Letters, July 8

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 08/07/2022 (1343 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Passport renewal arduous

Re: Dream Vacation dashed after passport delay (July 6)

I read with interest the painful plight of the family whose vacation was being cancelled due to passport ineptness. My story is similar.

Back in late January, my wife and I decided to explore the sunny climes of Arizona for a week, but, when it was time to book our ticket, I learned my passport had expired in April of 2021. How much trouble would it be to renew my existing passport?

Fast forward to July 6. Not only have I not received my renewed passport, a process I started via mail on Feb. 9, but they have since sent me my old passport back with a message: “Your passport will be/has been delivered to you by courier service.”

Not only has this not happened but, on April 27, they billed my credit card for the $160 cost of the 10-year renewal passport.

Subsequent to this debit to my card, I spoke with an agent on the phone. This was the seventh time since last February I have spoken with different individuals on my file. This most recent conversation happened after failed attempts of 18 consecutive days in May-June, where I was not only unable to speak to a live person but was disconnected every time, sometimes twice in the same day.

What is going on here? Delay me, sure, but don’t take my money and leave me hanging.

I have not travelled for 37 months now. We have plans to be in Mexico in February of 2023. Payments have been made. What say you, feds? Can you please help with this?

Pat Colpitts

Winnipeg

CEO’s payout infuriating

Re: Hospital CEO paid $615K in year she quit (July 7)

The fury I feel about the circumstances around St. Boniface Hospital’s agreement with ex-CEO Martine Bouchard, who was paid more than twice her typical salary in 2021 after bowing out of the job 18 months early, could send me to emergency with a brain aneurysm.

The inequity is beyond my comprehension. However, this is not the first time I have experienced fury with St. Boniface Hospital.

When I once accompanied a horrifically ill person to the emergency room, patients were in the hall and crammed in micro-spaces, yet there was a colossal entry space for visitors. The entry seemed like cosmetic construction to hide behind-the-scenes tragedy.

I have refused to participate in any fundraising efforts like the Tri-Hospital Dream Lottery as a result, but clearly my stand has not hurt them in the least.

Val Kellberg

Winnipeg

Yes premier, we are concerned

Re: Premier praises vaccine after personal COVID experience (July 6)

Despite Premier Heather Stefanson’s perception, many Manitobans are concerned about the continued spread of COVID-19 variants, especially those who are vulnerable, their families and friends.

We are being kept in the dark — purposefully, it would seem — as chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin hasn’t held a COVID-19 media briefing since May 20. Thanks to Free Press journalists such as Carol Sanders for facts they are able to glean and share with readers. Knowledge is power.

Gerri Thorsteinson

Winnipeg

Attacked aboard transit

Re: $539M for Transit as stalled cost-shared funding flows (July 7)

I’ve been on the bus many times. I sit near the front to be safe from the drunken addicts who get on for free only to argue with anyone who looks their way.

It happened to me. I almost got stabbed, but was able to fend him off. I had to get off the bus after the driver refused to pull over and wait for transit officers.

It’s time for plainclothed security on buses, like they have on airlines.

I urge the elected officials to act now, for those who pay proudly for transit.

Jamie Welwood

Winnipeg

Distinguish sources of violence

Re: Young day campers spooked by random act of violence (July 6)

Both the title and the content of this article are problematic and distorting in nature. While the children described in the article were no doubt shaken up, to describe the action of a person with autism as a “random act of violence” is too simplistic.

To lump the action of such a person in with serious acts of violence such as have recently occurred at The Forks and the Red River Ex perpetuates unfounded fears of people with disabilities. The action of a person with autism does not indicate some insidious spread of violence from downtown to other parts of our city.

Making appropriate and important distinctions between the incident at Kildonan Park and the bloody violence at The Forks and the Ex seems to be basic to responsible reporting.

Paul Doerksen

Winnipeg

Respect right to choose

Re: Outline options to abortion (Letters, July 6)

Letter writer Marie Slykerman wonders what the “fuss” is about regarding the abortion ban by the Supreme Court in the U.S. It’s simple. It denies a woman the right to make the best choice for herself and relegates her to second-class citizenship.

No female, including those who are children themselves, should be forced to carry a baby conceived by rape or incest, or one that is not wanted.

A baby is a long-term commitment. Anti-abortion groups think that supporting a female through pregnancy so she can have the baby is where the story ends. I’ve never heard these groups say they will commit to supporting the same baby through adulthood. Until they do, they should steer clear of a female’s right to choose.

A man has the privilege of being in control of his body. A woman should expect no less.

Nettie Lamb

Carman

World woes often tied to greed

Re: Aide: Trump dismissed Jan. 6 threats, wanted to join crowd (June 28)

When discussing the ongoing problems associated with crime and the general decay of civility throughout the world, we should take into consideration the examples being set by those who one would expect to lead by example.

Some governments, spiritual leaders, corporate titans and social media players wind up indistinguishable at times from the mob bosses one might associate with the Mafia’s glory days. Much of what we struggle with as a society today finds a perverse validation in the words, actions and lack of civility demonstrated by so many in positions of privilege and power.

The greatest impediment to successfully addressing our greatest challenges emanates not from incapability but, instead, our refusal to understand the degree to which greed plays a part.

Dan Donahue

Winnipeg

Calgary resembles Winnipeg

Re: Ukrainian refugees plan to flee city after life-threatening attack at The Forks (July 4)

I’ve just returned from a week-long trip to Calgary and compared that city with our city.

In the week, Calgary had two shootings that resulted in deaths. Shortages of ambulances. Construction on almost every street. Frequent road rage.

It felt like I didn’t even leave Winnipeg.

So, folks, be proud of where we live. Hopefully, it will get better soon.

Willy Martens

Winnipeg

New job for Johnson?

Re: Britain’s Boris Johnson battles to stay as PM amid revolt (July 6)

I think to ensure a solid leadership foundation for the Conservative Party of Canada amidst the current turmoil, we should bring in a steady influence in the conservative movement. Boris Johnson should be available any day now.

Kurt Clyde

Winnipeg