Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - July 23, 2013, Winnipeg, Manitoba C M Y K PAGE A8 EDITORIALS WINNIPEG FREE PRESS, TUESDAY, JULY 23, 2013 Freedom of Trade Liberty of Religion Equality of Civil Rights A 8 COMMENT EDITOR: Gerald Flood 204- 697- 7269 gerald. flood@ freepress. mb. ca winnipegfreepress. com EDITORIAL T HE federal government's so- called Economic Action Plan could have been a worthwhile endeavour, except for two serious flaws: Almost no one bothered to visit the government website for more information, and even if they had, some of the programs being advertised do not actually exist, at least not yet. The Canada Jobs Grant, for example, won't be available until next year if negotiations with the provinces succeed. Other advertisements are purely political, such as promoting measures the government is taking to protect the environment and promote Canadian history. Some programs, however, such as apprenticeship training grants are real and the government's website provides useful information about how applicants can receive cash grants to get valuable training. The Economic Action Plan thus far, in other words, is a mixed bag of partisan politics and valuable information that is worth disseminating. It's unclear why the website has received such little interest from Canadians, but it could well be Canadians are becoming conditioned to tuning out government information that isn't focused on immediate results, such as cash for home renovations or basement upgrades to prevent flooding and so on. The government has spent $ 113 million on advertising for the action plan in the last four years, which is drawing criticism as both wasteful and unethical, since at least part of the spending serves no legitimate purpose other than to promote the Harper government. Partisan critics should not be too smug, however, because abuse of government advertising is common across Canada and the political spectrum. The Manitoba government, for example, has shamelessly abused taxpayers' funds with blatant political advertising. Among many examples, the government purchased a series of ads promoting its export achievements on the eve of the 2007 general election. These were ads that served absolutely no useful purpose, other than to broadcast the NDP's name. More recently, the Selinger government used public monies to pay for 30- second television spots that boasted " Manitoba has changed a lot over the last decade." It went on to say that the recent budget focused on " what matters most to families," without ever mentioning the increase in the provincial sales tax. Manitoba Hydro is also promoting its controversial $ 19- billion development plans in face of stiff opposition. In British Columbia, the abuse of political advertising has sparked a campaign for legislation that would outlaw the practice. Indeed, it's past time standards were developed that would prevent ruling parties from abusing their positions - and the taxpayer - with advertising that might serve their interests, but does nothing for taxpayers, except pinch their pockets. Firing the province Thanks to Jim Collinson for articulating what so many Manitobans are feeling regarding Bipole III ( Bipole III still could benefit all, July 22). My question is: Can we fire the provincial government? In my work ( real estate), I have recently seen a condominium corporation fire its board of directors because they no longer reflected the wishes of the unit owners. That is democracy at work. With the ongoing debacle about our illegal PST increase here in Manitoba ( already many millions of dollars taken out of the economy), and the absolute intransigence of the government on the Hydro file, I don't think we should have to wait for the next election. Let's get rid of them now. ANDREA SEWELL Winnipeg �� After reading Jim Collinson on Bipole III, and other writers previous, it seems to me Premier Greg Selinger wants to get Manitoba Hydro so indebted it would be impossible for any government to ever sell it. DON TRUEMAN Winnipeg Fans need to rally As an enthusiastic Bomber fan, I was disappointing by the response of the crowd and the media to the July 19 loss to the Toronto Argonauts. First of all, Ricky Ray was superb. He had an incredible game. It was one of his best of all time, a Hall of Fame game, a CFL record for completion percentage. Second, the Bombers have been battling injuries. Four of their defensive starters including Bryant Turner, Terrell Parker, Desia Dunn and JT Gilmore were missing. Of their top receivers, Chris Matthews, Corey Watson, Terrence Edwards and Kito Poblah were absent. Add in Andre Douglas, the tackle, and long snapper Chris Cvetkovic and we were missing key personnel. They were missing nine out of 24 or 38 per cent of their starting lineup. Now Pierce is injured. That makes more than 40 per cent. It's tough to blame Pierce, because he was missing his four best receivers. Come on, Manitoba. Let's cheer our boys to the end. They need our support. NORMA JONES Winnipeg �� So the Blue Bombers are 11- 22 since Sept. 4, 2011. Does anyone still think Paul LaPolice was the problem? Try aiming higher - such as the team's unelected and unaccountable board. Then start working your way down, not the other way