Letters, Sept. 5

Opinion

In praise of Transit

With the turning of the seasons, I thought I should test out the new transit system to get to work before the snow flies (I often bike in the winter, but transit becomes a necessary back-up when the winter wind is fierce!) I’ve been reading and hearing many complaints, so I wasn’t sure what to expect.

I have to say, I love it! Anyone who has travelled and taken public transit in a large city will find this system very similar. It’s fast and easy to understand. I was on a very full F6 from my South Osborne stop, so decided to take a transfer at Osborne Junction. My transfer arrived within two minutes. I had the choice to take an F5 or an F8 downtown, so steady arrivals. This afternoon I have a meeting in the Cresentwood neighbourhood and I have many choices as not every bus goes along the exact same path, so I’ll see what’s flowing best at that time.

I don’t want to diminish anyone’s experience and I know Transit had to do this whole system change with a very tight budget. I hope councillors, MLAs and MPs recognize how important transit is to building a stronger Canada and sustainable, resilient cities. This new system is the start of something great — let’s keep making it even better.

Mel Marginet

Winnipeg

Time to act now on consumption site

Re: Politics at play as NDP stalls supervised drug site (Sept. 3)

Excellent piece from Tom Brodbeck on the deadly dithering we are seeing from the NDP on a safe consumption site for Winnipeg.

As he rightly points out, there is at this point no reasonable explanation that would justify this continued delay other than some fear of (political) backlash.

Every other province west of Quebec has multiple sites (Saskatchewan has only one), surely over these last almost two years, an effort has been made to obtain “blueprints” that worked for these provinces and communities, creating a template we can adopt here.

Manitobans with substance-abuse issues are without access to the same care and life-saving services that our neighbours provide.

Yes, this is a crisis.

Prominently, a crisis of fear and inaction by a government that seems paralyzed and unwilling to make the big bold move that will bring support and life saving services to those in the throes of addiction.

We can not go into 2026 with a government still holding “weak tea” news conferences that reveal only equivocation and no plan.

It is crystal clear. The time to act is now.

The lives and futures of our most vulnerable hang in the balance.

Christopher Brooke

Winnipeg

Esthetic appreciation

Kudos to the urban forestry branch of the City’s Public Works Department for the absolutely beautiful floral boxes that adorn city boulevards.

Admiring these gorgeous planters makes waiting in traffic that much more tolerable.

Terry Aseltine

Winnipeg

The need to be heard

The city recently announced a plan to develop supportive housing facilities in various parts of Winnipeg. These are something that are sorely needed.

Of the five locations identified, there is one in the southwest, one southeast, one in the west end and two in the North End/Garden City area. Three information sessions are being held, none of which is in, or near, the North End.

Why must the residents of these areas be forced to travel great distances to attend and learn about, and possibly voice concerns or opposition to these facilities? To make it even worse all of the sessions are scheduled during the week over the rush and supper hours making it even less likely that people will be able to attend.

Is this an attempt to slide something through without proper consultation or is it a matter of incompetence on the part of the planners? This kind of action invites a lawsuit resulting more waste of our tax dollars.

Terry Woods

Winnipeg

How best to support refugees

Re: Here come the refugees (Think Tank, Sept. 4)

Gywnne Dyer lays out a convincing argument for more global attention to the growing number of refugees in various parts of the world.

While we observe the tragic wars in Gaza, Ukraine, and South Sudan, what is often missed are the resulting increase in the number of refugees. Climate change will only exacerbate the refugee numbers. Canada needs to carefully analyze this global trend and consider how this will impact our country and how we are best to support permanent and internally displaced refugees. To be clear, it is and will impact everyone, including Canadians.

I encourage the Government of Canada to dialogue with other governments, including NGO’s which are on the ground tending to the needs of refugees. Being aware of the causes and taking preventative steps to set a new course in lieu of this disturbing trend would be wise and in everyone’s best interests.

Robert Granke

Winnipeg

Professors deserve more

Re: Professors demand more input, reduced workload, better wages at French-language university (Aug. 19)

As someone who has been in the French immersion program for most my life and the only francophone in my immigrant family from the Philippines, having done my studies in French had been a rewarding and enriching experience — and continues to be. It has not only opened doors for me but deepened my understanding of the importance of promoting French-language education in our province.

Growing up, I was promised the advantages and benefits of being bilingual in Canada. That is why it was surprising and disheartening to see that Francophone educators did not receive the recognition and fair compensation they deserve. I was particularly disappointed to discover that professors at l’Université de Saint-Boniface were forced to take such significant action simply to seek equitable treatment compared to their anglophone counterparts.

Winnipeg is home to the only francophone university in Western Canada. Professors at l’Université de Saint-Boniface — who are calling for fair wages, a reasonable workload, and a stronger voice in institutional decisions — are essential to the future of French-language education in our province. If we have any interest in making Manitoba a truly bilingual province, supporting professors’ demands is not only just, but necessary.

Elizabeth Nacorda

Winnipeg

Occupational hazards

Re: Man beaten while trying to steal a car sues staff of grocery store (Aug. 29)

Why is Michael Prince forced to hire a lawyer out of his own pocket in order to sue the grocery store?

Why doesn’t he just submit a claim the the Workers Compensation Board for injuries sustained during the performance of his usual employ?

Yours sarcastically,

Francis Newman

Winnipeg