Letters, March 30

Balance in design

Re: The rush for Wellington bike lanes is misguided (Think Tank, March 26)

Bravo to John Youngman for saying something that many of us are thinking. I live on Wellington Crescent and regularly bike the area in the summertime. I also do not feel unsafe doing so.

Eliminating left-hand turns and removing two vehicle lanes on a major thoroughfare are not a minor adjustments — it fundamentally alters traffic flow. These changes risk increasing congestion, driver frustration and the likelihood of accidents, particularly during peak hours or in emergency situations where response time matters the most.

I fully support expanding cycling infrastructure in our city, but there are better options as Mr. Youngman suggests. Wellington Crescent’s wide boulevards present an ideal opportunity to create safe, dedicated bike lanes without disrupting vehicle traffic. A balanced approach is needed — one that supports cyclists without compromising the safety and functionality of the road for all users.

M. Strath

Winnipeg

Bumpy lesson

Seems to me that the speeding problem on Wellington Crescent could be quickly and very effectively dealt with by installing a few serious speed bumps. Plus, leave the pot holes to do their thing.

Case in point: speed bumps installed along St Vital Park last summer … I am pretty sure that absolutely everyone slowed down after hitting one of those.

People do have the capacity to very quickly learn the need to slow down and pay attention to their driving.

Val Kellberg

Winnipeg

In defence of ground squirrels

Re: Winnipeg and ground squirrels (Think Tank, March 20)

The ground squirrels were here first. How can anyone enjoy an activity with a layer of suffering, dying animals underneath them?

Shame on them.

Someone must speak for those that cannot speak for themselves.

Rethink this plan!

Kathy Williams

Winnipeg

Pallister’s legacy

Re: ‘This is what integrity is’ (March 26)

This is in response to Brian Pallister’s comment that he was “fixing the services” while in office. I seem to recall that he was responsible for closing several emergency rooms, and caused many nurses to leave health care and in general wrecked our health-care system.

A system which needed more supports and services … not less, especially heading into a pandemic. He thought these measures would improve the finances in the province? I beg to differ that the ripple effect has been much more costly and ineffective.

I don’t think there are too many people in this province that would choose to have a “balanced budget” over proper and humane medical care. I am happy for Mr. Pallister that he has his group of supporters and well-wishers, but unfortunately that does not represent how a number of us in this province feel about his time in office.

Michele Hemmerling

Winnipeg

Necessary care

Re: Respite care cuts will break strained system (Think Tank, March 25)

To say I was shocked to read that the CDS are even considering cuts to respite care for parents and guardians, would be a gross understatement.

These children who are living with complex medical conditions and needs are some our most vulnerable members of our community. Their loving and devoted parents who sacrifice so much financially, socially, professionally and emotionally to care for their children in their own homes are deserving of all the supports that they require — no question. Dr. Jennifer Anderson has outlined the many challenges faced by families in this situation.

I would suggest to Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine that she respond to the request of the families to reconsider any cuts to respite services.

Marilynn Slobogian

Winnipeg

Reverse course, Canada

Re: Carney takes victory lap after meeting NATO target: ‘We’re just getting started’ (March 26)

Since 2000, world military expenditures have nearly doubled and now amount to about US$2.5 trillion per year, more than half of which is accounted by NATO countries. In contrast, only about three per cent of this total is devoted to the entire body of work of the United Nations, including peacekeeping and the sweeping social and economic operations of 40 specialized agencies and programs.

Exhibiting similar lopsided priorities, Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government is cutting Canada’s diplomatic staff and foreign aid at the same time as defence expenditures ramp up exponentially.

Shrinking Global Affairs Canada’s workforce weakens our ability to understand world events, influence allies, and respond to humanitarian and political crises. Foreign aid cuts mean reduced funding for HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria programs, and leave other potential gaps in essential health services in low‑income countries

Canada should reverse course domestically, and also encourage world leaders to halt the current dangerous acceleration of rampant militarism. A larger military-industrial complex globally may not only provoke a potential nuclear exchange but also hasten catastrophic climate change that could well destroy us all.

Larry Kazdan

Vancouver, B.C.

Nutrition in the ER

Re: A cost-of-living, health-care budget (March 25)

The article quotes Dr. Nichelle Desilets, president of Doctors Manitoba, “When I work in the emergency room and I see a kid with a sore ear that’s drinking Pepsi and eating Doritos, I don’t want that to be the easiest accessible option for them and their family.” This article refers to the tax breaks to make healthy food more affordable, but the quote raises the issue of kids eating junk food in the ER.

While the health risks of processed snacks are well-known, my big concern is the lack of available healthy food for people waiting in the ER. The current food options for the ER waiting room — consisting entirely of chips, candy, and soda — are inadequate, especially in a health-care setting. Why aren’t fresh, healthy options available that actually help people stay fuelled and calm during a health crisis? It is an opportunity to support patient and companion health at a time when they are most stressed.

They need to replace or supplement vending machines with nutritious, accessible, round-the-clock food options. People stuck in the ER for hours shouldn’t have to choose between hunger and a bag of chips.

Judi Fielding

Winnipeg

Disappointed by budget

At a time of lying, disinformation, greed and deceit — not to mention war in so many parts of the world — one hoped the NDP budget might counter those destructive actions, and would include science-based, substantial supports for renewable energy projects which would begin to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.

No such outcome, I’m afraid. This budget provides little support to transit, uses only existing funds to help in retrofitting homes, no support for renewables, and promotes LNG shipments through Churchill. Those are not initiatives that fit the science, nor provide us a secure future.

Human-caused climate change is real. Meanwhile, the oil and gas lobbies continue to hold sway over politicians, and wage a constant campaign of denial, delay, disinformation, doubt …just as the tobacco industry did for decades.

Amazing work is being done in many parts of the world, in both G7 countries and in the Global South. Why can’t we?

Jean Altemeyer

Winnipeg