Letters, Oct. 24

We must co-exist with ground squirrels

Re: “Tired of ground squirrels” (Letters, Oct. 22)

There’s no question that the holes created by ground squirrels are hazardous to people, and I understand residents’ frustration. However, statements like “I have no problem gassing the suckers” are callous and uncalled for.

Ground squirrels dig holes because they naturally live in underground burrow communities; they aren’t doing it to be pestilent or destructive. Humans must learn to coexist with the creatures who share our communities, not attempt to eradicate them for daring to exist.

Recognizing this, the province rejected the city’s plan in the spring to gas the squirrels and has remained firm in its stance. Not only was this the compassionate choice given the long and excruciating death the “Giant Destroyer” gas bombs can visit upon the animals, but it was the strategic choice — as experts have pointed out, the city’s proposed approach was not bound to be very effective.

Better and more humane alternatives have been identified to deal with the holes and the province has advised the city to consider them. The two levels of government must work together to come up with an appropriate long-term strategy to prevent overpopulation of squirrels in problematic areas.

Tracy Groenewegen

Winnipeg

Appreciation for firefighters

Re: It’s time to modernize Manitoba’s addiction laws (Think Tank, Oct. 23)

Nick Kasper is so right. And many thanks to all members of the United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg! My family has been beneficiaries of their dedicated and life-saving work.

Kasper is right about the toll on so many families of all levels all over the city who struggle with the effects of this addiction crisis. Bill 48 is one correct step to take. More is needed to effectively deal with current needs in our community.

I hope more citizens let the UFFW members know of their gratitude for their services and the tremendous emotional effort they make to continue their work. A simple thanks seems like not enough to give them.

Sharon Peichl

Winnipeg

Don’t cut foreign aid

In his address to the nation on Oct. 22, Prime Minister Mark Carney said he would cut wasteful spending and make unprecedented investments in Canada.

We should all be clear that that cuts to foreign aid, that may be implemented, in fact are wasteful. Diseases like AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria still kill millions of people every year, while nearly three-quarters of a billion people face hunger very day.

When other countries pull back, Canada still has an opportunity — and I would say responsibility — to lead the way and reaffirm its global commitments. Maintaining our aid should help to attract new trade partners, create regional stability where flareups may further erode the promise of democracy, and ensure health systems are prepared for future outbreaks.

In the long term, we may hope to attract the brightest minds to Canada.

Randy Rudolph

Calgary, Alta.

Not getting our money’s worth

Canada’s federal programs continue to struggle with something as basic as defining income.

During the pandemic, thousands of CERB recipients were told to repay benefits as a consequence of the government’s vague definition of income. The government subsequently changed the definition, which resulted in Canada Revenue Agency paying out $246 million that was never intended to be a benefit.

More recently, the Canadian Dental Care Plan misclassified income for over 70,000 applicants, resulting in payments being made to ineligible individuals — again, effectively giving away public money.

If departments can’t define income reliably, one might expect them to consult the Canada Revenue Agency. But that’s no guarantee of clarity either — according to the auditor general, CRA call centre agents gave incorrect or incomplete answers 83 per cent of the time.

From relief programs to health benefits to the CRA itself, systemic dysfunction is entrenched across federal departments.

According to the parliamentary budget officer, the average compensation for a full-time federal employee is $125,300. Taxpayers are footing the bill for premium performance but getting bureaucratic incompetence and fiscal carelessness.

Brian McAughey

Winnipeg

Bad look for federal Tories

Re: Poilievre faces calls to apologize to RCMP (Oct. 21)

I’m glad that Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is getting pushback for his comments regarding the RCMP. To accuse them of covering up for former prime minister Justin Trudeau is ridiculous.

Of course, now he says it was directed at the former RCMP commissioner — a woman, go figure. Poilievre also says that Trudeau should have been jailed. Elizabeth May (who is a lawyer) said there was no criminal offence by Trudeau.

Why is Poilievre fixated on Trudeau? This is a terrible look for the Conservatives and their leader.

Leanne Hanuschuk

Winnipeg

Out and about

Re: “Not a fan of community mailboxes” (Letters, Oct. 22)

A number of years ago my area of the city was switched to community mailboxes, which meant walking for a block to access our mail. At first I was disappointed as seeing what was in my mailbox was always a highlight. Today I am thankful. It gets me out of the house and walking!

Being a purpose-driven person, I need a reason for doing what I do. I know, exercise is beneficial to our bodies, but we don‘t always see immediate results. The community mailbox was my incentive and continues to be so. I walked even during the strike as it has become habitual.

Soon I will put cleats on my boots and bravely weather the ice and snow. Cheers for community mailboxes!

Elfrieda Neufeld Schroeder

Winnipeg

Don’t need all the extras

Re: An opportunity — if Canada Post chooses to take it (Think Tank, Oct. 20)

Brent Bellamy’s op-ed is interesting. On the surface, it seems desirable to have the new post boxes designed with amenities that add to inner-city neighbourhoods. Sure, let’s add benches and maybe a fountain or some artwork. After all, Canada Post will be “saving” money as a result of this change, says Bellamy.

Oh, wait a minute! This isn’t a “savings” at all! It is a reduction in the amount of money taxpayers will need to fork to subsidize Canada Post and Bellamy’s proposal amounts to creating a pork barrel using taxpayers’ money to fund some artsy dreams. Sorry, no thanks!

Further, one only has to look at what is happening in inner-city bus shelters to realize who will be occupying those delightful benches next to the post boxes. It will be panhandlers hassling the folks picking up their mail, and perhaps more aggressively relieving them of their belongings.

Just give me a well-lit facility with safe access and a garbage disposal bin for all the flyers that I routinely throw away. I don’t want or need all the accoutrements that Bellamy is peddling.

Tom Pearson

Winnipeg