Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - July 16, 2024, Winnipeg, Manitoba Take action on homelessness Re: Residents demand action on homeless camp after senior assaulted (July 13) The headline should have read “Residents demand action on homelessness…” Yes, the people interviewed wanted action. However, the action most often cited was action on homelessness itself, not just to deal with the camp! Most of the people interviewed, including the man who was assaulted, reported primarily that what they want dealt with is homelessness — of which the encampments are merely outcomes of that deeper problem faced by the people in the camps. The headline missed that good news; suggest- ing that readers only see relevance in the prob- lems others face if the problem also impacts us. Based on this story and the many conversations I’ve had on the topic, I’m happy to report that is a false assumption. Let’s work together to create a Winnipeg where everyone has a fair chance of being housed and living well. JOHN DAVID PANKRATZ Winnipeg Freedom to dismiss words U.S. President Joe Biden has stated that it is time to cool down political passions. Most people would agree with him. One thing that might assist the achievement of this goal is to remember that a politician’s speeches are just words in the air. They only become dangerous when you and I believe them and choose to act on them. We have the freedom to say: “That’s nonsense,” and to dismiss the words from our minds. Politicians only are dangerous if we choose to believe them. Act accordingly. KURT CLYDE Winnipeg Disturbing revelations Re: Horses face harrowing journey to Japan (Think Tank, July 13) It is disturbing that Canada’s animal transpor- tation laws, already recognized as some of the poorest in the developed world, can be violated with impunity. Depending on species, animals can be legally transported for 28 to 36 hours with no food water or rest in all extremes of tempera- ture. Incredibly, the time limit is 72 hours for newly hatched chicks being shipped via Canada Post. Given that horses being exported to Japan for slaughter are being sold for $8,000 to $9,000 each, there is a vested interest in having them arrive at their destination alive, at the very least, whereas the 1.6 million animals who die en route to slaughter houses every year domestically are, apparently, the cost of doing business. Opponents of Bill C-355, which would prohibit the export of horses for slaughter by air, invoked the “slippery slope” argument. The question has to be, slippery slope to what? A more compassion- ate world? Sure seems like an uphill battle to me. DEBBIE WALL Winnipeg It’s appalling to me that the Canada Food Inspection Agency and horse shipments are even mentioned in the same article. Horses should not be food regulated by such an agency. Horses have helped build this country and deserve our respect. They fought in wars, plowed fields, helped with construction and numerous other roles in Canada. Where would we be with- out them? That a privileged few get to profit and fill their bellies on such a beautiful and historically important animal is shocking. While Bill C-355 (bill to ban the live export of Canadian horses) is in the Senate, there should be a stop to these shipments. Upon returning, the Senate should fast track the bill, and stop this abhorrent industry for good! LAURA POTTS Winnipeg Jessica Scott-Reid paints a pretty good picture in her brief summation regarding the conditions these horses endure on their way to slaughter in Japan. I’ve seen the horses being loaded up on the tar- mac at the airport here in Winnipeg as well. Bone chilling -30 weather and they’ve been loaded into these crates for hours waiting for the plane to arrive. Any animal lover, pet lover, human being with an ounce of compassion would be visibly upset to see this unfolding. The disregard and lack of respect for an animal that has received accolades for the service rendered in Canada’s history is shocking. These magnificent animals do not deserve the brutality being inflicted upon them. No animal does. The surplus of used up animals from the horse racing industry and horse enthusiasts that relin- quish their horses when they are tired of them or no longer can afford to properly care for them make these horses easy pickings for kill buyers at auction. Free Press readers may be shocked to know there are breeders in Canada that breed heavy (draft) horses specifically for selling to the overseas market for slaughter… usually around two years of age. Draft horses are big, so more money per animal and they are docile so easier for transport. Say what you will, there’s something inherently wrong with exporting live horses to be killed and eaten. Curtailing this is a start to putting things right. Thank you to those organizations like Manitoba Animal Save, the Winnipeg Humane Society and Animal Justice that are fighting for change. LOIS TAYLOR Winnipeg Soldier’s story touching Re: From northern Manitoba to a foxhole in Ukraine (July 12) The article written by Melissa Martin about Austin Lathlin-Bercier was brilliant. She writes from her heart and soul, and I cried. MYRA SMITH Winnipeg Reading this in-depth article written by Melissa Martin, Free Press writer-at- large, she portrayed an excellent account about a young soldier from Opaskywayak Cree Nation, located about 630 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg, on the banks of the Saskatchewan River. Austin Lathlin-Bercier enlisted as a volun- teer (International Legion’s Branch) into the Ukrainian army in March of 2022. Personally what I liked about this narrative is the chronological information provided, identify- ing that Austin, a member of the Cree Nation, a young man who had aspiration to enlist into the Canadian Armed Forces, but became a coura- geous member of the Ukrainian militia. This article mentions Lathlin-Bercier’s love of nature, particularly around Opaskwayak and his close relationship and connection with his family. These attributes had a bearing on his flexibility