Letters, Nov. 13

On board with rail proposal

Re: Commuter line proposed in rail relocation talks (Nov. 11)

I like the idea of building a commuter rail corridor between Winnipeg and Gimli. It makes sense in a lot of ways.

I’m thinking while they’re at it, how about expanding the corridor to accommodate bicycle traffic? Naturally there has to be a buffer between the trains and the bikers, however it’s doable if there’s the intent to do so.

The ride to Gimli is undertaken every year when the MS bike ride takes place in August. I’ve done it a couple times and it would be great to have the opportunity to do it whenever I please. I’m sure there are other bikers who feel the same.

Having Gimli and other little spots along the way could be a boost to the local economies. This bike path would also be a positive boost to people’s mental and physical health.

It’s a win-win for everyone. We should seize this opportunity while we can.

Lois Taylor

Winnipeg

Honouring all veterans

Re: A complicated campaign (Nov. 8)

I enjoyed the story by Ian Stewart. I was in attendance at the cathedral on Remembrance Sunday and participated in the service at the monument. I was very upset at the condition of the monument.

Is no one responsible for maintaining monuments in the city of Winnipeg? Where is Veteran Affairs when it comes to maintaining this precious reminder of our past? These men were sent by the Canadian government and were soldiers of said government. Why have they been forgotten?

Something is very wrong with this picture! I hope the Royal Winnipeg Rifles will start a campaign to have this monument restored in memory of these souls who were doing their job as Canadian soldiers.

The Manitoba government should also be involved in this process to remind us both sides were involved not just one side. How is it fair to glorify some but not others?

I hope by this summer attention will be given to this process and restoration will be completed.

Wayne Beatty

Winnipeg

Value of tenants

Re: Rent control loopholes must be dealt with (Think Tank, Nov. 10)

Politicians seem to forget that there are many more voting tenants than there are apartment businesses and condominium investors.

Tenants inject a lot of money into the community and the economy over a long period of time.

High density multiple unit residential buildings are much better for the environment than spread out, low-occupant housing.

If politicians neglect the all important rental populace, they will certainly alienate a great many people over a very long period of time.

Singles, couples, families with children, seniors, students, those with disabilities and those who prefer higher density living don’t appreciate or forget broken promises and dismissive attitudes.

Holly Bertram

Winnipeg

On self-righteousness

Years ago when my son was but three or four years old, he attended another child’s birthday party and within days came down with chicken pox.

What upset me most was the fact another parent took it upon themselves to decide “herd immunity” was in the best interest of the rest of us and knowingly exposed otherwise healthy kids to their infected child.

In other words, they decided to play God, while conveniently forgetting to inform other parents as to their decision with zero regard for the social contract we are best advised to honour.

The measles outbreaks are but another example of such self-absorbed righteousness.

People seem intent to refute the science with respect to vaccines for a host of reasons but are more than content to wheel their sick children into emergency wards when the disease presents itself in a life-threatening manner.

How many others are unwittingly being exposed to these decisions driven by faith, politics or self-professed expertise with respect to something the influencers know precious little about but have discovered the means to benefit by?

I dread to think what might lie ahead, a resurgence of polio? What will the vaccine deniers have to say about it?

I rather suspect they’ll reserve the right to abandon their part of the social contract until such time as they are forced to rely upon it and the efforts of those who fight to maintain and honour it.

Dan Donahue

Winnipeg

New system not great for all

Re: “Fan of new system” (Letters, Nov. 10)

I am pleased for Christine Hallick that the new Winnipeg Transit setup does such a good job getting her to and from the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre.

Ms. Hallick doesn’t mention the part of Winnipeg in which she lives, and although the new arrangement may work well for her, it is not the same for everyone.

I live in Osborne Village and I am also a subscriber to the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. Under the former system I was able to get a bus at River & Osborne that would transport me in one easy trip to the front door of the Centennial Concert Hall.

Now, under the new schedule I must take no fewer than three buses to get to the same destination, the first to Portage and Colony, a second to Portage and Main and a third to Main and Market.

Somehow this does not strike me as an improvement at all.

I rest my case.

Garfield McRae

Winnipeg

Let nurse practitioners fill system gaps

As we prepare to mark Nurse Practitioner Day on Nov. 18 and celebrate the health minister’s proclamation of NP Week in Manitoba, it is important to reflect on what this recognition truly means.

Nurse practitioners are autonomous, highly trained clinicians who provide comprehensive assessment, diagnosis, treatment and management for patients across all care settings. They have been an integral part of Manitoba’s health-care system for decades and today their role is more essential than ever.

Our province continues to face significant health-care access challenges. Across Manitoba, patients struggle to find consistent primary care, and rural and northern communities remain underserved. Nurse practitioners are ready to help close these gaps, but we need the system to support that readiness.

This means ensuring that alternative funding models are established to reflect the value, complexity and equivalence of care nurse practitioners provide. The federal health minister’s letter earlier this year affirmed that services delivered by nurse practitioners are recognized under the Canada Health Act.

Therefore, provinces have the flexibility and responsibility to compensate them accordingly. Aligning Manitoba’s payment structures with this interpretation would allow nurse practitioners to practice in more flexible and sustainable ways, better meeting patient and community needs while strengthening our health system overall.

Nurse practitioners know the communities they serve. We see the gaps and we can fill them.

As CEO of the Nurse Practitioner Association of Manitoba, I am proud of the leadership, commitment and compassion they bring to health care every day. But we need a co-ordinated strategy that allows us to fully contribute to Manitoba’s health-care future.

Recognizing nurse practitioners is a meaningful first step. Empowering them is what will make the real difference.

Ashley Carruthers

Winnipeg