Letters, Aug. 18

In support of real engineering

Jerry Storie’s op-ed Take advantage of hydroelectric potential and Laura Cameron’s op-ed Lasting legacy or pining for a pipe dream, both in the Free Press Aug. 17, provide quite different perspectives on what should be done to provide reliable power to Manitoba residents in the future.

Mr. Storie advocates construction of more hydroelectric projects rather than new natural gas generated capacity to offset looming power shortages. He argues that these hydroelectric projects will benefit Manitoba for the next century, and observes there will be significant increases in the demand for electricity in upcoming years. He is not wrong in any of these observations. However, hydroelectric developments are very capital intensive and have long lead development periods. Natural gas generation can be brought on line far more quickly with less investment. And perhaps Mr. Storie’s minimization of the environmental impacts of these developments deserves more scrutiny. Any First Nations impacted by development deserve to be consulted and participate in any benefits. Having said this, Mr. Storie is a former minister responsible for Manitoba Hydro, and thus has a fairly deep understanding of the issues at hand.

Laura Cameron advocates against construction of the LNG pipeline and terminal at Churchill, citing “the technical challenges of building a pipeline over thawing permafrost; the prohibitive cost of ice-breaking tankers that move LNG through the Arctic; and a forecasted global oversupply of LNG and uncertain long-term export markets.” These would all be persuasive arguments if Ms Cameron possessed any credentials indicating an expertise in engineering or economics. She does not. The balance of Ms Cameron’s op-ed focuses on ways for Manitoba to reduce its carbon footprint while taking a few shots at the proposed LNG pipeline to B.C. Her opposition to the pipeline to Churchill is almost a Trojan horse.

It’s too bad that there are so many divergent and mutually exclusive views being made concerning the energy future for Manitoba. Whatever Manitoba Hydro decides is right for our province, it should be like a good financial portfolio. It should be diverse, performing well when water levels are up or down. Just as a portfolio provides cash flow when we need it, it should provide the power Manitoba requires for the present and the future without running short. And it should be robust and as low risk as we can make it while continuing to grow.

I have some empathy for the very highly qualified folks at Manitoba Hydro. They’re getting a lot of “free” advice these days, some of which is not entirely based on fact. If this type of environment existed back in the day, I wonder if the Winnipeg aqueduct would have been built. I wonder whether Duff’s ditch would have been built.

So many activists; so little time; all offering “free” advice, which is worth exactly what you pay for it.

Tom Pearson, Victoria

Pet rich, cash poor?

Re: Shelters overwhelmed as rising vet costs force some owners to surrender pets (Aug. 17)

I am not at all surprised to read of the increase in pet surrenders due to affordability concerns. I recently paid $4,300 for day surgery on my much-loved dog. I had already spent $600 in the previous month on vet visits, vaccines and heartworm pills. Fingers crossed that the growths don’t return, requiring additional surgery.

I am lucky enough to be able to pay for these expenses. Owning a pet is now really a luxury (with lots of responsibilities). The pet industry, including rescue shelters and veterinarians, needs to publicly acknowledge this difficult truth.

The pet rescue shelters are in a tough spot, wanting to minimize the amount of time animals spend in their care. I have adopted from shelters twice. The adoption process did not include a review of financial obligations (beyond the adoption fee) of ownership, including food, puppy training, daycare/boarding (for travel or long work days), regular vet/preventative care, potential surgeries, chronic medical conditions and end-of-life care.

Maybe it’s time to require these types of discussions and hypothetical financial stress tests (e.g., how would you pay for an unexpected $2,500 vet bill?). Condo sales have a one-week cooling off period. It may sound ludicrous, but perhaps the same should apply to pet adoptions.

While I understand staffing and other costs have increased for vet clinics, many of the costs seem hyper-inflated to me. Heartworm prevention pills are a great example. I imagine it’s a pretty standard medication at this point, not requiring much research. I shake my head every year when I shell out $260 for six pills. Some medications can be purchased for 25 per cent of the cost at a human pharmacy compared to the vet clinic. These examples lead me to believe there are other opportunities to make pet ownership more affordable.

Pets bring so much joy to so many people. Sadly, pet ownership will be financially out of reach for many who would love to provide a loving home to animals in need.

Michelle Burdz, Winnipeg

Sea Bears rejoice

Re: Champions (Aug. 17)

A huge shout out to David Asper, coach Mike Raimbault and his staff, all those involved in game-day and office activities and all the Winnipeg Sea Bears players for an outstanding and very entertaining championship basketball season.

We are very proud of the organization and what it has brought to our city and our province since its inception three years ago. The Sea Bears games are affordable, family friendly, very entertaining and, most of all, just plain fun.

I have been a season-ticket holder for all three years and have never felt cheated. Based on the attendance at home games, it appears that most fans would agree with me. I look forward to many more successful Sea Bears seasons. Go Bears — Guard the Den!

Ross Wedlake, Winnipeg

Nourish this tree

Re: It’s one thing to climb aboard rail-relocation train, quite another to pay for the ride (Aug 12); Plan to move rail lines gains steam (Aug 13); “Relocation will require persistence” (Letters, Aug 15)

It is often said that the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago and that the next-best time is now.

Well, 11 years ago was a good time as well, though a tree needs to be allowed to grow. In 2015 the Selinger government planted a tree and instigated a rail relocation task force but, a year or so later, when the NDP was replaced by the PCs, (then-Premier Brian) Pallister pulled that sapling from the ground and killed it.

Letter writer Tom Pearson notes that it may be difficult to maintain support for rail relocation for the 20 years that it is expected to take to implement, but we would be over halfway through that time-frame now if Selinger’s sapling had been allowed to grow into a healthy tree.

I’ve been hearing of the need/desire to relocate the rail years since I was a teenager in the ‘60s, and they are still carving up our city. Over all those years, people have talked about planting a tree, a few saplings have been tentatively planted here and there, but no trees have been allowed to grow and mature.

Now Kinew’s government, through Lloyd Axworthy’s task force, has planted another sapling. I call on — and urge — all involved to nurture this tree, allow and encourage its growth and to finally move forward with rail relocation now. Let’s not wait another 11 or 20 or 60 years.

Let’s not have to re-quote that old adage again in future decades.

Bob Martin, Winnipeg

Our booze is better

The provinces can put American booze back on the shelves if it helps to appease Trump and gains Canada some mercy from his tariffs, but that doesn’t mean any of us have to buy it.

Jack Daniel’s or Crown Royal? Seems like an easy choice.

David Hedman, Winnipeg