Letters, February 7 – Winnipeg Free Press

Opinion

Geothermal heating

Again: Environmental groups are urging the NDP to address geothermal heating (February 6)

During the learning process leading up to the decision to replace our aging natural gas system with a geothermal system at Meadowwood United Church, we learned that there is a lot of misunderstanding about geothermal heating and cooling. We've heard so many concerns and fears about the technology that we're afraid to invest in it as a result. After learning, the community made a commitment, and we are now trying to raise money.

The technology isn't new, it's well-tested, but awareness is lacking and fear is nothing like what fueled opposition to gasification in the 1950s. Isn't that ironic. We agree that the government should encourage early adoption for homes, but the same should be done for public facilities that are visible in the community. The initial cost of geothermal exceeds that of natural gas, but considering the real costs of destruction from continuing to burn fossil fuels, it's a bargain.

However, a non-profit organization such as a congregation is the only one to fund this. Until there is wider adoption and lower costs, as they have seen with solar panels, the government needs to support groups like us who can make the conversion and show the whole community what it is. maybe

We've made our case, and we hope the NDP listens quickly and carefully.

Caryn Douglas,

Minister, United Church of Meadowwood

Winnipeg

In 2005 we retired and moved from Ottawa to Portage la Prairie where we made our home.

After checking out geothermal heating in Ontario and the cost of drilling granite in the Canadian Shield, we came to mud like milk and honey and the simplicity of construction. Because we have this way of using electricity at home, we have saved all of our Manitoba Hydro bills and added them up each year to see our average monthly costs.

In-floor heating, hot water, air conditioning from geothermal heating, and gas for cooking and a 1,750-square-foot home averaged $225 a month over the past 15 years. We paid for the additional cost of installing geothermal (gas or oil or electricity) in 6.4 years.

This city council and others in Manitoba could require new homes to use this system because it's one of the easiest ways to use the clay seabed we've ever had. Are there tax benefits? Or shake your head?

If pensioners put solar panels on the roof and use the wind.

Bill Knott and Yvette Sooke

Portage la Prairie

Questionable calculations

After the election, everything changed quickly. I remember the Prime Minister voicing support for public sector workers several times during the election campaign, and I don't recall him or his party expressing concern about hybrid jobs until recently.

I too want downtown to thrive, but I don't understand the math some people use to support the argument that full-time office workers will allow their businesses to thrive. People have a lot of money to spend. I spend the same amount downtown regardless of how many days I work (perhaps one lunch every two or three months).

If I had to spend more time and money on the itinerary, I might spend less at restaurants. (A lot has been said about the state of public transportation.) I'd rather spend money on a meal at a restaurant if I can sit down and enjoy it instead of rushing to lunch. I avoid buying drinks because of cost and environmental impact.

Employers and businesses need to listen and respond to their employees and potential customers, creating attractive spaces and value for them. Unlike the Prime Minister, the average worker has no control over the culture of his workplace. Some prefer to physically distance themselves from any workplace dysfunction. The average remote or hybrid employee has learned how to collaborate using technology. The benefits of work-life balance have been discussed many times.

Telling people where to work is too simplistic a solution and will not automatically translate into an improved culture or thriving city centre. However, it may affect the voting of those most affected in the next election.

Michelle Burdz

Winnipeg

Extremely translated

During COVID, I often called my favorite restaurants and ordered takeout.

Normally, I wouldn't recommend ordering takeout, as bagging it and getting my payment is part of any business, but since the servers are currently out of service, I made an exception by tipping them.

Since the onset of COVID, it seems that many companies have chosen to take advantage of our generosity in these unprecedented times to install their manual payment devices, adding a remittance option starting at a minimum of 15 percent. This makes many of us feel guilty about tipping, where, in my opinion (and probably most of us) it is completely inappropriate because, as always, these businesses have never considered themselves deserving of “tips” as opposed to hospitality. a sector whose workers rely on tips for a living.

In our recent experience, we took our puppy to the groomer for his first haircut. We were worried that it would not be good.

When we went to pick up our puppy, they gave us a tip without seeing our dog's haircut or answering our questions about his initial grooming. (I'm still debating whether to tip the dog sitter. Maybe a gift certificate or a nice bottle of wine at Christmas, all based on good relationship, not obligation.)

Grading is a privilege, not an obligation. We, as a society, must maintain this privilege for the great services provided by the hardworking people in the hospitality industry. Let's not let these undeserving businesses take away that advantage.

Brad Enns

Winnipeg

Where is the investigation?

Again: World Junior Hockey violence case goes to court (February 5)

In that article, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said that “the most responsible and prudent thing for us to do is to wait until the end of the legal process, and then we will respond appropriately.” Are we seeing a pattern where employers such as the NHL, the University of Manitoba and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba are not conducting their own investigations into their employees, but instead turning to the police and criminal justice system?

Shouldn't these organizations be trying to learn as much as possible about employee misconduct without interfering with police investigations? It took six years for police in London to press charges of sexual assault involving a youth hockey player. How long does it take to resolve criminal charges?

What would be the “appropriate” response if these players were found not guilty of the charges?

An employer must make a decision based on a balance of probabilities “beyond reasonable doubt” as to whether the employee's actions breached the fundamental trust that must exist between employer and employee.

Unfortunately, some organizations don't seem to trust their investigative skills. If what we've seen from the London Police Service is any indication, I'm not sure we can trust the police investigation.

Mc Horsburgh

Winnipeg