Letters, Oct. 20

School violence deplorable

Re: Student violence surges, MGEU says (Oct. 17)

It’s heartbreaking to read and hear stories of school staff being physically and emotionally abused. Students are increasingly coming to the classroom with very complex needs. Staff hours lost to this abuse are surely increasing.

Money and resources are always scarce when it comes to funding education. Stories of para-professionals having to accommodate and work with a plethora of classroom needs are not uncommon.

The solution is not always simple. Surely, staff should not have to endure the emotional and physical abuse from students. Perhaps, some of the students with the highest needs need alternative programming with staff who are trained to deal with the violence.

In any case, no individual should be going home with bruises, cuts and emotional abuse.

Ken Campbell, Winnipeg

---

Do the right thing with CFS

Re: If every child matters, why no public inquiry? (Think Tank, Oct. 17)

I read Marion Willis’s op-ed twice, because Ms. Willis had a lot to say and she knows what she’s talking about. And what she is saying is that, based upon her observations, Manitoba Child and Family Services is letting children and young adults down.

I’m certain that there are some success stories, but there are also failures and the failures sometimes evolve into homelessness, drug addiction and crime; issues that are at the front of our minds and on every politician’s lips. Politicians of all stripes, including the NDP, talk a good game, but instead of action all we see is smoke. A properly conducted public inquiry would cut through the smoke and lay bare problems that need resolution and perhaps some new opportunities for improvement.

Premier Kinew, listen to what Ms. Willis is saying. Do the right thing for the disadvantaged children and young adults who rely on your leadership.

Tom Pearson, Victoria

---

Seeing is believing

A picture is said to be worth a thousand words.

I offer a picture for your consideration followed by a few words:

Have a close look at the photo on the front page of the Oct. 17, 2026 edition of the Free Press. You’ll see a room full of people taking in the address from Prime Minister Carney as he encourages Albertans to vote in favour of a united Canada and reject the entreaties of the Alberta separatist movement. A room full of people, most focused on the prime minister, a few looking at each other. And then there is just one looking up directly at the camera.

That of course is Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, smugly smiling at the thought that, after playing this whole Trumped-up referendum for maximum personal and political advantage, she is now being immortalized as being on the “right side” of the discussion. Apparently, the road to Damascus runs through Red Deer. Who knew?

David Seniuk, Winnipeg

---

Star Trek at 60: A missed opportunity

I attended the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra’s 60 Years of Star Trek & Beyond concert on Oct. 15 with my brother, a devoted fan who had eagerly anticipated the evening. Despite moments of brilliance, we left disappointed.

John de Lancie was delightful as Q, bringing wit and humour throughout. The WSO musicians were magnificent and the conductor deserves recognition for his enthusiasm and energy. When performing familiar Star Trek scores, from the original series’ fight music to the sweeping film themes, the orchestra was outstanding.

Unfortunately, the second half lost its momentum.

Composer Nick DiBerardino’s original works offered a different interpretation of Star Trek. His Tapestry piece was interesting, if lengthy, while the mariachi homage to Q was hilarious.

However, his Darmok and Jalad composition was another matter entirely. Its seemingly endless, repetitive xylophone sequence became exhausting. My brother leaned over and remarked that it sounded like a CD skipping. I couldn’t disagree.

This isn’t criticism of the musicians, particularly the talented percussionists, but rather the decision to devote so much time to one experimental composition.

In a radio interview before the concert, de Lancie remarked, “A Star Trek audience is a really educated audience and they’re willing to go places.”

I appreciate that sentiment, but being open-minded doesn’t oblige an audience to enjoy every artistic experiment.

With 60 years of extraordinary music from composers such as Jerry Goldsmith, James Horner and Alexander Courage, surely more time could have been devoted to celebrating that legacy.

The evening eventually returned to familiar themes, but ended far too soon afterward.

The musicians delivered. The conductor delivered. De Lancie delivered. Unfortunately, the programming left us wanting.

Star Trek has spent six decades boldly going where no one has gone before. That evening, I wished we’d spent more time appreciating where it had already been.

Mathew MacMillan, Winnipeg

---

Keep our doctors here

Re: “Province must also retain docs” (Letters, Oct. 17)

Yog Rahi Gupta’s letter is spot-on regarding the physician shortage in Manitoba.

Recruitment sounds great. Six million dollars offered by the federal government to help Manitoba hire up to 90 new doctors in the next two years sounds so encouraging.

However, as Mr. Gupta points out, retention is just as important as recruitment.

Watching our educated and experienced physicians and specialists leave our province for better working conditions, support, salary and work-life balance is painful.

We certainly need to put more efforts into recognizing and retaining the medical expertise we already have invested in over the years, rather than watch them being recruited elsewhere.

Karen Zurba, Winnipeg

---

Denialism debate continues

Our premier’s comments on residential denialism are important and noteworthy. It takes courage to say things to your friends, political or otherwise, that will challenge their thinking directly.

Those supporting criminalizing so-called denialism need to remember that many people, including Murray Sinclair himself, had a more nuanced view of the motives of the people involved in that traumatic chapter of our history.

In a letter he sent to the Calgary Herald in 2010, (Sinclair) said: “While the TRC heard many experiences of unspeakable abuse, we have been heartened by testimonies which affirm the dedication and compassion of committed educators who sought to nurture the children in their care. These experiences must also be heard …”

For most people, the fear of saying something that will offend the powerful, or those unwilling to listen, creates a silence that can be devastating.

For those defending the principle that a difference of opinion on matters related to residential schools is not a crime, speaking out is likely to come at a cost. Just ask anyone who has tried, including our Premier.

Jerry Storie, Winnipeg

---

Premier Wab Kinew is correct in saying education rather than criminalization is the way to counter residential-school denialism.

What is at risk in criminalizing residential-school denialism is nothing less than our cherished freedom of speech which, as difficult as that may seem, does include the kind of speech that most people regard as abhorrent.

Christopher Hitchens offers a better defense of freedom of speech than I or anybody else could, in remarks that are available via YouTube.

I would urge your readers to listen to what Hitchens has to say, even though their opinions about dealing with residential-school denialism might clash with that of Wab Kinew or my own.

After all, freedom of speech includes your right to hear something disagreeable as much as a person’s right to say it.

Ross McLennan, Winnipeg