Letters, Dec. 3

Alternate employment

Re: Algoma Steel to lay off 1,000 workers in coming months, union says (Dec. 1)

Algoma Steel has just announced it has to lay off a large percentage of its workforce. I suggest that, instead of these folks sitting at home waiting for an upturn in the steel business, the government should offer them training in wildfire fighting. This would keep them employed through the winter and, probably, until the wildfire season winds down in the fall. At that point they would be qualified to train others.

These are people who already have intimate acquaintance with intense heat and a healthy respect for it. After a full winter of training they would be able to walk into a fire scene and take charge, as well as fighting on the line. Every summer we have a shortage of trained firefighters, what better workforce to draw upon than these folks?

Geoff Ireland

Winnipeg

Feeling betrayed

Re: Carney tries to be slick but pipeline games won’t end well (Dec. 1); Mark Carney: undoing Trudeau’s legacy (Think Tank, Nov. 29)

In Saturday’s paper, David McLaughlin’s op-ed celebrated Mark Carney’s dismantling of the previous Liberal government’s environmental policies. Niigaan Sinclair’s Monday op-ed was a welcome rebuttal, whether it was intended as such or not.

Carney negotiated his memorandum of understanding with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith without even consulting the government of British Columbia or the First Nations of that province. In that, he is like Trump negotiating a sham peace treaty with Putin without consulting Ukraine.

Many Canadians who care about social and climate justice held our noses and voted for Carney because he was better than Conservative Leader Pierre Poilièvre. Now, many of us feel betrayed. Carney may be more urbane and refined than Poilièvre, but his policies seem to be almost the same.

Charles Kroeker

Winnipeg

China’s pace not so quick

Re: “Carney’s error” (Letters, Dec. 1)

Letter writer Esther Redekopp criticizes Prime Minister Mark Carney’s climate policies and alleges that China is at the forefront of economies around the world “abandoning fossil fuels in favour of clean energy at breakneck speed.”

China built over 100 new coal-fired power plants in 2022. In 2024, China had its highest level of construction of new coal-fired power plants in the previous decade according to two think tanks (the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, and the Global Energy Monitor). Assuming these hundreds of new plants have a life expectancy of about 50 years, they will be operating well into the 2070s. That is hardly moving at breakneck speed towards clean energy.

Despite many other fiscal challenges, Carney appears to be trying to maintain a viable economy in Canada while transitioning to more renewable energy over time. He may or may not be successful in finding a reasonable balance.

But climate activists who portray China as a positive role model for addressing climate change do great damage to our ability to have a rational discussion of the issues.

Robert Pruden

Winnipeg

Principled actions

Re: Steven Guilbeault quits Carney’s cabinet to protest pipeline deal (Nov. 27)

I was pleased to learn that some MPs stand up for their principles rather than holding the party line. Former cabinet minister Steven Guilbeault did this recently to demonstrate his commitment to the environment.

I understand that the country needs strong action to mitigate the effect of tariffs on the Canadian economy, but this is too high a price to pay. I feel that more should be done to lower the amount of CO2 in the environment. Instead of spending billions on a pipeline, it would be better spent on renewable energy projects.

Leon Clegg

Lac du Bonnet

Senator experienced

Re: Senator predicts court challenge for detox centre (Nov. 30)

Let me say to the provincial government and all those involved with the new detox centre being opened in South Point Douglas; if Sen. Kim Pate is offering advice based on her unparalleled experience working with marginalized and incarcerated individuals, it’s time to listen. And if she says the proposed program is rife for a Charter challenge, she is very likely right.

I can’t think of anyone with more first-hand knowledge of those living at the intersection of criminalization and addictions. Pate, who I had the privilege of meeting several times when I worked with the John Howard Society of Manitoba has “been there, done that” more times than anyone can count.

While at John Howard, I was directly involved in creating new programs to address mental health and addictions needs, and it’s hard work. I will be the first to say we didn’t get everything right the first time; the success we did have in rolling out new and innovative programs was due to a willingness to listen to and learn from those directly impacted by our work and other professionals — something Pate has been doing for decades.

Premier Wab Kinew, Housing, Addictions and Homelessness Minister Bernadette Smith, and the good folks at Main Street Project, it’s not too late. Pick up the phone, apologize to the senator and urge her to come back to share her wisdom; it will only make your new initiative more successful.

John Hutton

St. Francois Xavier

What is a house worth?

Re: “The housing market predicament” (Letters, Dec. 1)

The letter from James Davidson describing bidding wars, offers well over list price and pressure to waive home inspections reflects what many buyers are feeling in Winnipeg’s current market.

Home inspections are indeed important to identify physical issues with a home. But they do not answer a separate, critical question: what is the property actually worth in today’s market? That is the role of an independent real estate appraisal.

In our current market, it has become common to list properties somewhat below or at the expected sale range that will hopefully generate multiple offers. As a result, a home selling for tens of thousands over the list price does not necessarily mean it sold for more than market value — it may simply reflect a marketing strategy rather than an outlier price. There are also numerous examples where only one or two offers were received with offers below the list price. Buyers are generally well informed, but an appraisal can offer additional peace of mind that their offer is in line with market evidence.

A qualified appraiser analyzes recent comparable sales, market trends and the specific characteristics of the property to provide an unbiased opinion of market value. This can help buyers understand whether offering above list is consistent with the market, or whether they are taking on more risk than they realize.

For buyers who need financing, it is also reasonable to ask their lender whether a full, on-site appraisal will be obtained to support the lending decision, and to understand the scope of that appraisal. For those purchasing without a lender ordered appraisal, engaging their own appraiser can provide another layer of due diligence, alongside a home inspection.

No single professional can remove all of the stress from today’s housing market, but combining sound advice from realtors, home inspectors and independent appraisers can help buyers make informed, sustainable decisions.

Deana Halladay

Winnipeg