Letters, Dec. 10

A generous history

Re: Finding hope and joy (Think Tank, Dec. 9)

Payam Towfigh’s article reminds us that Canada has in the past helped many immigrate to Canada, to their benefit and to the benefit of Canada.

Perhaps now is not the time for the Canadian government to place further constraints on refugees who want immigrate to Canada. We have a history of being generous and accepting. Let’s continue it.

Thank you for an excellent article.

Tom Pearson

Winnipeg

Clear reasons for Transit’s trouble

Re: Transit loses millions in revenue (Dec. 9)

After reading the article, I wasn’t surprised to learn that both ridership and revenue are down. What did surprise me was the claim that the service “doesn’t have clear data to determine the exact reasons why.”

For months now, riders have been vocal about the challenges created by the new routes and schedules. Many people now have to transfer when they once had a direct trip. Commute times have nearly doubled. And the timing of routes often does not line up with when people actually need to travel. It’s no surprise that many are turning to other options.

In my own family, the change has been significant. Last year, my son could take a single bus to school right from the stop at the end of our street. He arrived about 15 minutes before class and on the return trip got home at a reasonable time. Under the new schedule, if he wants to avoid multiple transfers, he has to leave nearly an hour before school starts, walk to a different stop, and arrive far too early. Coming home isn’t much better.

These aren’t minor inconveniences; they’re real barriers that discourage people from using transit. The concerns have been loud and consistent. The reasons behind declining ridership are not a mystery — they’ve been in plain sight all along.

Jonathan Steinfeld

Winnipeg

Further to the article on the decline in Transit readership. It now takes me three buses to travel from Norwood Flats to the downtown YMCA, a distance of four kilometres (routes 888, FX2, and finally the Blue Route).

This trip used to take 15 minutes from my closest bus stop to Portage Place and now it takes about 45 minutes. By comparison, it takes about 45 minutes to walk from my place to the YMCA, although that may be an unpleasant walk in winter.

On the journey home from the YMCA, I have to take two buses and still walk over one kilometre to get to my house. I don’t see any improvement in service.

Ed McKenna

Winnipeg

How could anyone have known that Transit ridership would go down that much?

The system was purportedly improved. Well, the answer to the problem is clear to anyone who even had a cursory look at the changes which were implemented.

The only people who benefited are the ones living on the spines of the system. Everyone else had their routes cancelled or lengthened to the point where it might take less time walking to where you are going. Bus stops in front of schools, hospitals and seniors residences were moved blocks away and buses were routed down residential streets not designed for bus traffic.

Probably the most egregious thing was that anyone who complained was dismissed as someone unable to understand or “get it.” So, what is the city going to do now after spending what I understand is a substantial amount money on intersections, new signage, and concrete bus pads? They made sure they can’t go back as well, dismantling bus shelters and existing bus pads.

So the result is more money wasted to “fix” a system that was working well. City councillors or transit officials, in any city, who don’t understand a transit system should be convenient over anything else should not be given the position to make those changes.

A bus that is “frequent” on the so-called spine is useless if it takes so long to get to it you are spending a long time to get there. Any city service, bylaw regulation and city department exists only to serve its citizens.

Sadly this council and administration seems to have lost sight of that.

Gilles Nicolas

Winnipeg

Another side to bus stop issue

Re: Bus stop change taking joy out of Christmas season for block of Academy Road businesses (Dec. 8)

I understand the concerns of the business owners mentioned in the article, such as Karleigh Evans. While I can see why they would be frustrated about seemingly losing customers due to the transit change, I believe the other side should have been highlighted as well. It has been proven over and over in other cities that when transit is properly funded, among other transportation measures, businesses actually get more customers.

I understand this is counterintuitive at first, but most people in a car are simply there to drive through, as opposed to transit users and pedestrians, who actually stop and enter the shops. Even if the business owners do lose some customers due to parking, they stand to have better business than before with this change.

As well, the article states that there are only 45 people who use the bus stop, but with properly supported transit, this number can grow exponentially, unlike the amount of parking space.

Kele Schreckenbach

Winnipeg

Time for supervised consumption site is now

Re: City program clears parks, green spaces of thousands of discarded needles, more than 150 weapons (Dec. 3)

The recent report of more than 6,000 needles and more than 170 weapons seized during a Winnipeg park sweep is a stark reminder of the escalating drug crisis in our city. These cleanups, while necessary, only highlight the lack of long-term solutions. Winnipeg urgently needs a supervised consumption site (SCS) to address the root causes of public drug use and the growing strain on emergency services.

Across Canada, supervised consumption sites have consistently shown that they reduce overdose deaths, limit the spread of disease, and significantly decrease needle debris in public spaces. They also ease pressure on paramedics, firefighters, and police by providing on-site monitoring that prevents overdoses before they become emergencies. In cities with SCS facilities, emergency services respond to fewer drug-related crises, allowing them to focus on other urgent community needs.

Winnipeg’s frontline responders are already stretched thin. Continuing to rely on reactive sweeps and constant emergency calls is neither sustainable nor effective. A supervised consumption site would offer a safer environment for residents, provide immediate medical oversight for people who use drugs, and create crucial pathways to treatment and social supports.

It is time for our civic and provincial leaders to prioritize evidence-based policy over political hesitation. Establishing a supervised consumption site is not about enabling drug use; it is about reducing harm, saving lives, and improving public safety for the entire community.

Rifat Rupok

Winnipeg