Letters, May 12

Downtown problems

I work in the architecture industry and believe cities should be designed to support people — not intimidate them. Good urban design should encourage walking, transit use, and a lighter environmental footprint. I try to embody those values myself by living downtown, walking to work, and minimizing how much I drive.

That is why an incident May 7 at approximately 11:22 a.m. left me furious.

As I exited Winnipeg Square and crossed Fort Street heading east, a city bus turning north from Graham Avenue onto Fort honked at me while I was legally in the crosswalk. When I stepped off the curb, there were still six seconds remaining on the pedestrian countdown.

Apparently that was not fast enough for the driver.

When I did not sprint across the street, the driver leaned on the horn for roughly three full seconds. What exactly was the goal here? To intimidate a pedestrian? To frighten someone into running? To remind people that downtown streets belong to vehicles first and everyone else second?

Every day pedestrians in downtown Winnipeg already contend with crumbling sidewalks, hostile intersections, and impatient drivers. Crossing the street should not feel like a survival exercise. Yet now even city buses — the very symbol of public transportation and urban livability — are bullying pedestrians who are following the rules.

And let’s add one more detail: I have grey hair and was wearing sunglasses. For all that driver knew, I could have been a senior citizen. Is this really how we expect transit operators to treat vulnerable pedestrians?

Winnipeg says it wants a vibrant, walkable downtown. That goal is impossible if pedestrians are treated as obstacles instead of people.

Jennifer Zatser

Winnipeg

On Canada’s new GG

Re: New GG doesn’t speak a single Indigenous language (May 9)

I was taken aback by the tone of Niigaan Sinclair’s opinion piece. His criticism of Louise Arbour’s appointment as governor general focused narrowly on her inability to speak an Indigenous language. He describes her appointment as “unethical, irresponsible and divisive.” We do indeed need more opportunities to engage in dialogue about the merits of such appointments. However, the strident tone conveyed by Sinclair did not convey an invitation for dialogue in the spirit of reconciliation. Rather, the tone was more akin to an invitation to debate an entrenched position.

The opinion piece by Sinclair rightly points out the criticism by some that was directed at Mary Simon, the preceding GG, for her limited fluency in French. His criticism of Arbour’s inability to speak an Indigenous language seems to be very similar in substance and scope, is it not?

I found it informative to consider the thoughts shared by David McLauglin regarding the GG appointment in the Think Tank section of the same edition. He points out that the role of GG is largely a ceremonial office. I, frankly, have in the past questioned the merit of the office.

However, the more recent erosion of support for public institutions, as pointed out by McLaughlin, as well as the need to realign diplomatic relationships, provides an opportunity for a more substantive contribution by the office of the governor general.

Given the developments since the appointment of Simon, it appears that there is a need to rebalance the focus of the ceremonial duties between important national issues and the increasingly critical international items. In support of this view, I suggest a “skirmish” over languages spoken by the governor general, though important, should be approached with more patience, diplomacy and grace so as to not detract from other critical issues requiring the attention of the prime minister, other elected members as well as members of the public.

With all due respect to Canada’s best columnist, I will not be calling the prime minister to criticize the limited linguistic skills of Louise Arbour.

Leonard Harapiak

Winnipeg

Niigaan Sinclair has a legitimate argument about the appointment of Louise Arbour as the country’s 31st Governor General and her lack of speaking any of the 80 Indigenous languages.

Throughout the last federal election there was very little mention of Indigenous issues such as safe water to drink and to bathe, third world living condition, limited access to healthcare, etc. from any of the parties. So in reality no one should be surprised that a governor general was selected, who of course is a francophone, but doesn’t speak any Indigenous languages.

Alfred Sansregret

Winnipeg

City needs better plan for pool

Re: Pan Am Pool to close for 16 months for repairs (May 9)

The details regarding the Pan Am pool closing are important to pay attention to. No denying that the aging facility needs work.

What is most concerning is the fact that select groups will be the users of the training tank and not the general public. Looks like this decision is based on some discussion with swim clubs, and not the general public. A contractor has not been identified as yet. I expect a contractor will want to have input about the plans for training tank use whether it is used by clubs and/or the public.

Many taxpaying citizens rely on weekly or daily use of the Pan Am pool for staying healthy. I am one of them, using lap swim openings in the training tank. Do I have to join a club to swim in the training tank? This specific pool within the overall Pan Am pool facility is as large as many existing pools in Winnipeg and with already limited pool space in our city, it is important to try to keep this pool open for at least some public users.

If it is determined that the pool is to remain closed, was there consideration as to the best time period for closure? Pool users will know that the summers at the pool are slower and the winter is a heavy use period for clubs and the public.

Based on this, it would make more sense to close from May through to October the following year, for example. This would benefit the public (outdoor pools open in the summer) and be less disruptive to the many clubs which rely on the Pan Am facility that run fall, winter and spring programs.

The city can do a much better job on this plan. We should expect nothing less.

Robert Granke

Winnipeg

Educational opportunity

Re: Perhaps it’s time to move forward on holidays (Editorial, May 9)

This editorial draws attention to the complexities facing schools when it comes to acknowledging special days. And in light of not being able to please everyone, the argument offered is to “leave it to the families.”

This may be the simple thing to do, however I can’t help but wonder if by so doing the schools will miss out on an important educational opportunity. The deeper issue at work, in my view, has to do with our understanding of time. The ancient Greeks had two words to designate time: chronos, or measured time; kairos, or significant time.

In our pluralistic society how do we help students understand that there is more to time than chronology? That there are truly significant days in our calendar? If we leave this task to families alone, I can’t help but think that an important educational opportunity will be lost.

Ray Harris

Winnipeg