Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - January 30, 2025, Winnipeg, Manitoba Making do with less Re: Canada must stroke Trump’s ego — not start a trade war (Jan. 29) I totally agree that we must do our best to fig- ure out how to avoid or at least minimize a trade war with the United States. And indeed, the most effective strategy may be to give Trump as many “wins” as possible rather than be as confronta- tional as possible. But why does the conversation we have been having seem to be only about our future econom- ic prosperity and attaining the highest economic standard of living possible? While economic well-being is undoubtedly important and mat- ters, I wonder if there is something else equally important that we don’t seem to be talking about enough, if at all. By this I mean, shouldn’t we also be having a conversation about the upside of accepting a somewhat lower standard of living in exchange for greater economic stability and autonomy (and hence less economic vulnerability). In other words, to find ways to lessen our dependence on trade with the U.S. even if this means that some of us will have to be OK with less. No one should pretend this would be an easy conversation but wouldn’t it be worthwhile hav- ing? GERALD FARTHING Winnipeg COVID report a slap in the face Re: Alberta doctors criticizes COVID-19 report as ‘anti-science’ (Jan. 28) Many critics of COVID policies discount sci- ence for diverse reasons, including claims like scientists always endorse views desired by fund- ing sources. Although mostly false, it can occur, ironically as demonstrated by this report critical of COVID policies. A few minutes on Google reveals that every contributor to the report had a critical stance on COVID prior to the committee being formed, and some had skeptical views about vaccines even earlier. How could such a biased committee be formed? Three basic steps. Premier Danielle Smith ap- points a known critic of COVID policies as chair. Then the chair is authorized to select all of the other members. Finally, the chair selects only in- dividuals known to be critical of COVID policies. The final product, arguably intended by Smith, is not only anti-science, but also a slap in the face to the many health professionals in Alberta who worked hard and diligently to cope with COVID under trying conditions, as well as the many Albertans who acted in good faith to minimize the harm. JIM CLARK Winnipeg Soured friendship Re: Feb. 1 tariff date ‘still on the books’ (Jan. 29) We await Feb. 1 to see if U.S. President Donald Trump will follow through on his threat to im- pose tariffs on Canadian goods. Will we breathe a sigh of relief believing that the status quo will live another day, or will we retaliate with tariffs of our own? In either case, we should know that our partner and friend to the south is neither a respectful partner nor friend. However this turns out, it is time for Canadians to address barriers to inter- provincial trade, to increase productivity, to add value to our raw materials and natural resources, and to enhance trading relationships with others while decreasing our trade dependency on the U.S. DONALD PETERS Winnipeg Don’t make the taxpayer lose out Here’s an open letter to elected leaders, both federal and provincial. First and foremost, fix Canada’s provincial cross-border taxation. It’s like we all live in dif- ferent countries rather than different provinces! Are you prepared to add to our cost of living by having a trade war where the only loser is the Canadian taxpayer, who has to shell out extra money for imports? If we do nothing, the losers will be the U.S. consumers — not us, since they will pay more for imported goods! Do not raise import taxes/duties if you want to have any hope of getting elected next time. Lastly, work on expanding our trade with other countries so we are not so dependent on the U.S. One suggestion that has been mentioned is to motivate companies to move some of their man- ufacturing to Canada through special incentives, including lower taxes. That’s what Trump is proposing, why can we not do something similar, or even more enticing? MURRAY FALLEN Courtenay, B.C. Recognizing a threat Re: ‘Never again’ losing ground: Trudeau (Jan. 29) We all need to review the horrifying truth about Hitler and Nazi Germany. Now look at what Trump is doing. We need to acknowledge that Trump’s supporters violently attempted to over- throw an elected government. That they were legitimately prosecuted and sentenced, and that Trump overthrew that sentencing and released these armed paramilitaries back into U.S. society, within the first moments of his presidency. We need to see the similarities where Hit- ler designated Jews as subhuman and Trump has designated undocumented Latin American workers as criminals, for mass deportations. That these deportations ensued on the first days of his presidency. Hitler’s threats to annex European countries, Trumps threats to annex Canada, Greenland and who knows who will be next. Hitler had his business tycoon supporters. Trump showed off a whole team of billionaire propagan- dists. The final kicker? A majority of American voters voted for this! Canadians have to wake up and take a stand. It’s not just about trade tariffs, as harmful as that will be. We need to remember the Holocaust because of the genocide that it was. Just as we need to remember the residential schools and the Indian Act as attempted genocide. Now we need to iden- tify the current threat to our world. It’s not “just” a trade war. It’s fascism. GLORIA ENNS Winnipeg Window of opportunity closing Re: Granite campaigns to save parking