Letters, June 21

Opinion

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This article was published 20/06/2022 (873 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Don’t cancel Canada Day

Re: The Forks changes for Canada Day events praised (June 19)

I am very disappointed to hear of the name change for this Canada Day celebration. There are already events to showcase cultures and bring people together, such as National Indigenous Day and Folklarama.

There is so much about Canada that we can celebrate. Many people choose to relocate to Canada because it is rated as one of the best countries to live. Where would these groups that riot and cause vandalism rather live?

History is history. We cannot change it; we must acknowledge it and move forward.

I will certainly continue to display the Canadian flag and show that I am proud on Canada Day and every day.

Shirley Moster

Selkirk

Canada has traditionally welcomed others from all corners of the world, and allows and even encourages all to practice their faith and customs. Canada has recognized the past indignities to Indigenous people and is trying to correct the injustices through the Truth and Reconciliation process, and inquiries into Missing and Murdered Indigenious Women. Canada endeavours to treat fairly and equally lesbian, gay, bisexual and two-spirited people.

But The Forks would have us not celebrate Canada. Why doesn’t Sara Stasiuk, CEO of The Forks, just banish us all to darkened rooms where we can all punish ourselves for having the nerve to have a past and not being totally perfect in the eyes of the community members she has consulted. It’s a New Day, alright!

Janice Chase

Winnipeg

While The Forks celebrates New Day on July 1, I will be at home proudly displaying the Canada flag.

My grandparents came to Canada seeking the freedoms that we are blessed to have. Has Canada as a country made some mistakes? Absolutely. But that does not mean we should not celebrate its culture, beauty, democracy and social benefits.

We have work ahead of us to keep this country one that is equal for all, but I don’t believe toppling statues and disrespecting the flag is the solution. Let’s learn from our past to build a better future for all born here and for all who seek protection from oppressive governments and wars.

If you do not love Canada, you are free to pack your bags and leave.

Christine Jacques

Winnipeg

Cancelling the fireworks? I’ve waited patiently for two years to see fireworks again. Please, don’t cancel them!

Bruce Fast

Winnipeg

The Forks plans to replace Canada Day with New Day. It’s a joke, right?

If you live in this country, it’s always a new day. We are progressive, right our wrongs, support the little guy and open our doors to the world. That’s Canada.

Sure, some bad stuff happened here in the past. It’s in the open now and hopefully will be repaired, but to dismiss celebrations aimed at honouring this fine, safe country are laughable and actually offensive.

I will boycott the New Day event.

Jeff Monk

Winnipeg

When we can no longer celebrate July 1 as Canada Day, then those in charge have become way-off-the-dock politically correct. If this is the way they are going, then The Forks businesses have lost my patronage.

Robert Riffell

Winnipeg

Men shouldn’t judge abortion

Re: Two moral traditions at play (Opinion, June 17)

Harold Jantz attempts to make a case for the continued charitable status of an anti-abortion conservative Christian organization by quoting the opinions of three men. The only actual woman he references in his opinion piece is his wife, who he fails to name and instead reduces her to an ampersand for whom he presumes to speak.

While these boys might enjoy holding forth philosophical opinions on the hypothetical dilemma they imagine might be faced by actual people who find themselves pregnant, those of us who are, have been or may become pregnant are the ones doing the heavy lifting on these weighty moral matters.

If these fellows are so concerned about crisis pregnancies, I would advise them to focus their attentions on crisis prevention by putting their considerable energies into managing the actions of their own sex. The ones responsible for creating a crisis have no business judging the ones who are left to resolve it, nor should they receive tax breaks for doing so.

Debbie Patterson

Winnipeg

Tax rebate gifted to schools

Re: Tories on defensive over rebates to wealthy (May 12)

I recently received my education property tax rebate cheque with a flyer saying Manitoba property owners will receive nearly $350 million in rebates in 2022. This was stated as if it was something to celebrate. I was angry.

This is $350 million stolen from the education of today’s children. I made an appointment to see the principals of two of my neighbourhood schools. They were very happy to receive my cheques. If you can afford to pass on your rebate, I’m sure your local schools would be more than happy to accept your support.

Nancy Pinnell

Winnipeg

I got my education property tax rebate cheque in the mail this week, and it reassures me that our elected government is making an effort to help the ordinary guy.

This money helps with inflation and the high cost of gas. More importantly, it puts it back in the hands of Manitobans and gives them the power to decide what to do with it. No doubt it will go back into the economy as people spend it on themselves or give it away to support charities they believe in. The NDP, on the other hand, would rather keep all the tax revenue they can get and plow it into expensively administered government programs.

Ryan Poetker

Winnipeg

Reconsider date of marathon

Re: Way too hot to trot, never mind run full Manitoba Marathon (June 20)

As a former marathoner, I find it bemusing that some folks are complaining about the stoppage of the Manitoba marathon due to the fact the police weren’t willing to accommodate an earlier start time to avoid the oppressive heat. Truth is, unless you’re an elite runner, an hour or so delay means nothing, being as most runners will still be on the course well after the heat and humidity begin to take their toll.

If anyone has been paying attention, our police have enough to deal with, and to even suggest they’re somehow responsible for the run being shut down is preposterous. First-world problem. Perhaps it’s time to reconsider the entire concept, beginning with the time of year the event is staged.

Dan Donahue

Winnipeg

For days in advance of the marathon, weather forecasters were very clear that race-day temperatures would be in the high 30s with a dangerously high humidex, and yet the marathon organizers proceeded.

How many road closures and water stations, and how much public works and police time went into it? This kind of foolery wasted tax dollars that are sorely needed elsewhere.

Rennie Bodi

Winnipeg

Slogan is a ‘real’ puzzle

Re: Branding exercise was destined for mixed reviews (Editorial, June 15)

Winnipeg’s new official slogan, Made from What’s Real, fails to distinguish anything unique about our fair city. It has little meaning for those who live here (it has to be explained to us), and certainly has no meaning for those who do not live here. It puts the city in the same category as the Real Canadian Superstore and numerous foods, such as some brands of mayonnaise, BBQ sauce, ketchup and peanut bars, all of which have the word “real” in their names.

Irwin Corobow

Winnipeg