Letters, June 3

Opinion

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This article was published 02/06/2022 (938 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Make the rich pay more

Re: Programs less popular when cost is apparent (May 30)

In the poll commissioned by the right-wing Fraser Institute, the authors attempt to show that Canadians are less inclined to support proposed new national pharmacare, dental plan or daycare program when the taxes needed to pay for them are included.

The problem is that the Fraser Institute only thinks that these programs can be paid by increases to the GST. This of course places the burden of paying for these programs on the those who can less afford to pay for them but who would benefit most.

Instead, why doesn’t the Fraser Institute gauge public support for these programs when the cost is placed on those who can most afford to pay for them, high-income earners and large corporations? There is a wide array of taxes that could fund these programs from a wealth tax on the super rich, increases in the capital gains and dividend tax, and a surtax on the billionaires who profited from the pandemic.

I am pretty sure Canadians’ support for those programs would remain just as high if they were paid for through increases to corporate income tax on those corporations that have seen record-breaking profits or by clamping down on tax avoidance or evasion by corporations and the super rich through myriad tax havens.

Harold Shuster

Winnipeg

Passing road test difficult

Re: What’s NEXT for… my driver’s licence (Newsletter, June 1)

Thanks to Jen Zoratti for writing the self-effacing article regarding her trials and tribulations about her driver’s road test. I admire that she perseveres, in light of past failures. Her attitude and sense of humour are admirable.

I am in the same boat. I’ve had my licence for 40 years and found myself re-applying due to medical issues. My first road test, taken two months ago, was a real eye-opener. I failed. Some things have changed since the 1970s and 1980s. Mainly, I’ve picked up some bad habits that are hard to extinguish.

I will keep trying until I pass. Again, thanks to Zoratti for sharing her story and putting things into perspective for those of us who are struggling with acquiring a licence.

Ken Campbell

Winnipeg

Ban gas-powered leaf blowers

Winnipeg should follow the many other cities that have prohibited all gas-powered leaf blowers and grass trimmers. They generate large amounts of toxic air pollution and particulate matter, which is harmful to many citizens suffering from allergies, asthma and breathing difficulties. Their extreme noise also ruins neighbourhood harmony. The time has come for a ban.

Dan Herzog

Winnipeg

Story of tenacity inspiring

Re: Past filled with abuse transformed her into woman she is today (May 31)

One of the greatest joys I have in reading the Free Press is when I come across a story about someone who has overcome incredible adversity in their lives. Charlotte Nolin is one of these people.

One can’t help but respect her fortitude and yearning to better herself, which ultimately led to her finding her true self. Many of us can learn from her suffering and her pull to the spiritual, plus her willingness to help others in similar situations.

Thank you, Shelley Cook, for writing the article. To Nolin, may you prosper and bring more light to our community.

Kinzey Posen

Winnipeg

War profiteering shameful

Re: Latest hike has $2-per litre gas right around the corner (June 1)

How is this not war profiteering if all the oil companies are gouging the payer while posting record profits, all because of the war in the Ukraine? Their costs have clearly not gone up in step with what we are paying at the pump.

The United Kingdom has gone as far as introducing a temporary 25 per cent “windfall tax” on oil companies and their inflated profits.

Why can’t we do the same here and funnel those funds raised back into the pockets of the consumers or electric-vehicle rebates or clean-energy projects?

Our governments have the power to say to big oil that profiting from our pain is wrong.

Brian Spencler

Winnipeg

Don’t police gender

Re: Gender-neutral washrooms create challenges (Opinion, May 28)

Some people are trying to simplify the issue by saying, “I don’t want a man in the washroom when I have to take my young daughter in there.” Really, what they’re doing is looking at policing someone’s gender, or even lack of gender. They’re trying to police how people dress, act, look and sound. Why? So they don’t have to stand next to a person who doesn’t conform to their stereotypes?

Listen, a washroom is a washroom. Do your business in there and get out. We don’t need to stand around and make sure that everyone else in there looks like us.

Non-gendered washrooms are the way we need to go, and if Carl DeGurse, the author of this article, doesn’t understand that, then maybe he should go before he leaves the house.

Kaitlyn Schuster

Winnipeg

I want to stress that single-sex facilities for females are essential for privacy, dignity and safety. It is a long-standing and reasonable expectation that spaces where women and girls are vulnerable or in a state of undress will not have males in them. I imagine that many men welcome privacy as well.

It is not progressive to remove this privacy. Keeping female and male spaces separate, and providing a unisex facility for those who wish it, should provide adequate accommodation for all.

Anne Belanger

Winnipeg

For me personally, as a non-binary person, women’s-only washrooms are uncomfortable and remind me that I don’t match societal expectations for gender performance. It is a reminder that as gender queer and/or trans people, non-binary folks are not accepted or well understood in our current world.

I must also acknowledge the privilege I carry as a white queer person. Many trans, gender non-conforming and non-binary people do not have the safety that I experience. Please consider the literal physical danger that queer folks experience around bathrooms, especially Indigenous, Black and other folks of colour.

Why can’t cisgender people adjust their lives to accommodate those of us who walk through life hidden, excluded, ridiculed and told we do not exist? Well, folks, we exist. Non-binary, gender queer and two-spirit people are here. We ask that you consider how our experiences in the world are impacted by cisgender demands for the status quo.

We ask that building policies shift to better include gender diverse people. Binary gendered washrooms are a thing of the past. We must do better.

Jasmine Thomas

Winnipeg

It is quite disheartening to see these opinion pieces discussing gender-neutral washrooms during Winnipeg’s Pride Week. This week is supposed to be about inclusivity and positivity for our queer folks and, quite frankly, it’s a huge step backwards reading these opinion pieces written by people whom I presume to be cisgender discussing their discomfort with gender-neutral washrooms.

Queer people (especially trans/non-binary/gender fluid/etc. people) have been fighting for years to feel safe and included in our communities. Places such as the West End Cultural Centre are doing that for them by taking that small step to include gender-neutral washrooms.

Kayleigh Dybanowski-Stokes

Winnipeg

I agree with Chantal Marion’s opinion that washrooms should provide dignity for all. When I next use the urinals in the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, I hope I can maintain my dignity as she joins me in standing for her rights.

John Lehr

Winnipeg