Letters, April 27

No to crypto

Minister responsible for Manitoba Hydro Adrien Sala should be congratulated on making the right decision when it comes to providing Manitoba Hydro with the tools to limit power sales and to impose higher rates for the power we sell to cryptocurrency producers. Cryptocurrencies are often used to hide dark money.

Dark money is money generated by drug cartels, scammers and those transferring wealth around the world with impunity, often done to avoid taxes. We know this because U.S. President Donald Trump has his own cryptocurrency.

The most recent figures suggest that the use of cryptocurrency to launder money is growing. The scale of laundering is staggering. It was estimated that approximately US$10 billion was laundered using cryptocurrency in 2020, and that figure has balloon to US$82 billion in 2025.

Unfortunately, as the minister noted, Manitoba Hydro is quickly running out of firm hydro-generated electricity. Governments have known, and Manitoba Hydro has stated clearly, that it needs new, firm power-generating capacity. All Manitoba Hydro needed was approval to build Conawapa which could provide 1,300 MW of clean energy to Manitoba businesses and communities.

As with planting trees or any investment, it is always important to start early but the next best time is always now. It’s time the government explained exactly why it has chosen to build large fossil-fuel fired generators instead of following the path that has sustained us over the last century, one that could well serve Manitobans for the next century.

Jerry Storie

Winnipeg

If Premier Wab Kinew makes life difficult for cryptobros in Manitoba, many families will indeed be impacted, because they won’t lose their life savings to Ponzi-level scams that for some reason people continue to take seriously.

If Kinew destroys these companies, he is a hero, full stop.

Every penny that anyone makes with crypto is not “created value” as the economists love to babble about. It came directly from someone else’s savings. No sympathy for thieves.

James Paskaruk

Arnes

Strait Trump’s downfall

The U.S.’s war with Iran and Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz (Trump’s Achilles heel) will certainly lead to his downfall.

There is no end in sight regarding the safe movement of one-fifth of the world’s supply of oil and other important goods through this strait. Trump can’t lie his way out of his huge blunder this time.

R. Moskal

Winnipeg

Problem with the rules

Re: City failed to read the room before ditching Sals (April 23)

While I agree with the points Tom Brodbeck puts forth in his column re: the Sal’s golf course contract, it strikes me that Tom is missing one factor in the scenario: political fallout for awarding the contract to a company with a lesser-quality bid — even a local one as beloved as Salisbury House.

It seems to me that this really only points to adjustments that could or should be made to the city’s tendering system going forward (like the weight given to local companies, as Brodbeck suggests).

While I hope that there is a way for Sals to somehow regain the contract (full disclosure, Sals operations manager Dave Petrishen is a buddy), if the current system was followed — as unfortunate as the result is — I don’t think it’s fair to lay blame at anyone’s feet.

I can imagine that if someone wanted to score political points in the civic or provincial chamber — a rarity, I know — awarding a contract to a local company that tendered a weaker bid would be inviting accusations of cronyism, or simply playing fast and loose with taxpayer dollars.

As I read it, the blowback now is apparently the result of someone following the rules set out for these situations. Let’s not ignore the reality that they might also have been damned if they hadn’t.

Kelly Parker

Winnipeg

Benefits of a public grocer

Re: Soaring fuel prices driving up shipping costs for northern grocers (April 22)

The case for a public grocer option is rooted the instability we find ourselves in.

And the instability is not merely rising gas prices, but rather this is a conversation that the pandemic should have started in earnest: if grocery stores are essential, if the labourers are essential workers, why is there so little public policy surrounding these necessities?

If the public requires these services, the public need to be respected as stakeholders.

Canada’s largest grocers routinely engage in price fixing (how many bread settlements have we been eligible for?); our Northern communities suffer under near or literal monopolies for their grocery needs; in urban centres, where independent grocers are more viable, they simply cannot compete with the large supermarkets.

Public grocers will not solve every problem but they can challenge monopolies, drive down prices, and distribute the profits derived in a more equitable manner.

Kelsey Enns

Winnipeg

Time for scooter ban

Re: “It begins” (Letters, April 23)

How distressing to read Ron Robert’s letter about electric scooters on sidewalks again. There are also electric bikes using sidewalks.

A long winter of snow and ice kept seniors and many others off the sidewalks for fear of falling. Such confinement! Imagine the excitement and feeling of freedom to walk blissfully and safely on sidewalks that offer fitness, a chance to do errands on foot, an invitation to smile at a passing stranger or stop for a neighbourly chat, a chance to appreciate nature. This is open to all and all for free!

Now we have the fear of being startled, perhaps having to jump aside quickly or be knocked down. Now our walks are disturbed by watchfulness and apprehension.

It’s time for Mayor Scott Gillingham and councillors to ban these speeding, stealthy electric scooters and bikes from our sidewalks. Yes please, do it with conviction with fines and enforcement.

Brenda Trevenen

Winnipeg

More bylaws won’t help

City council is considering new restrictions on consumer fireworks unless residents obtain permits. Before adding another bylaw, there is a more important question: why create new rules when existing ones are already so difficult to enforce?

Many residents have experienced ongoing neighbourhood issues such as excessive early-morning noise, commercial-type activity operating out of residential areas, and repeated disturbances. Complaints are made, but too often little appears to happen. When current bylaws are not enforced in a timely or meaningful way, public confidence drops.

That is why many people are skeptical of new regulations. A bylaw only has value if it can be applied fairly and consistently. Otherwise, it becomes words on paper while the real problems continue.

Council should be more focused on economic priorities that directly benefit Winnipeg residents. Supporting local businesses, buying local where possible, and keeping public-service revenue in the community rather than giving contracts to American companies. That should be a much higher priority than passing unenforceable rules. Decisions to contract out services to outside companies only deepen concerns that city hall is focused on the wrong things.

If the city wants residents to respect new rules, it first needs to show that existing ones matter. That means responding to complaints, addressing repeat offenders, and focusing on practical issues that improve neighbourhood life and strengthen the local economy.

Passing more bylaws without fixing enforcement does not solve problems. It simply adds more frustration.

Dave Gaudreau

Winnipeg