Letters, Sept. 24

Opinion

Changing the CFL

Re: CFL changes met with shock (Sept. 23)

A brief reflection on the proposed CFL rule changes.

Fifty-one years ago, we immigrated to Canada following up on a job offer and have stayed. I love Canada. But I have always been befuddled about Canadian football. See, in my hometown in central Kansas, population 2,700, the local high school football games draw more fans in the stands than the University of Manitoba does.

And to watch CFL games with half-empty stands, with the exception of games in Winnipeg and Regina, has always been a “head-scratcher” for me. Why? How can that even be? In Kansas and every other state, football games from high school to university and the pro games are almost always sold out and some have been sold out for decades already.

My armchair analysis is Canadian football needs a heavy revamp, especially the CFL, or it will continue to fade away from lack of interest.

Ken Reddig

Pinawa

I am disturbed by the proposed CFL rule changes. At a time when many Canadians are upset with the American government, it seems ridiculous to change the CFL to NFL North.

The goal of Stewart Johnston is obvious. He wants to convert the Canadian game to a 4 down, 11 man team entity, with the ultimate aim of creating NFL North America, with American owners calling the shots by the way.

The NFL would love to get its hands on a Toronto franchise and southern Ontario money.

It is darkly humorous that a time when Canadians are saying “ Elbows Up”, we are meekly transforming the CFL into the northern branch plant of the NFL.

Kurt Clyde

Winnipeg

I’ve been a CFL and Blue Bombers fan since the Kenny Plain and Bud Grant era. Some of the changes proposed for the game make no sense to me at all.

Reducing the field to 100 yards and shortening the end zone will result in more field goal attempts instead of touchdowns. Having only three downs compared to the NFL has always made our game more explosive and the offense willing to take chances. It’ll be interesting to see after the first year what the total number of touchdowns will be compared to the average number per year beforehand. I am against these kind of changes.

The CFL should concentrate on getting the 10th team in the Maritimes. That would add an exciting new perspective.

Volker Beckmann

Thompson

Tipping point

Re: Restaurants struggle as more Canadians look for value, dine out less: report (Sept. 22)

Is anyone really surprised that sit-down restaurants (not fast-food restaurants) are struggling right now?

A relative of mine very recently sat down to eat in a local Italian restaurant and a small plate of pasta was $28 plus tax.

I was sent a picture of the plate before it was eaten, and it did look good, but the portion was smallish and when my family member got home I asked what the price was and was told to guess. Based on the portion size I said $16, and was shocked to hear $28.

Now couple the high cost of meals in a restaurant with the fact that they expect you to leave a large tip, as some restaurants do not even give you the option of no tip. This makes dining out unaffordable to a lot of regular people. Now if there was a policy that there was no tipping, that would make a difference to many people I think.

Servers are getting paid an hourly wage which is usually minimum wage, so I do not know why it is expected to have to tip in this industry when another person who makes minimum wage in another industry, like retail, does not get tips.

Why do we feel we have to tip in the restaurant industry but not other industries? Are they not worthy of a tip also?

The restaurant industry should not be surprised it is struggling. If they want to survive a good start would be have a no-tip policy, don’t you think?

Ron Robert

Winnipeg

Proud of Canada

Re: Canada officially recognizes Palestinian state (Sept. 22)

I write with pride and gratitude to applaud Prime Minister Mark Carney and the Government of Canada for taking a courageous and moral step in recognizing the state of Palestine.

For far too long, the voices calling for justice and peace in the Middle East have been drowned out by fear, cynicism, and deliberate misinformation. Some claim this recognition is premature, or worse, that it rewards Hamas. Nothing could be further from the truth. Recognition was necessary long before Oct. 7 — and it is even more urgent today. But it must also come with clarity: the release of all hostages and the disarmament of Hamas are essential, and Hamas can have no place in a future Palestinian government.

This decision is not about rewarding violence; it is about affirming the universal right of a people to self-determination. It is about declaring that peace cannot exist without justice, and that the only viable path forward is two states — Palestine and Israel — living side by side in security, dignity, and peace.

Canada has taken a bold stand for what is just and right. Yet recognition alone is not enough. Canada — and the global community — must act to ensure that Palestine is not merely a symbol, but a living reality: a state where its people can thrive in freedom, safety, and hope, contributing to a future of shared peace for both nations.

Today, I stand as a proud Canadian, inspired by my country’s willingness to embrace justice, humanity, and peace.

Ab Freig

Winnipeg

The new religion

Re: Kirk a ‘martyr’ for freedom, Trump says (Sept. 22); ‘Rules for thee, not for me’ in America (Editorial, Sept 22)

There’s a new religion on planet Earth. It’s called Trumpism.

Your editorial begins with this: “First they came for the student activists and then they came for the migrants and now they come for the late-night TV talk hosts. Who’s next?”

The reference of the Free Press to the Third Reich is appropriate. I may be biased, but in my opinion, Winnipeg’s Free Press is the greatest news organization on planet Earth. Keep up the good work folks!

Rich North

Winnipeg

Return honours, make a statement

Re: Canada officially recognizes Palestinian state (Sept. 22)

With regard to Prime Minister Mark Carney’s decision to recognize a Palestinian state without debate in Parliament and appropriate consultation with Canadians, I think it would be a good idea for Jewish Canadians, or any like-minded, supportive Canadians, to return their Orders of Canada. This would show the government that they do not appear to represent Canadians as they purport to do and that the process, as well as the result is seriously flawed.

Consideration could also be given to returning the King Charles III medals, as he is the head of our government.

Ian J. Goldstine

Winnipeg

Too much death to cover

Every day in somewhere in America people are shot and killed, so I found it odd that for the last week broadcast and print media have disproportionately been covering the killing of someone who I had never heard of before his death. How is this any different than the daily shootings that I never hear about?

The sad truth is that there wouldn’t be enough air time to cover all the shooting deaths to the extent that this one is. The unreported ones are no less tragic or devastating, but for some odd reason far less “fit to print”!

Leo Nijssen

Grandview