and mobility in the Ukrainian forces. The article highlights that during Austin’s time in the Ukrainian Army, this young soldier from Opaskywayak Cree Nation was loved and shared a deep bond with his brothers-in-arms, like Luka, a person that was rescued by Austin. What I find it very interesting and heart touching, that a person probably having no connection to Ukraine, lived on the other side of the world, but dedicated his young life to the causes of the war in a foreign country. Unfortunately, Lathlin-Bercier had become the first Manitoban known to be killed in combat in Ukraine, it really hurts to see that people like Austin knew the consequences, the risk involved, but he chose a different path in his life. I appreci- ate the coverage of this article about how Austin had an influence in the Ukrainian war. PETER JOHN MANASTYRSKY Winnipeg Praise for production On July 13 I attended MA-BUHAY! at Rainbow Stage. The production is excellent. Music, chore- ography, singing, costumes are second to none. The backdrop and special effects were created by Sisler High School students. The energy of the performers is outstanding. Intertwined in the vocal competition which is the basic story, there are three themes dealing with important family issues that stand the test of time. The band, directed and guided by Seanne Buenafe was fantastic. I wish this production much success in the future. They certainly deserve it. LOUISA RYZ Winnipeg LETTERS TO THE EDITOR WHAT’S YOUR TAKE? THE FREE PRESS WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU. The Free Press is committed to publishing a diverse selection of letters from a broad cross-section of our audience. The Free Press will also consider longer submissions for inclu- sion on our Think Tank page, which is a platform mandated to present a wide range of perspectives on issues of current interest. We welcome our readers’ feedback on articles and letters on these pages and in other sections of the Free Press ● Email: Letters: letters@winnipegfreepress.com Think Tank submissions: opinion@winnipegfreepress.com ● Post: Letters to the Editor, 1355 Mountain Ave., Winnipeg, R2X 3B6 Please include your name, address and daytime phone number. ● Follow us on Twitter @WFPEditorials OUR VIEW YOUR SAY COMMENT EDITOR: RUSSELL WANGERSKY 204-697-7269 ● RUSSELL.WANGERSKY@WINNIPEGFREEPRESS.COM A6 TUESDAY JULY 16, 2024 Safe consumption site long overdue I T appears at long last Manitoba will get its first supervised consumption site. Manitoba’s Addictions Minister Bernadette Smith on Friday announced $727,000 for the proposed site, which will be located in downtown Winnipeg. It will be an Indigenous-led operation run by the Aboriginal Health and Wellness Centre and is expected to open in 2025. It is good news for the many people struggling with addictions in Manitoba. Evidence from around the world, including 40 supervised consumption sites that exist in various parts of Canada, show the sites save lives by allowing people to consume their drugs under the observation of trained staff. Safe consumption sites also typically offer people access to addic- tions treatment and connect them with other vital front-line services. Manitoba’s site will go further by offering drug users primary medical care and mental health counselling, as well as amenities such as laundry facilities. The site will be designed not only to prevent fatal overdoses, but also to help people get the treatment and health care they need. It’s believed to be the first Indigenous-led safe con- sumption site in Canada. While the exact location of the proposed site has yet to be determined, organizers say it will be in the city’s core area and likely west of Main Street. It is expected that a suitable building will be chosen within the next few months. This site is long overdue. Manitoba has fallen behind other provinces such as British Columbia and Alberta in establishing safe consumption sites. The proposed site can’t come soon enough. There were a record 445 drug-related deaths in Manitoba in 2023, up from 418 the year before and 432 in 2021. There were 54 drug-related deaths alone in Manitoba in December 2023. It is a crisis that requires a comprehensive response by governments, not-for-profit agencies and the public. Manitoba’s proposed safe consumption site will not be without its detractors, including the Opposition Progressive Conservatives who, when in government up until last year, opposed the sites. They said funding should instead be used for treatment, a false dichotomy used by many opponents of safe consumption sites. Providing accessible treatment options to people suffering from addictions can be done while also offering them a safe place to consume drugs where staff can intervene in the case of an overdose. It is not an either-or proposition. Federal Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre is perhaps the most ardent opponent of safe con- sumption sites, calling them “drug dens” created by “wacko politicians” and “radical bureaucrats.” Despite the overwhelming evidence from around the world that they save lives and help connect people with much-needed treatment options, Poil- ievre has pledged that if his party wins govern- ment he will cut federal funding for the sites and use the federal Controlled Drugs and Substances Act to shut some of them down. That would be a massive step backwards in society’s efforts to reduce fatal overdoses and help people seek the treatment they need. It’s a challenge Manitoba’s new, proposed site may face when it opens its doors next year, likely the same year as a federal election. It remains to be seen how far Poilievre would go in shuttering the life-saving centres. For now, the Aboriginal Health and Wellness Centre and the Manitoba government should move forward with the project with a sense of urgency. Times is of the essence. Lives are at stake. EDITORIAL Published since 1872 on Treaty 1 territory and the homeland of the Métis MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES Addictions Minister Bernadette Smith ;