Letters, April 1

Failure of common sense

It seems that U.S. President Donald Trump’s war on intelligence and common sense has gained a foothold in Manitoba. The government’s removal of sales tax from the sale of junk foods will ensure that rising cases of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease will continue to put pressure on an already beleagured health system.

First the reduction of sales tax on gasoline to encourage pollution of the environment by gas guzzlers, and now this. Are there no adults in the room down on Broadway?

Terry Woods

Winnipeg

Mental health and work

Re: Make mental health a priority, city councillor says (March 30)

We need to start the conversation again about mental illness, mental health, treatment, and wellbeing. I applaud Coun. Matt Allard for open disclosure of mental illness inside and outside of the workplace.

Disclosure of mental illness in the workplace (and elsewhere depending upon the audience) usually results in prejudice, stigmatization, harassment, and discrimination in my past experience many years ago. The pain I have had to deal with years ago, then the mid-past, and now the present with theft and vandalism with no legal consequences and no legal recourse (that was even openly taunted and read by police who did nothing) has left me depressed, paranoid, anxious, and angry. Thankfully, some of us are fortunate to have access to psychological counselling; but not everyone does just like not everyone has paid sick leave.

We must endeavour to renew society in a positive healthy and safe manner where neurodiversity is applauded not scorned.

David Albert Newman

Winnipeg

Ban horse exports

Re: Animal Justice loses case against horse farmer (March 27)

According to Judge Sandra Chapman, the federally regulated parties involved “are entitled to rely on the fact that” regulations are being followed, otherwise the shipments would be prohibited. Right? I’m no judge but isn’t this great in theory but remains just that? The farm owner, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, freight forwarder, airline and Japanese buyer were all aware of the flight change and the shipment went ahead, nothing to see here.

This ruling is confusing, nitpicking whose to blame, adding more bureaucracy to weak “regulations” that are already routinely broken. According to a new Animal Justice report, despite CFIA’s pledge to improve oversight, horrendous suffering and death continues during and after the long-haul flights.

Exposes and years of countrywide advocacy on this cruel trade have educated interested Canadians, who are overwhelmingly opposed and disgusted. When will the Liberal government finally fulfil its 2021 campaign promise to ban live horse export?

Jennifer Azizi

West Vancouver, B.C.

Many Canadians do not know the live export of horses for slaughter exists and those who do continue to be enraged that the Liberal government did not keep its 2021 promise to end it. And most Canadians would be shocked to learn our country has some of the weakest animal welfare and transport laws in the developed world. But, as poor as they are, the ones we do have need to be enforced.

An agency whose name suggests their focus is inspecting “food” should confine themselves to examining dented cans of beans. What the horses, and all animals, need is to be recognized as sentient beings instead of being considered mere property. Farmed animals deserve oversight from a department devoted to their well-being under the purview of a minister for the animals, and not the minister of agriculture because … holy conflict of interest, Batman.

Debbie Wall

Winnipeg

Ignored candidates

I spent this past weekend volunteering at and attending the NDP leadership convention in Winnipeg. And what an experience it was!

I have long had a sense that none of Canada’s federal parties are offering a vision of a truly democratic society; one in which every voice and every vote counts; one in which the needs of all its citizens and the sanctity of the natural world are protected; one in which the conditions for the fullness of life are supported.

That vision was reflected at the convention in the words of all five leadership candidates and those of other NDP officials, both parliamentarians and party executives. That vision was reflected in the heartfelt and informed contributions of so many delegates, both youth and old folks, some of whose involvement in NDP politics date back to Tommy Douglas. The debates on resolutions pertaining to issues such as economic and health equity, sustainable energy, human rights, and the closing of arms export loopholes afforded my pessimistic soul some measure of hope for our fractured world.

So I am left wondering why the mainstream media, including the Free Press, offered at best scant coverage during the seven months of leadership debates and public forums leading up to the convention. And I am left wondering why the mainstream media all but ignored two of the leadership candidates, specifically Tanille Johnston and Tony McQuail, both of whom offer gloriously articulate re-imaginings of our social, economic, and environmental life.

I think I know the answer. Why report on a political party and on candidates who may not look like “winners” in the conventional sense of the word? What a mistake that is, one I urge the Free Press to correct.

Surely we know that we are as likely to find inspiration and hope in the margins as in the forefront.

Frances Ravinsky

Winnipeg

Make an effort for Canada

Canada is at a crossroads, not because of external threats, but because of internal division. Increasingly, we are seeing our country split into opposing sides, where political identity matters more than shared values. Conservatives and Liberals are treated as enemies rather than fellow citizens. This is not sustainable, and it is not the Canada we should accept.

From my perspective, this division is not only unproductive, it is harmful. When people stop listening to one another, when disagreement turns into hostility, we lose the ability to solve real problems. Issues like affordability, health care, housing, and education do not belong to one side or the other. They affect all Canadians. Treating them as partisan battlegrounds only delays solutions.

There was a time when disagreement did not mean disrespect. Canadians could hold different views while still recognizing a shared responsibility to the country. That mindset has been replaced with constant conflict. Social media, political rhetoric, and news cycles have all contributed to this, but we are still responsible for how we respond.

This is a call to action, not for one side to win, but for both sides to step back and work together. Conservatives bring valuable perspectives on responsibility, stability, and tradition. Liberals bring important ideas about progress, inclusion, and change. Canada needs both. Ignoring one side weakens the whole country.

Unity does not mean agreement on everything. It means recognizing that cooperation is more effective than division. It means debating ideas without attacking people. It means putting the long term interest of Canadians above short term political victories.

If we continue down this path of division, we risk becoming a country that cannot govern itself effectively. But if we choose cooperation, we can build something stronger than what either side could achieve alone.

The responsibility does not lie only with politicians. It lies with all of us. Canadians must demand better, from leaders, from media, and from each other. We must be willing to listen, to challenge our own assumptions, and to prioritize the common good.

Canada is worth that effort.

Tanner Bergsma

Waterloo, Ont.