Letters, June 18, 2026

FIFA knows no bounds

Re: FIFA’s financial fiefdom (June 12)

I don’t always agree with Dan Lett, but his views on FIFA are bang-on. It is without a doubt the most corrupt organization in sport — it makes the International Olympic Committee look like a convent.

This World Cup is a total price gouge. A check on StubHub shows tickets in Toronto for a game between soccer “powerhouses” Senegal and Iraq (hey, first time making it in 40 years — they must be good) marked down from $4,000 to $3,100 … each!

As Dan mentioned, the tournament has been expanded by 16 teams this year. So, more games and more FIFA profit. At least in years past, teams (and their fans) would be playing opening matches in one location — not this time. A friend in Winnipeg, who is a die-hard Croatia fan, is going to watch them play in Dallas, then Toronto then Philadelphia — how convenient.

And it’s not just the hardcore fans that are paying through the nose — it’s the taxpayers. The government of B.C. is on the hook for $500 million for seven games — that’s $71.3 million per game.

Folks, this isn’t the Super Bowl or Olympic finals, these are preliminary games with many sub-par teams that will not be advancing to the next round!

How stupid will ticket-buyers feel after spending all that money and going a game that could end in a 0-0 tie?

Derek Rolstone

Winnipeg

Time to clean up city hall

I am a downtown resident and am writing to express my serious concern and frustration regarding the amount of garbage, litter and general neglect visible around Winnipeg City Hall, specifically, and throughout downtown.

As someone who lives and works downtown, I see these conditions every day. It is disappointing to watch one of the city’s most important public spaces deteriorate while residents, visitors and tourists are left with the impression that cleanliness and civic pride are not priorities.

City hall should represent the very best of our city. Instead, garbage-strewn streets, overflowing bins and littered public spaces create an image of neglect and disorder. This is particularly troubling given that city hall is a focal point for visitors, community events and tourism. The current state of the area is a poor reflection on our city and an embarrassment for residents who take pride in where they live.

Downtown residents pay taxes and deserve clean, safe and well-maintained public spaces. Visitors should not leave with the impression our city is unwilling or unable to maintain the area surrounding its own municipal headquarters.

I am asking that immediate action be taken to improve litter collection, increase cleaning and maintenance efforts and address the ongoing issues contributing to the decline of this area. Residents should not have to repeatedly raise concerns about something as basic as keeping the city’s central civic space clean and presentable.

I would appreciate knowing what specific steps the city plans to take to address this issue and improve conditions around city hall and downtown.

Betty Kroeker

Winnipeg

Lamenting a loss

Re: Tradition gone (June 17)

Hockey Night in Canada is a lot more than just a tradition.

I’m not a big hockey fan but I have lived in this wonderful country for over 50 years and know it is part of the country’s DNA. People in the cities will have alternatives, but I am concerned that coverage from coast to coast to coast will be lost. The national broadcaster and Saturday night hockey should be government-mandated rights for every Canadian.

Peter Hodge

Winnipeg

No water-main money for soccer

Re: City mulls $600K for soccer facility upgrade if it gets women’s pro team (June 12)

While I think soccer is a great sport and the FIFA World Cup is definitely raising its profile, I am concerned that the “city’s $600,000 share would come from funds already approved for a water main replacement in Kildonan Park.”

Rather than being paid for through the city’s tax-supported budget as originally planned, that project would instead be covered by the water utility’s budget, freeing up the funding for the soccer complex.

Our water rates have increased significantly over the past two years at great cost to taxpayers. Budgets are important. In my household budget, if we cannot afford to fund this under the city’s tax-supported budget, we do not do it at all.

How is it OK to take $600,000 from funding already approved for water-main replacement in Kildonan Park? How is it OK to use water funding for anything else?

Note: Water bills are so high now that they are extremely hard for many to budget for on a three-month billing cycle. How about billing monthly to help us budget?

Catriona M. Younger

Winnipeg

Think of the alternatives

Premier Wab Kinew and his government clearly understand that climate change is impacting our way of life. And they must be aware of the high and increasing costs to the provincial treasury and to Manitobans’ pocketbooks.

(No doubt our insurance costs are set to rise again after this season’s wild weather.)

So why are they planning to worsen climate chaos by building natural gas turbines and proposing the export of liquid natural gas through the port of Churchill?

Alternative energy sources exist. They are way less expensive and less destructive. They can be built quickly.

Please, let’s get on with real climate solutions for a hopeful future.

Anne Lindsey

Winnipeg

Let there be lights

Re: School zone lights? (Letters, June 13)

Letter writer Gerry Ward is right to ask whether Winnipeg should investigate flashing amber lights in school zones. In fact, Winnipeg has done so many times and yet the lights have only gone up in one location.

On June 10, 2021, I presented a list of school zones with the most speeding infractions to the standing policy committee on public works. My presentation showed that 59.7 per cent of all speeding infractions since 2014 have come from just five school zones, and the top 10 zones account for 73.8 per cent of all school-zone speeding in the city.

Think of the impact it would have to put flashing lights in those zones.

On July 7, 2021 the public works committee passed a motion to put amber lights in those top 10 locations. The motion also called for annual updates on progress.

Nothing has happened.

What we really need to investigate is why, even with a motion requiring them, the lights have not gone up.

Curtis Pankratz

Winnipeg

Potholes in June?

The following question should reflect what is on everyone’s mind:

Has Winnipeg run out of asphalt for potholes?

Robert Moskal

Winnipeg