around. DEREK HOLTOM Winnipeg More protection needed We applaud your July 12 editorial Protect those who protect public good on the need for stronger provincial legislation to protect whistleblowers. Not only does Manitoba's Public Interest Disclosure Act require much more protective teeth for whistle blowers of all stripes, so too do provincial and federal laws across Canada. We may be a modern nation, but our current protection for whistleblowers are Third World. Like all whistleblowers, Ted Ducharme suffered reprisal when the Manitoba Association of Native Firefighters brought suit against him. In our experience, supporting Canada's whistleblowers, we have learned that these public reprisals are only part of the story. Behind the scenes whistleblowers are vilified personally and professionally by the organizations they speak out against. These reprisals succeed in silencing others who might otherwise speak out as well. Public support of whistleblowers, while welcomed, is not enough. Laws are required to protect whistleblowers from directed reprisals such a lawsuits, as well as to aid them in their recovery from the physical, emotional and financial trauma that they inevitably experience. Only then will people like Ducharme feel protected when they protect the public good. CECILIA BASIC Canadians for Accountability Ottawa Missing opportunities Re: Pay for civil servants at risk: NDP's Howard ( July 19) . Progressive Conservative Leader Brian Pallister is already showing signs of what we could expect should he bring the Conservatives into government next election. The PCs have missed ample opportunity to present real alternatives to the one percentage point PST increase, and instead have run a dogand- pony show of filibusters and parliamentary tactics. Pallister is pandering to the public for his own political ambitions, leaving Economics 101 at the doorstep, and seeking to undermine the decade of growth we have come to see in this province. The NDP has weathered both hell and high water, literally: the hell of a global economic crisis, and the high water of devastating floods. Pallister's pony has only one trick, and Manitobans would do well to see past his rhetoric. DAVID JACKS Winnipeg Typical conservative bias The July 20 article re- printed from The Economist, Castro's management of ' free' market is doomed, shows the typical conservative bias of that publication. The author states categorically a " socialist, prosperous and sustainable" economy is an impossibility. If he were to consult some less biased sources, he would learn the Scandinavian countries have had precisely this type of economy for 100 years. He would also learn that, as a result, these countries rate higher than Canada or the U. S. on every measure of quality of life. BILL ROLLS Emerson HAVE YOUR SAY: The Free Press welcomes letters from readers. Include the author's name, address and telephone number. Letters may be edited. Letters to the Editor, 1355 Mountain Avenue, Winnipeg, R2X 3B6. Fax 697- 7412. Email letters@ freepress. mb. ca Letters represent the opinions of their writers and do not reflect the opinions of the Winnipeg Free Press or its staff. �� LETTER OF THE DAY I agree with the July 19 editorial Canada's legacy of abuse that the treatment of our aboriginal peoples is " Canada's enduring dirty secret." Apology aside, what resolutions have we seen from federal government leaders since 2008? What signal does our prime minister send to Canadians with his weak response to cries for help from First Nations leaders? Symbolism can be powerful. In contrast to the American leader, who is not afraid to speak up for his people, our leaders are mysteriously silent publicly on First Nations issues even when they are brought to the forefront with the Idle No More movement. Are they hiding behind an indifferent public mindset? It's absolutely correct to describe the history of abuse as " horrific treatment." It is even more awful when we realize most of the abuse was directed toward children. Bold steps are needed. Sadly, I don't see any sign of resolve coming from our current government. JANICE ISOPP Selkirk Idle No More demonstrators gather in London, Ont., in March. Leaders send weak signals I T definitely wasn't in good taste, but was it art, and does it even matter? A Winnipeg Fringe Festival show, Hollywood Hen Pit , caused a ruckus with some patrons because of its reliance on defecation and ( simulated) oral sex to make a point, although exactly what point isn't clear. As shock art, it certainly worked, far exceeding art shows that featured dead rabbits hanging from a tree and a woman wearing a dress made of rotten meat. In the case of the fringe play, the mistake was not to warn audiences that it was disgusting, pointless ( except in the minds of the artists), humourless and obscene. If after such a warning, people still wanted to pay for the experience, well, whatever turns you on. It may not have been high art, but this is theatre " on the fringe," where risk- takers are encouraged, even if they frequently take audiences where they have never gone before. But after Hollywood Hen Pit , is there anywhere else to go? Final frontier Political ads out of control A_ 08_ Jul- 23- 13_ FP_ 01. indd A8 7/ 22/ 13 6: 06: 09 PM ;