lot (Jan. 28) We’re in a short window of opportunity where the city has funding and political will to support the development of deeply affordable housing. Why? Because there are encampments across our city, young adults staying at home until they’re 30, and seniors skipping medicine and meals be- cause of the high cost of rent. Winnipeggers want our elected officials to respond to this housing crisis quickly. And yet, in this window, the executive of the Granite Curling Club is arguing to save a parking lot. Let’s be clear: slowing down approval on this project means that the window will shut and whatever gets built will not be affordable. Maybe that’s what the curling club executive actually wants? CHRISTINA MAES NINO Winnipeg Putting students’ needs first Re: “Reworking regulations” (Letters, Jan. 28) Thanks to Vern Kebernik for his comments regarding the assessment of students experienc- ing learning issues. It is an area often overlooked in developing policies related to literacy develop- ment in general. While clinical specialists (such as psycholo- gists, speech/language clinicians and reading clinicians) are an essential element in planning for individual students, I think it is important that a team perspective be maintained throughout and that the team be inclusive: school staff, parents and, when appropriate, the student. Participants in teams each bring their own points of view, which need to be integrated. In my experience, keeping one question front and centre can serve as a catalyst for planning: What does the student need right now? EDWIN BUETTNER 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. OUR VIEW YOUR SAY COMMENT EDITOR: RUSSELL WANGERSKY 204-697-7269 ● RUSSELL.WANGERSKY@WINNIPEGFREEPRESS.COM A6 THURSDAY JANUARY 30, 2025 New passing lanes an investment in safety I T’S a change that is long overdue. The Manitoba government announced last week that passing lanes will be constructed at various spots along the heavily travelled portion of Highway 8 that runs between Selkirk and Gim- li. The 54-kilometre stretch of two-lane roadway is among the province’s busiest, particularly during summer months, when it connects city residents with the beaches on the west side of Lake Winnipeg’s southern basin. It’s during those times, when daily traffic volumes can exceed 4,500 vehicles, that driving on Highway 8 can be perilous, owing to the incli- nation of some impatient drivers to attempt dan- gerous multi-vehicle passing manoeuvres while traffic is essentially bumper to bumper, despite a steady stream of vehicles approaching from the opposite direction that makes it unsafe to do so. At least three fatalities have occurred as a result of head-on collisions on the single-lane portion of Highway 8 since 2021. The potential for disaster is such that many who live along the highway full-time opt for alternate routes during high-traffic seasons. “Most of us locals in the summer use (differ- ent) highways,” says Gimli resident Teri Nichol- son, who initiated an online petition urging the province to add passing lanes. “Most of us would refuse to drive on Highway 8 because you’re taking your life in your hands.” As anyone who has regularly travelled the Manitoba portion of Highway 16 — a.k.a. the Yellowhead Highway — that stretches northwest from just west of Portage la Prairie to Neepawa can attest, the addition of passing lanes at regular intervals can contribute greatly to the safety and confidence with which motorists can navigate a single-lane route. With passing lanes constructed and the distanc- es to the next safe-passing zones clearly posted, most of those twitchy-toed drivers whose behind- the-wheel imprudence might prompt a perilous pass are able to temporarily suppress the urge. The passing-lane project for Highway 8 is currently in the design phase, but the Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure website states construction is expected to begin this summer and be completed by the fall of 2026. The number of passing lanes that will be added and the overall cost of the project have not been made available. Nicholson’s petition, which included approx- imately 1,100 signatures, was delivered last September to the office of Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Lisa Naylor. A spokes- person for the department said planning for the passing lanes on Highway 8 predates the petition and is a result of the regular process of “assess- ing traffic volumes and safety priorities.” The province is to be commended for final- ly taking this necessary and relatively bud- get-friendly step (compared to fully twinning the highway) to make one of southern Manitoba’s crucial city-to-cottage arteries safer for those who depend on it. While it’s overdue, it’s also a change that shouldn’t be necessary, but for the selfish and impetuous behaviour of some drivers whose reckless roadway antics make it so. And it’s not a panacea. Even with the presence of strategically positioned passing lanes along Highway 8, there will be some whose worrisome level of self-ab- sorption and reckless disregard will continue to propel them into dangerous passing moves in heavy single-lane traffic. As such, and as it always is when one is behind the wheel of a motor vehicle, extreme caution during highway travel will continue to be re- quired. But any measure that improves the odds of Manitobans getting safely to and from their well- earned getaways on this province’s beloved lakes and beaches is a job well done. EDITORIAL Published since 1872 on Treaty 1 territory and the homeland of the Métis MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Lisa Naylor ;