Letters, Oct. 21

Squirrel strategy

Instead of using poisonous slow-acting gas to kill the ground squirrels, why not use contraceptives combined with feed?

I have heard of other cities effectively implementing this method. It would take a little longer but it would be a humane alternative.

Marie Carrington

Winnipeg

Simple solution

Re: ‘Just show me, how can I do this?’ (Sept. 17)

There are a host of health-care professionals, doctors, nurses, technicians presently living in Winnipeg, all of them endeavouring to get certified/licensed so they can practice their profession here in Manitoba and Winnipeg.

There is no syllabus, program, or road map provided for these aspiring professionals to follow.

Myself and other concerned people have contacted the premier’s office, the health minister’s office, the College of Physicians and Surgeons, St. Boniface Hospital and the University of Manitoba for some helpful guidance for these health-care workers, all to no avail.

In September the Free Press ran a story on Dr. Mohamed Elgadi, a Ukrainian War refugee, who was a practicing doctor in the Ukraine when he came with his family to Canada. The headline reads ‘Just show me, how can I do this?’ — as in, succeed at becoming a doctor here in Manitoba.

In my mind the answer is simple. The Manitoba government has to discard all the old legislation that discouraged health-care professionals from moving interprovincially and immediately develop a program which provides encouragement, leadership and financial assistance to those professionals who want to practice here in Manitoba.

Woody Pike

Winnipeg

Strained system

I am sure that most people agree that repeat offenders should not get bail easily. The question is, where will we keep them?

As far as I know all of our jails are at or over capacity. Will we need to spend tens of millions to build new facilities? Probably.

Karl Lang

Navin

There’s no question people are tired of seeing repeat offenders arrested one week and back on the streets the next. Politicians across the country, at every level, are promoting bail reform as if it’s the silver bullet that will fix everything.

I don’t believe it is, and if we’re not careful, it will turn into a shell game, moving people and responsibility around without actually making our communities any safer. It took us time to get into this mess and it’s going to take time and investment to fix it .

Bail reform is not a bad thing, but it doesn’t mean much if the rest of the system can’t keep up. We can tighten release conditions all we want, but if there aren’t enough prosecutors to handle hearings, or officers to follow up on breaches, nothing really changes. Without investment in mental health, addictions and homelessness, it continues to be a revolving door and we just prolong outcomes.

The problem just shifts from the street to the courthouse, then to the remand center and back again.

Real community safety doesn’t come from one piece of legislation. It comes from a system that works from start to finish. That means faster court processes, enough staff to enforce conditions, treatment and support for those who can be rehabilitated, and detention for those who can’t be trusted in society. Everyone needs to start looking at a more integrated and layered approach to community safety.

Every part of this system has to carry its own weight. Otherwise, we’re just shuffling the same people between police, courts, and corrections and calling it progress.

Bail reform can be part of the solution, but it’s not the whole solution.

Marc Robichaud

Winnipeg

Right idea, wrong spot

The pedestrian-only corridor on Graham Avenue was a great idea, but it flopped because the wrong stretch of Graham was selected. There are next to no street-facing restaurants or shops in that stretch (I count just two: Tavern United and Rudy’s Eat & Drink) — ergo, nothing to draw foot traffic.

As a downtown resident who loves the idea of a pedestrian corridor, I hope we take another stab at this project, but be a bit more strategic about the location. This time, block off Graham between Vaughan and Edmonton, as well as Kennedy between Portage and St. Mary.

By my count, this stretch alone has four restaurants, three cafés, seven retail stores, six salons and spas, and several other street-facing amenities, with many more on the surrounding streets. Put a community stage in the centre of the Graham/Kennedy intersection, let the arts community do their thing, and folks will come for the live music and stay for the coffee and food.

The businesses which are struggling after the bus rerouting will be revived, and by all likelihood the increased foot traffic will attract new ventures into the vacant storefronts. The vibrant downtown we’re all wishing for is within reach, we just need to rearrange the puzzle pieces a little bit.

Samantha Klassen

Winnipeg

Covering transit costs

The first thing to do to reduce the cost to the city for transit: do not allow riders on without paying. Some safety patrols are enforcing this, but it’s supposed to be the job of the driver. If the protection barrier prevents drivers from enforcing the rules, then take them down.

Second is the fare structure. When I was a child there was a fare for children, another for teenagers (youth), another for adults, and another for seniors. For some reason, children are now allowed to ride for free. Bring back that fee.

Since the 1970s, city councillors have pointed out ridership declines every time fares increase. So stop increasing fares. Fare for an adult is $3.35! Fares have to come down. Don’t ask for subsidies from other levels of government, because there is only one taxpayer.

One thing is to reduce fare for cash to equal the price of Peggo or paper tickets.

Make full fare $2.50, youth and seniors $2, and children $1. Adjust passes accordingly.

Robert Dyck

Winnipeg

Beware of scam

I received a text claiming I had an outstanding speeding ticket. The source of the text was from a 250 area code and in the text information, Manitoba was spelled incorrectly.

Red flag.

To be sure, I called Manitoba Justice and talked to a very helpful operator. She searched the licence plates, my driver’s licence and everything was clear, no outstanding anything.

Manitoba Justice does not send texts.

Hopefully this note can help others to be cautious and to read texts carefully.

Jan Bones

Winnipeg

CFL not broken

It is not easy living next door to America. Their culture infiltrates every aspect of our society, including the CFL!

Proposed changes would pull us ever closer to playing four-down football. We have been down this road before when then-commissioner Larry Smith expanded the “Canadian” league south of the border. Thankfully, it was a dismal failure. He was banished to the inner sanctum of the Senate to live out his days in obscurity.

At age 88, I have experienced countless football games, (CFL, university and junior) with remarkable touchdowns, unbelievable big plays and hysterical fan support. Unfortunately, junior and university levels do not get much exposure from the Canadian media, while American college games saturate the airwaves. The American way is not the way to enhance our game. The influx of castoff American players from the NFL has forced so many Canadian athletes to forgo their dreams of ever playing football in their own country.

The CFL is not broken, but is lacking self confidence within its egotistical administration. If other Canadian sports can succeed, like soccer and rugby, why not the CFL?

If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it. Elbows up.

Bob Funk

MacDowall, Sask.