Letters, May 20

Troubling footage

Re: Assiniboia Downs urged to add security cameras (May 15)

In the face of disturbing evidence of animal abuse, Assiniboia Downs has flatly rejected calls to install security cameras in its horse barns — a position out of step with other racetracks across North America.

This despite the Downs’ claim that “the care, safety and health of our equine athletes is of paramount importance to our operations.”

Their refusal raises troubling questions. Was the vicious beating of a horse caught on video merely an isolated incident? Or does it point to a broader culture of abuse the Downs would rather keep out of public view?

John Youngman

Winnipeg

The whistleblower footage of a jockey violently beating the racehorse Scarlett’s Flower at Assiniboia Downs keeps me awake at night. It is infuriating to see a gentle animal trapped in her stall, foaming at the mouth with nowhere to flee.

My question to all this, as a Canadian citizen and lover of animals is why? Why did the prosecutor’s office and, by extension, the Canadian government give such leniency to this offender, and does this outcome reasonably protect the animals? Now that the peace bond has expired, this abuser faces zero legal restrictions. This is not OK.

Our weak laws mean nothing without enforcement. From local tracks to the federal government’s catastrophic oversight of live horse export pipelines, animal welfare is routinely ignored. When citizens try to engage, we face a wall of silence; I’ve attempted to contact the agriculture minister’s office repeatedly this year regarding multiple animal welfare issues, receiving no reply to date.

Assiniboia Downs must stop hiding behind independent contractor loopholes and implement third-party, 24-hour barn surveillance. This will go a long way to discourage incidents like this in the future. It is time for Canadians to demand real accountability from racetrack management and their local MPs.

Kelly Gibson

Calgary, Alta.

What’s wrong with exhibit?

Re: Israeli organization threatens lawsuit against CMHR over ‘one-sided’ Palestinian exhibit (May 15)

The mission of the Israeli Law Centre (Shurat HaDin) is “to go on the legal offensive against Israel’s enemies.” What is their objection to the upcoming Nakba exhibit at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights? It’s that the exhibit will show what being forcibly displaced from their homes and villages has done to the Palestinian people, whose lives have been punctuated by insecurity and uncertainty through generations.

Their threat to sue the CMHR is consistent with the Israeli government’s strategy to smother truth and dictate their false narrative. Every Palestinian is their enemy; Israel can do no wrong, no matter the wrongs they are doing. Anyone who criticizes Israel is tarred as an antisemite and becomes Israel’s enemy.

Israel and its affiliated institutions are increasingly isolated on a world scale. In Canada, we recognize that past injustices must be recognized and reconciled. No matter the threats and distortions of history and reality by the Israeli Law Centre, Canadians want to understand what Palestinians have experienced. The Law Centre’s fear is that knowledge will engender an expectation of acknowledgment, leading to justice and reconciliation.

Rubin Kantorovich

Winnipeg

Sprucing up the city

Re: Gardeners plant beauty across city (May 19)

Kudos to the 40-person crew whose work of planting flowerbeds and pots across the city makes Winnipeg more beautiful. Contrast that with the litter that is seen everywhere in Winnipeg. Drive the Perimeter, Kenaston, Portage Avenue, Pembina or Main Street and the litter is unbelievable. During your drive you’ll also notice that not a single traffic line has been painted. Add in a some unrepaired potholes, derelict houses (many burned) and our many homeless and your impression of Winnipeg is complete.

It begs the question, why not a 40-person crew to pick up the litter, a 40-person crew to repair the potholes, a 40-person crew to paint the lines on our streets, a 40-person crew to dismantle derelict houses, a 40-person crew to aid the homeless in their battle with addiction and mental health challenges and multiple 40-person crews to properly clean up the city every spring? These are anecdotal examples, but are points worth considering.

Winnipeg is a beautiful city but if it looks like we don’t care, why would anyone want to visit or even live here?

Wally Barton

Winnipeg

In the midst of groaning, complaining, and sighing over all the woes befalling this fair city, we have a dedicated team of gardeners working to create a wonderful environment of colour and gorgeousness along our roads.

Every year I marvel at the displays of flowers on the Norwood bridge and elsewhere.

Thank you so much!

Bruce Fast

Winnipeg

On accessibility and inclusion

While increased bike lanes may be good in terms of safety for cyclists, I am concerned about accessibility and inclusion in the city. I find curbed bike lanes in particular to be worrisome.

These lanes cut off the right lane, and that can cause serious issues when, for example, an emergency vehicle has to go down a street and vehicles have no lane to turn into.

Another concern is the barrier that these curbed lanes create for someone in a wheelchair, or using some other mobility device, in trying to cross a street.

Street parking for those needing a handicap parking spot, as well as those needing to use private vehicles for families, elderly citizens, and others, becomes a serious issue when these lanes are curbed and public street parking is eliminated. More barriers to accessibility in the city.

Clearing streets of snow also becomes an issue.

I realize that the bicycle lobbying groups have very strong voices and that city politicians feel that they will continue to retain their seats on council by listening to these voices. I also know that the city has reduced the former access advisory committee to a low-level subcommittee. This does not mean that the city no longer has citizens who have the right to full access and inclusion.

Accessibility and inclusion must remain high on the city’s agenda.

Judy Herscovitch

Winnipeg

Canada should back CEPI

As leaders prepare for the G7 Summit in June, one fact is clear: the next pandemic is not a question of if but when, and the world is not yet ready. Systems that should protect people are under strain, funding for preparedness is retreating, and the window to act is now.

Canada has a concrete, cost effective way to help secure a safer future. The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) drives the 100 Days Mission, aiming to develop safe, effective vaccines within 100 days of a new threat. Canada has already partnered with CEPI and invested in research and development that helped deliver COVID-19 vaccines faster than ever before.

COVID-19 has cost Canada hundreds of billions of dollars in response spending and long term health impacts, while a renewed pledge to CEPI would represent only a fraction of that price. The federal government should seize the opportunity at the G7 Summit to announce an ambitious new multi year pledge to CEPI, protecting Canadians and people everywhere from the next outbreak.

Siddarth Maddur

Winnipeg