Letters, April 10 – Winnipeg Free Press

Opinion

Invisible disturbances

Winnipeg takes its fair share of hits. I often champion our wonderful city to the uninitiated for its woodlands, affordable housing, vibrant arts community, amazing museums, beautiful parks, world-class attractions like the Canadian Museum of Human Rights, The Leaf and The Forks. Winnipeg is home to Folklorama, the Winnipeg Folk Festival, and has a large French-speaking community.

Unfortunately, my weekend trips ruined my civic pride. After attending a star-studded performance at the Royal Manitoba Theater Center, my husband and I were horrified by the trash in front of the Pantages. The area was so uncomfortable and unsightly. We stood there and looked at City Hall, the concert hall and RMTC and knew that hundreds of other people had gone through this nasty mess. Debris piled up among the bushes suggests it has been there for some time.

We took a bike for the first round of spring. Unfortunately, the iconic bike paths are “slippery” with sand and gravel, making walking, walking, and any form of active transit extremely fragile and dangerous for young and old alike. After being closed for construction for months last year, the active transit route connecting Harrow Street to Pembina Highway has reopened.

There is an unpaved 50-foot section of the bike path. All active transit trail users must navigate deep construction ruts of mud and gravel, making this trail extremely dangerous to use and impassable for mobile users.

All of this made it sad that our city did not prioritize keeping public spaces clean and accessible. I think the things I mentioned are easy wins. More effort is needed in these areas. People want a positive experience in the city center and when using active transit routes. I would like to add these things to the list of positive things about Winnipeg.

Laurie Tighe

Winnipeg

A more philosophical approach

It is often said that the political temperature in Canada has risen recently. We seem to have dozens of advocacy groups that consider their concern an emergency or crisis.

At the age of 73, I have seen many problems come and go. What amazes me is how many of these issues are ignored or forgotten.

We focus too much on the problems of today, not realizing that in ten years these problems will fade from the public consciousness.

By adopting a philosophical approach to life, we gain a more appropriate approach to political life.

Worth a try.

Kurt Clyde

Winnipeg

Taxes have their purposes

I find it interesting to see how the mere mention of the word “tax” can make people angry.

Our governments raise the vast majority of their revenue to fund public services through taxes, such as federal revenue, provincial revenue, municipal, goods and services, provincial sales, fuel, tobacco and carbon.

Public outcry over the recent carbon tax, which raised the cost of a liter of gas by three cents, has given Pierre Pouilleuvre the national “tax ax” fame. His mantra and rallying cry reminds me of our southern neighbors with their “MAGA” rhetoric.

It doesn't matter to the vast majority of his supporters or his conservative colleagues that this carbon tax has been proven time and time again to be the most effective way to reduce fossil fuel consumption, or that it won't significantly increase its cost. to live People love to hate taxes.

When our provincial government chose to waive the provincial tax of 14 cents per liter for six months (now extended for three months), the public cheered and claimed it made life much more affordable. In the two months since that decline, gasoline prices have risen twice, far outpacing the fall due to the increase in the base price of oil per barrel in oil-producing countries. Where was the protest against oil companies raising prices?

Do these same people who claim to be so angry have alternative plans, or even care about the future of our planet?

We should not be angry and come up with solutions to reduce the damage that is happening to our environment.

Interestingly, the countries with the highest levels of happiness are also known to have the highest taxes.

Alice is French

Winnipeg

There is a carbon tax

Again: A tale of two taxes (Thinking Center, April 9)

Rochelle Squires' comments appear to be critical of both taxes; the widely misunderstood (thanks to Pierre Pouillevre) federal carbon tax and the NDP's revised scheme for homeowner tax credits, which is meant to partially offset school taxes levied as part of the property tax bill. I have no problem with either tax.

A carbon tax, while complex, is designed to combat climate change, which conservative politicians don't seem to think is important. If they take the time to discuss this with young people, they might find that the next generation is very concerned about the mess we are making that they will have to live with.

Revisions to property tax credits will result in cuts for ordinary people and increases for those who can afford to pay more. I think it goes against the old Conservative mantra of taking from the poor and rewarding the rich, but I love it, even though it costs our households more money.

It's all about good government and responsible governance and cleaning up the mess left by former prime ministers Brian Pallister and Heather Stefanson.

Tom Pearson

Winnipeg

Cruelty does not understand

Again: Selling words of torture (Editorial, April 8)

The online trade of hurtful words is disturbing, as is the deliberate peddling of divisive lies and the propagation of those lies through willful ignorance or mental health damage, all with names attached.

Although I am aware of these activities, I do not personally experience them as I do not engage with the social platforms that exist. However, I can see their consequences and the damage caused.

What I have seen through the mainstream media, both through factual reporting and recorded footage of people speaking, can be equally disturbing. It is hard to fathom the absolute insanity created by our Canadian politicians in our neighboring country and our own. I see, I hear, but I try to understand what my eyes and ears say.

Lust for power? It seems to be more than that.

The people in my social circle, the service people I interact with, such as people in grocery stores and restaurants, the people I casually talk to, young and old, seem to share this experience of disbelieving thinking and speaking.

I'd like to believe that it's the small majority that spouts hurtful nonsense, but that doesn't seem to be the case.

I know of a group of youths who are involved in politics indiscriminately and have direct links with seasoned politicians who do and do things that I believe are disrespectful to our Prime Minister. So I know it's real.

I don't understand. I'm not really. How did we get here? What combination of failures in parenting, failures in public education, and failures in the economic structure that encourages and rewards such behavior has led to this madness?

I am hurt, confused, angry, and deeply depressed, but I do not accept simple blame and the publication of willful and hurtful lies.

Garrett Loppky

Winnipeg