Letters, May 30

Up the creek without a…

Last Sunday I launched my kayak in the Red River for the first time this season, late as it may be (thanks, spring). The launch, from St. John’s Park, my home base, was quite muddy and is usually quite awkward. The next available and accessible kayak launch/dock is at The Forks Historic Port and that isn’t in yet.

Sure, there are other options. Louise Bridge has a concrete pad, there’s the Canoe and Kayak Centre on Churchill Drive, the Main Street launch at the Perimeter. The only other easily accessible launch is at John Bruce Park on the Seine River, on the other side of the city from me.

There are future options, such as Little Forks, the proposed new federal park development in Point Douglas, and The Forks’ plan for Alexander Docks, but neither is underway.

We badly need more infrastructure for paddling in this city — specifically at St. John’s Park and Kildonan Park. This isn’t called “River City” for no reason and we have a dedicated paddling community here that has been under-served for a very long time.

It’s high tide that changed… ahem, high time that changed.

Will Jones

Winnipeg

Embrace new trees

I live in a neighbourhood renowned for its tree canopy. Many people, including writers for this newspaper, complain continuously about the loss of Winnipeg’s trees. This morning, on our daily walk, we saw an explosion of fresh green leaves and beautiful white and pink blossoms on the young boulevard trees planted by our city.

Instead of mourning the demise of old, rotten, infested, infected trees, let’s celebrate the beauty of the new replacements that coming generations will enjoy as they thrive and grow.

Ellen Karr

Winnipeg

Tesla bad, SpaceX good?

Call me confused. On page 1 of Friday’s edition I read how our NDP government is standing up to Elon Musk and Donald Trump’s tariffs by refusing to offer Tesla an electric vehicle rebate. Then on page five I read that this same government had signed two sole-source contracts with a Canadian division of Space X, which is owned by Musk.

Are we standing up to Trump and Musk or are we just pretending? I’d like an answer because someone is playing fast and loose with the truth.

Bonnie Dickie

Winnipeg

Decorum, please

Every time the Manitoba legislature is in session, many Manitobans tune in hoping to hear meaningful discussion about health care, affordability, education, housing, addictions, mental health, public safety and the future of our province. Instead, too often, what we see is political theatre.

The constant attacks, interruptions, rehearsed outrage, and personal shots between MLAs are exhausting to watch. More importantly, they weaken public trust in government itself.

Disagreement is part of democracy. Debate is necessary. Accountability matters. Opposition parties have an essential role in challenging government decisions and asking difficult questions. But there is a growing difference between debating ideas and attacking people. There is a difference between scrutiny and spectacle.

When elected officials spend more energy trying to embarrass one another than solving problems, everyone loses.

The legislature is not a battleground for egos. It is supposed to be a place of service. It should represent the highest standards of leadership in our province. It should be a place where elected officials model professionalism, discipline, and respect — especially during disagreement. Instead, many sessions appear dominated by conflict for the sake of conflict.

Manitobans are dealing with very real pressures. Families are struggling with rising costs. Communities are asking for better health-care access, stronger mental health supports, safer neighbourhoods, and better opportunities for young people. Citizens are looking for solutions, not performances.

What message does this behaviour send to students and young people watching? In schools, we teach collaboration, empathy, emotional regulation and respectful communication. We encourage young people to listen to one another, resolve conflict constructively, and work together despite differences.

However, many adults in politics model opposite behaviour inside the very institution meant to represent the people. The contradiction matters. The tone inside the legislature shapes how the public sees leadership. When political discourse becomes toxic, public trust erodes. Cynicism grows. People begin to disengage from democracy because they no longer see governance — they see combat.

Politics does not need to become hostile to be effective. Manitobans deserve leaders who understand that governance is serious work.

We deserve representatives who can disagree fiercely on policy while still treating one another with professionalism and basic respect. We deserve leaders who recognize that public office is a responsibility, not a performance. We deserve a Legislature that reflects the dignity of the people it serves.

Ann Evangelista

Winnipeg

More cyclists means fewer cars

Re: Unintended consequences of bike-safety policy (Think Tank, May 29)

So, Gregory Mason is sounding the alarm that we need to “remember the law of unintended consequences in the future,” since he ominously predicts “cyclists deaths (will) rise despite investments in bike safety”.

As a starting point, I will say that, as a commuter cyclist for more than 40 years, I share Mr. Mason’s anecdotal observations that more vehicles are running red lights and that impatience and recklessness has increased significantly among drivers.

However, as a cyclist, I don’t have the luxury of dismissing that by saying “guilty as charged.” Nor do I share his attitude that not noticing the multiple 30 km/h signs on Wellington Crescent was merely a case of “inattention.” The implication is that he isn’t concerned because he is in no real danger, and he’s correct — it is cyclists (and pedestrians) who are mostly at risk when reckless driving occurs.

So, let’s focus instead on the intended consequences of bike-safety policies — keeping cyclists safe.

By doing so, a second intended consequence will be encouraging more people to bike. Given the stunning effects of climate change we are seeing more frequently each day, every single person who bikes (or takes the bus or walks) instead of driving, helps the environment and creates a more sustainable future.

Another intended consequence of bike safety policies is that there will be less cars on the road if more people choose to bike instead.

Robbie Scott

Winnipeg

Crime stats deceptive

Re: Winnipeg’s violent crime rate drops for the second year in a row (May 28)

We are not living with less crime than we were three years ago. The fixation with violent crime rather than crime in general is misleading. When individuals brazenly steal multiple items from a retail store, the crime is only “non-violent” because it is unopposed. If the store owner attempted to intervene and protect his livelihood, the crime would likely turn violent. The statistic that lists it as a non-violent crime hides the fear residents live under.

Let’s have our chief of police stop counting crime stats and instead count the number of stores that are unlocked, unguarded and open and inviting to the public.

Derek Plas

Winnipeg