Letters, Dec. 20

Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 19/12/2022 (639 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Serving constituents

Re: Wyatt wants councillors’ ward budgets hiked (Dec. 15)

So Coun. Russ Wyatt wants his ward allowance raised to $159,000 “to help them retain staff”! Councillors are very well paid and it is simply outrageous that they need expensive, full-time staff to respond to “constituent concerns.” That’s what councillors are paid to do. That’s their job!

At most, councillors should have a secretarial pool to assist with their responses to “constituent concerns” and help the councillor refer those concerns and/or complaints to the appropriate civic staff or committees or the council itself as the case may be, for resolution.

You don’t need a highly paid assistant, Coun. Wyatt; just do the job you are well-paid for, which is to serve your constituents; at the lowest possible cost.

Frank A. Johnson, former city councillor

Winnipeg

Downtown safety

Re: Millennium needs full assessment of risks (Dec. 16)

Tom Brodbeck warns against snap decisions on safety at the Millennium Library. Absolutely.

Measures to ensure that stabbings take place outside the library, rather than inside, aren’t the answer.

Jude Carlson

Winnipeg

Pay (a lot) at the pump

According to Gas Buddy, one year ago the average cost per litre for gas was 129.526 cents in Winnipeg, and 138.424 cents in Canada.

Today, the average is 151.672 cents in Winnipeg and 140.287 cents in Canada.

That’s an average of 22 cents per litre more in Winnipeg than a year ago, and less than a two-cent-per-litre difference in Canada.

I have been tracking this trend for a few weeks now, and it seems clear that in this part of the country, we are being gouged for gasoline.

Candace Blair

Winnipeg

Indigenous-led solution?

In regard to Leslie Kirby’s letter “Searching for answers” (Letters, Dec. 15) she covers all the bases eloquently, suggesting that perhaps monies allocated to more inquiries and excavations be spent to create a task force here in Manitoba.

Such a task force led by an “all-women” Indigenous community could establish an environment for young girls, giving them the support and direction they need before they become “another victim.” Women are strong, they are the caregivers; let them do their job.

This would be a lasting memorial.

Lorraine Helgason

Winnipeg

Options for democracy

Re: A tale of two elections (Letters, Dec. 16)

Edward Keith Bricknell describes how a ranked-ballot voting system might have changed the result of the Kirkfield Park byelection. This is similar to the voting system proposed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other Liberals.

I can see why. In general, voters on both the political right and left will probably choose a centrist party as a second or third choice. In Canada, the result is probably a win for the Liberals, but not necessarily for representativeness.

There are other choices of proportional representation systems, ones in which almost every voter would see a candidate of their chosen party representing them. This is not the place, nor am I the person, to explain the alternatives. However, Bricknell’s letter exemplifies why this is too important a decision to be left in the hands of politicians who potentially stand to benefit.

Ultimately, the general electorate should decide which voting system reflects our values. The question raised by Bricknell’s letter is how to narrow down the options so that we are not confused by too many choices.

Many proponents of proportional representation support the formation of a “Citizens’ Assembly” to study and make recommendations about a preferred version.

Subsequently, the electorate would decide which voting system we think is fairest — our current first-past-the-post or the recommended version of proportional representation. For at least one source of information, see the website of Fair Vote Canada.

John VanWalleghem

Winnipeg

General election will be different

Re: Byelection result shows Tories there’s still a chance (Dec. 15)

I have to disagree with the sense these byelections function as a “canary in the coal mine.” If anything, the chance is that such a close election in Kirkfield Park will encourage voters in that riding, and others, to consider strategic voting come October 2023. Especially those whose primary concern is unseating the current government.

Several voters, at least 161, were probably on the fence between the Liberal candidate and the NDP candidate and voted Liberal. There is a very high likelihood they will not make the same decision next time. And there is a very high likelihood other voters won’t take the chance of splitting the vote in closer ridings, allowing the PC candidate can run up the middle to power.

If anything, the NDP should push harder in Kirkfield Park while reminding everyone what happened last time they voted Liberal, or other than NDP or PC, and handed the riding to Premier Heather Stefanson’s party.

And Stefanson should take no comfort in the recent wins or conclude those ridings are a lock for her party.

Brian Spencler

Winnipeg

MAiD a compassionate option

Re: End-of-life decisions (Letters, Dec. 16)

Rev. John Wesley Oldham’s thoughts on medical assistance in dying (MAiD) “service” are welcome and demonstrate compassion, consideration and, ultimately, profound respect for life as it is experienced by those with a terminal illness. My own experience predates MAiD. My wife of 37 years begged me to do something to help her end her life, as her dignity and humanity were drained away by terminal brain cancer. We needed MAiD.

I am hopeful that a pause on the right of any human to end their suffering in dignity does not turn into a life sentence for those suffering from mental anguish. Like those now granted the right to end their life because of the pain and suffering they may be forced to endure from a physical illness, those suffering from mental illness deserve to be treated with respect. What value to society is there in making someone suffer who wishes to end the pain?

I have never suffered in such a way and when I ask myself, should I judge their suffering and deny them relief, if “they are in their right mind,” as Rev. Oldham suggests, the answer is no. People with mental illness are not necessarily devoid of the power to reason and make decisions that are logical based on their lived experience.

More than 4,000 people died by suicide in Canada last year. Is this the solution we continue to offer people experiencing long term, debilitating mental-health illness? And while the process for committing to MAiD should be lengthy and properly supported, it is a humane and compassionate option we need to make available.

Jerry Storie

Winnipeg

Ideology harming those in need

Re: Guillemard shows lack of knowledge (Letters, Dec.16)

Robbie Goltsman-Ferris has it spot on. The minister responsible for mental health needs to reassess how her ideological beliefs actually help or rather harm those in need. If she can’t reconcile how her inaction or willful ignorance is detrimental to the health and well-being of Manitobans, she needs to move aside and make place for someone who has more compassion in their heart, even for those less fortunate, and does not hold such ridiculous ideological beliefs.

No one wins when people in positions of power choose willful ignorance over compassion and education from experts. I can only wonder what type of belief system accepts the type of behaviour and rhetoric that has been a staple in our political systems, considering the ideology comes from certain dogmatic beliefs.

Marc Rivard

Miniota