Letters, Dec. 17

A health-care proposal

Re: Virtual medical ward may be just what the doctor ordered (Dec. 9)

In his column, Tom Brodbeck takes a realistic look at the government’s latest idea to reduce the dangerous overcrowding of our ER departments.

The idea is promising for patients well enough to recover at home, with help from paramedics, opening up patient beds for those seriously requiring hospital care. Sadly, many hospital beds are used by elderly patients waiting for an opening in nursing homes. It does not help those whose health would qualify them, but who are unable to communicate with medical staff through Wi-Fi. However, even if it frees up some hospital beds, it’s worth consideration.

In Brodbeck’s NDP promise to ‘end hallway medicine’ rings hollow for neglected senior’s grieving family (Nov. 28), he expressed what all Manitobans already know. Contrary to the useless suggestion of the health minister, we do not need an investigation to tell us what we already know: that the obvious threat to patient safety is the staff shortage at the ER level.

It is striking that at this crucial time, with such a desperate need for ER doctors, there are numerous foreign health-care professionals in Winnipeg waiting as they attempt to be certified to practise here.

I personally know of two Ukrainian doctors, one of whom I support to allow him to study for the necessary exams and not have to work long hours at minimum wage to support his family. Here are two doctors anxious to work, who have received no assistance regarding information on necessary requirements to make that happen from the NDP government. What a colossal waste!

My associate and I have contacted the premier’s office and the health minister’s office, only to be totally ignored.

My suggestion is this: to overhaul the health-care system in Manitoba, there is a need for an independent committee of volunteers, devoid of bureaucrats and insurance interests.

The leader of this committee should be a business specialist excelling in administration, management and organization.

The leader’s assistant should be a financial specialist.

Committee members would be the stakeholders, i.e. doctors, nurses, technicians and all who add to the viability of the success of this proposal.

The number of stakeholders on the committee to be determined by the respective union/association votes.

The committee objective would be twofold.

One, to establish and make readily available a detailed curriculum that fast-tracks health-care professionals through the certification procedure and on to the hospital floor.

Two, have the stakeholders address the problems that exist at the ER level and have them develop a logical system that would ensure patient safety.

It is my sincere hope that these suggestions will be given careful consideration. Nothing else has worked.

Sherwood Pike

Winnipeg

Call for disqualification

Re: “The people’s will” (Letters, Dec. 16)

Many Canadians would agree with Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, that Prime Minister Mark Carney is manipulating his way to a majority.

Indeed, we do need the “will of the Canadian people to be respected.” Democracy looks like a joke when we see MP Michael Ma, who ran as a Conservative and was elected as a Conservative, walk away from the people of Markham Unionville, who voted him in. Ma should be disqualified for this.

Leslie Forgie

Winnipeg

Cultivating a better political culture

Re: Quest for viral soundbites drags question period into gutter (Dec. 12)

As a former member of the Manitoba legislature (Swan River, 1986-88), I share the concern noted in Tom Brodbeck’s column. The escalation of denigrating public discourse has a negative impact on institutions as well as the members who occupy it. “Vitriolic” interactions contribute to the loss of respect for the legislative process and lost opportunities for enhancing public services.

Elected members do indeed search for soundbites to connect with members of the public; this is one part of the electoral process. Do we relish “zingers” or do we demand thoughtful dialogue? Do we provide positive feedback for “zingers” or for “thoughtful proposals and respectful critiques?”

Though the article rightly focused specifically on the atmosphere in the legislature and the impact on democracy, it would be wrong to assume this is the only venue for democracy to be nurtured — or stifled. The proceedings in the legislature, particularly question period, receive most of the attention. Unfortunately, the good and honourable efforts of some members are more frequently lost because of the theatrics of question period. The loss of goodwill negatively impacts the work of committees and corrodes the notion of public service.

Citizens who are engaged and informed have the opportunity to hold elected members accountable. Those focusing solely on partisan political victory or dominance should hear the message that “this is not honourable public service.”

The Manitoba legislature is only one of the settings available for citizen participation. City and municipal councils, school boards and community interest groups also provide an important platform for representing diverse community interests. Diversity of thought will still exist in the latter areas, but the challenges posed by party affiliation are less prominent.

As citizens we can stand back and do nothing, or we can become engaged in even the smallest of ways. If we choose to be silent, the voices of the “small but loud” will dominate and the current downward trajectory will continue.

Former MLAs are but one of the groups committed to changing the tone of public discourse.

In 2006, an Act of the Manitoba Legislature established the Association of Former Manitoba Members of the Legislative Assembly, of which I am president. One of the stated objectives of the association is “to engage former members in non-partisan activities in support of parliamentary democracy in Manitoba and beyond.”

The association is in the process of engaging with former members, interested individuals and community groups to advance the “democracy initiative.” More information can be found at formermlasmb.ca.

For those who are discouraged by the tenor of “debate” in the legislature, please take the opportunity to listen to the thoughtful exchanges by young participants in Manitoba Youth Parliament, scheduled for Dec. 26-31, as well as participants in the Winnipeg Rotary Club’s Model United Nations Assembly (May 1-2, 2026). Both of these events can do much to restore our faith that thoughtful and respectful dialogue is present in our community.

Leonard Harapiak

Winnipeg

Time for Cheveldayoff to go

So tell me, how can a team — the Winnipeg Jets — go from top to almost the bottom in one year? How come every Jets fan knows that the problem is general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff? He has been at the helm for 14 years and his record is not that good — maybe a C- average. He signs these aging players who are only here for the short term when he should be thinking long-term and bringing up his young prospects, including forwards Nikita Chibrikov, Parker Ford and Brad Lambert, which should have been our fourth line this year.

You have to have a balance of youth and veterans. These young players are not going to get better playing in the AHL, they need NHL experience to grow. You are robbing them of NHL experience by bringing these aging players in. I know sometimes the coach is to blame but not Scott Arniel — he can only work with what he is given.

Cheveldayoff had his chance last season to make a real run for the cup but failed to make the right moves, for instance picking up a player like Ryan Reaves. He would have protected our star players.

It’s time for change. Cheveldayoff must resign or Mark Chipman should let him go.

Roland Monkman

Selkirk