Letters, Jan. 28

Safety issue

Re: Another hospital, another grey-list vote (Jan. 27)

The safety of staff working in medical facilities is so disturbing. I cannot imagine having to work in an environment where not only am I exhausted from the work and hours I put in, but also having to live in fear for my safety.

I found the interventions to alleviate the dangers to be helpful but I am not sure on why the article did not go on to name what other interventions are recommended. Surely the nurses union, Doctors Manitoba, etc. have recommendations that should be included in the report.

What needs to happen to make staff feel safe?

Val Kellberg

Winnipeg

Sympathy for Minnesota

To our dear friends in Minnesota,

After watching what is going on just south of Winnipeg, across the border, I simply want to pass on my sympathy to all of you that are going through this terrible time in Minnesota and Minneapolis in particular.

I also want to express my admiration to you for how you have all stood up for your fellow man, no matter what their background and ethnicity. Coming from Winnipeg, our winter experience with the cold is not that much different than Minnesota’s. To demonstrate day after day in weather like we are both experiencing now in nothing short of heroic. To control your temptation to turn to violence in face of such cruelty by others shows your true inner strength.

I hope that if, God forbid, we are ever tested like you have been, we can follow your role model and stand up for what is right.

Keep up the good fight.

Tom P. Scott

Winnipeg

History of warfare

Re: Carney, ministers defend Canadians’ Afghanistan role (Jan. 26)

U.S. President Donald Trump’s inaccurate and insulting remarks about the role NATO troops played in Afghanistan have rightly been strongly rebuked by Canada and other nations. This from a man who “avoided” the Vietnam war with “bone spurs,” and, in his first term, wondered why anyone would volunteer to go to war.

In the article, Prime Minister Mark Carney noted the soldiers and diplomat who lost their lives during the conflict, as well as “that 30 Canadian soldiers were awarded the U.S. Bronze Star Medal for bravery.”

It may be a myth, but up to now, it has been expected that world leaders are at least moderately informed about history, and their nations’ role. Perhaps a brief check of the dates to the two world wars would clarify that they are 1914-18 (First World War) and 1939-45 (Second World War) for the Allies, and 1917-18 (First World War) and 1941-45 (Second World War) for the U.S. Canada’s percentage of lost lives is higher than the U.S. in both conflicts.

To be fair, when the U.S. arrived, they made great sacrifices and helped turn the tide. Trump, however, continues to actively lower trust in, and the status of, that once proud, respected nation.

Dan Furlan

Winnipeg

Who has politicians’ attention?

Re: Playing the influence game (Jan. 24)

I read with great interest your article on lobbying. I am not a lobbyist but a concerned citizen. I have never been a card carrying member of any political party. Over my 91 years, a sample of my letter writing to politicians includes the following: four prime ministers, two senators, Manitoba premiers and provincial party leaders from three parties, MPs from three provinces with many letters to Manitoba MPs and MLAs.

Sometimes I get a personal answer, on occasion even a phone call. Much more often, I get a form letter, and too many times no answer at all. Like lobbyists, my goal has been “to influence the development, amendment or termination of a program or policy.” My major focus has been on promoting the rights of Indigenous people and people with disabilities. With my academic background I tend to highlight the most recent research findings of which I am aware on these topics.

I note that lobbyists are not required to report any outcomes. However, they obviously must think their efforts are worth the enormous financial resources they commit to the process.

Have I wasted my time as a private citizen? I don’t think so. However, I would love to see a followup Free Press report on your assessment of the relative impact of private citizen letters to politicians. How frequently do average citizens write to their politicians? Do you have any insights on what weight our letters carry in relation to efforts from lobbyists?

Raymond F. Currie

Winnipeg

What NATO does

The association I represent — I am president and CEO of Army, Navy & Air Force Veterans in Canada Dominion Command — is strictly apolitical. Our only mission is to advocate for Canadian veterans, their families, and serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Recent comments suggesting that NATO “does nothing” for the United States, and that NATO members stayed “behind the lines” in Afghanistan, require correction.

NATO has invoked Article 5 only once — on Sept. 11, 2001 — when all allies stood with the United States after the terrorist attacks. Canada responded immediately, welcoming diverted flights to Gander, N.L., and supporting thousands of stranded passengers with compassion and pride.

From 2002 to 2014, more than 40,000 Canadian Armed Forces members served in Afghanistan, primarily in Kabul and Kandahar. In that conflict, 158 Canadians lost their lives, and many others returned with life-altering injuries. Their missions included improving security, supporting governance, and helping Afghan girls return to school. These were front line operations, carried out with courage and professionalism.

For decades, Canadian and American forces have trained and deployed together. The U.S. veterans I’ve met understand and respect Canada’s contributions. I hope those who served continue to speak the truth about the sacrifices made — shoulder to shoulder — when America needed its allies most.

A.R.Dunham

Ottawa, Ont.

On high costs

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is blaming the Liberal government for the high cost of groceries. The government can remove all the taxes they want on fuel, plastics, and so on, but this will not lower the price of groceries.

Each year, grocery chains report record profits, yet they keep raising prices and telling us it is because of the same things Poilievre is citing. Remember when the government dropped the fuel tax? Fuel did not decrease in price. Corporations simply raised the price by the amount the government lowered the price to get more profits.

It is corporate greed driving the increases and they love that they have all these excuses to do so. Maybe Poilievre can call up the heads of corporations and tell them they should stop being so greedy!

Oh wait, that won’t happen, as they are the people who elect him.

Stewart Jacques

Winnipeg

Who does Trump think he is?

Last time I looked, no one in Canada voted for Donald Trump, so what makes him think he has the right to dictate who we deal with? He has no jurisdiction here.

When was the last time this delusional tyrant/bully has had a mental health exam by someone not afraid to tell the truth?

Brenda Boss

Winnipeg