Letters, Feb. 19

Canada’s responsibility

Re: With new American pressure, will Cuba fall? (Think Tank, Feb. 18); Cubans caught in humanitarian crisis (Feb. 18)

Wednesday’s paper had two quite different articles about Cuba, due to one being written by a Canadian professor (Peter McKenna) and the other being a Miami Herald article.

The Canadian article describes Cuba’s outstanding success in overcoming decades of American embargo and asserts that Trump would not likely run the risk of “overextending U.S. naval assets” if he initiates another act of violation of international law. Despite this he also concludes that “oil-rich Canada, especially under the leadership of Prime Minister Mark Carney, is not going to come to Cuba’s rescue.” Leaving me to ask: if not us, who? We do have the oil and a law — the Foreign Extraterritorial Measures Act — which was specifically passed in response to the U.S. embargo on Cuba, and which protects Canadian companies who defy the blockade.

By contrast the Herald article reads like a cheap piece of propaganda, of which there is no shortage in the U.S., of anti-Cuban sentiment. Flying in the face of all evidence they assert that the economic crisis in Cuba is “largely resulted from the failure of the socialist economic model,” goes on to talk about Cuba’s military policies and grudgingly admits that Trump’s sanctions also “played a part.” I would like to ask the Free Press not to print these propaganda pieces without a disclaimer. “Warning: the statements in this article are misleading and carry an agenda to disable and exploit a free and struggling country.”

Interestingly, the Miami Herald article concludes by saying Anita Anand would not “speak out against Washington or offer fuel or humanitarian aid.” Clearly even the Herald is aware that Canadians want to help instead of further harm Cuba, whether or not Carney or Anand see it that way.

Looks like it is up to us to pressure Carney and Anand to do the right thing. After the famous Davos speech, you would think Carney would consider acting independently!

Gloria Enns

Winnipeg

Farewell to the Oakwood

Re: ‘Neighbourhood staple’ Oakwood Cafe to shutter (Feb. 17)

I’m truly sorry to hear the Oakwood has been forced to shut its doors as it’s been a staple in the South Osborne community for many a year.

When I became a resident of the neighbourhood many a year ago, the strip bore little resemblance to the vibrant area it is now and the Oakwood was one of the first signs of its renewal. Much has followed since then but it had to begin somewhere and this small business played a significant role in making it all possible.

We’re going to miss you.

Dan Donahue

Winnipeg

Thirty years of being a neighbourhood café is no small achievement. Yes it’s “just” a café, but truly it is much more than that! The Oakwood Cafe is in a part of Winnipeg filled with seniors and the elderly. The Oakwood is their version of Cheers. You want to go where at least someone knows your name. Someone looks out for you. Someone knows your favourite menu selection.

Sure the glamour chain restaurants have their place but they are “the place” you go for comfort and care. Having mentioned seniors I want to add that other neighbourhood groups (like Riverview Hospital staff, school teacher groups, book clubs, and the Saturday morning young folk) come to this community hub. I knew of one person who would have said that the Oakwood saved her life. When she was dealing with loss and depression she went twice a week to hold onto hope and to eat, and to be “seen” with a smile and laughter.

I think a place like the Oakwood needs a grant from our provincial government because it is a social service, it is health care support.

Loneliness is an epidemic in our crowded world. Sometimes we do not need a psychiatric diagnosis, sometime all we need is come in, sit down and feel that we are being fed in body, mind and soul.

Karen E. Toole

Winnipeg

Safety paramount for workers

Re: Hydro building’s lockdown leaves restaurants hungry for customers (Feb. 13)

As president of the union representing the workers inside those Hydro buildings, CUPE 998, let me be clear: our members are not a stimulus package. They are workers.

Our members’ first responsibility is to get to work safely and to return home safely. That is not negotiable. When buildings are placed under lockdown or security restrictions are tightened, it is not a lifestyle choice. It is not a boycott. It is not an economic strategy. It is a response to safety concerns.

“Safety before sandwiches” may sound simple, but it captures the reality we are facing. The expectation that workers should shoulder personal risk to sustain surrounding businesses misses the point. Workplace safety cannot be balanced against lunch-hour revenue.

If we want thriving downtown businesses, the solution lies in safe, stable workplaces and thoughtful public policy. Manitoba Hydro is working on just that, and we look forward to being back in the lunch line as soon as possible.

Michelle Bergen

Winnipeg

Concerned about aquifer

Re: U of M partners with firm behind proposed sand mine to study Manitoba groundwater (Feb. 14)

Sio Silica/Simba continues its failure to provide evidence that it can mitigate impacts to Manitoba’s pristine aquifer system from its mining.

Some of these impacts include collapse of the protective shale aquitard, which separates the two main aquifers and serves to preserve water quality and separate hydraulic pressures and chemistry. Fractured limestone from the overlying aquifer, follows. Oxidizing conditions created by the mining method mobilizes contaminates i.e. selenium, arsenic, uranium, in the drinking water that over 100,000 Manitobans depend on.

Use of experimental technology to monitor “flow and storage of underground water resources” rings hollow, since the mined water is returned to the aquifer. It also does not mitigate irreversible impacts on the aquifer system. So why take “interest” and spend millions on the University of Manitoba’s research?

According to the article, by sharing “data from its mine site with the university to help model and understand the aquifer as a complete system” — rather than intact aquifer data — the aquifer could be redefined into one where impacts from mining are considered the norm and acceptable.

The aquifer is too precious for such “rigging.” To protect the life-sustaining aquifer system, our Kinew government must once again deny licensing.

Tangi Bell

Anola

Standing together

The tragedy at Tumbler Ridge last week in Canada is one of the most heartbreaking events the country has faced in decades. Innocent lives were lost, and sorrow filled the eyes of an entire nation.

In moments like these, when a country mourns together, we see something profoundly powerful — leaders, regardless of their beliefs or political differences, standing side by side in unity. In the face of grief, divisions fade, and what remains is our shared humanity.

When a nation stands together, sharing pain and honouring those lost, it reflects the true spirit of Canada — compassion, resilience, and deep patriotism.

It brought tears to my eyes and reminded me how precious life is, and how important it is to stand together in times of sorrow.

Yog Rahi Gupta

Winnipeg