where we get our power from, so why are there video ads on the internet and, I’m assuming, on TV as well? I suspect that, like myself, no one reads the extra papers that are included in the envelope containing the bill.

Lately, Manitoba Hydro is bemoaning the issue of going broke unless they increase our monthly bill. But, and I may be wrong here, doesn’t it cost money to produce video ads to put on TV and the internet? What are the ads for? We don’t get to choose our power provider.

I’m also thinking that the extra papers included with the bills also cost money. And what’s the purpose of them?

I think that Manitoba Hydro should really be looking at other cost saving measures rather than spending money on totally useless advertising.

Rick Gallant

Morden

No thanks to online banking

Canadian banks give me a pain where I sit down.

I receive many emails from my bank encouraging me to convert to online banking. This basically means that the bank wants to download the work to their customers while closing branches and reducing the number of staff.

If you go into a branch, you will see perhaps two tellers and a line of 10 to 15 people waiting for service. Banks make billions in profits, yet look at their customers as an inconvenience that should be shoved into the electronic world.

It may come as a surprise to bankers that people like to talk to people. Senior citizens are still to some degree uncomfortable with electronic devices and want to have an opportunity to explain their situation to a human being.

Banks should wake up and actually treat their customers with respect.

Kurt Clyde

Winnipeg