Letters, July 14

Winnipeg Free Press

10 hours ago

Opinion
Canada's fire programs among best
I was heavily involved in the wildfire management in Minnesota for about 40 years. During that period, MN DNR Forestry was involved with the Manitoba and Ontario wildfire programs through the Great Lakes Forest Fire Compact and other border agreements.
We are quite aware that Canada's wildfire programs are as good or better than any program on the planet. So when I read the letter that some of our politicians wrote that was critical of your forest management, I was embarrassed. It was like the drunk uncle at Thanksgiving. They don't have a clue about what they are talking about.
They are just trying to make political points. Please know that the vast majority of Minnesotans strongly support your programs and care deeply about the hardships you are dealing with. Hopefully we can send more fire resources to help you out. Be safe.
Doug Anderson
Cohasset, Minn.
Privatization and profit
Re: Cracks begin to appear in Kinew's rock-solid popularity (July 10)
Niigaan Sinclair reminds us of that figure of speech used in the 2023 Manitoba election: 'the economic horse pulls the social cart.' It signalled fiscal responsibility and that the NDP adhered to generally accepted views of the current economic reality.
Well, the horse and cart did their job! But is it that simple, or is the reverse closer to the truth — that the current capitalist economic structure depends on, and is parasitic on, the underlying social reality, i.e. the social cart actually supports the economy?
Some examples: start with unpaid reproductive labour (child care). As well, dependence on government for: workforce education and training; workforce maintenance during unemployment; public provision of health care; infrastructure development and upkeep; government's regulatory functions regarding international trade, electronic media, etc.; and extractive mining activities dependent on liabilities (externalities) falling on the environment and the public. Readers will have additional examples.
Yes, of course the economy and society are interrelated, but with the relentless privatizing of profits and socializing of costs, a rebalancing seems past due. The ever-increasing inequality of wealth distribution speaks to the urgency of attending to the kind of society and communities we want. In other words: 'What we desire for ourselves, we wish for all.'
Excuse me now while I look for my old 'People Before Profits' T-shirt.
Sig Laser
Winnipeg
A not-so-small difference
Re: Encampment realities (Letters, July 10)
Thank you for publishing my letter. However, a single word was changed that altered the meaning of a key sentence.
In my original submission, I wrote: '…and maybe watching a few tomatoes growing in a yard not shrouded in toxic, carcinogenic wire fire smoke.'
You changed it to: '…wildfire smoke.'
I did not mean wildfire — I meant wire fire, the toxic result of illegally burning insulated copper wire to remove its plastic coating. The bare copper is then sold for cash, often fuelling addiction. This has become a disturbingly common part of the informal encampment economy, especially along our riverbanks. I'm continually surprised by how many 911 dispatchers, police officers and public officials are unaware of this highly polluting practice.
When wire is burned without proper industrial filtration, it releases a cocktail of toxins — dioxins, furans, heavy metals (like lead, arsenic, and cadmium), and carcinogens — into our air, soil and water. The health risks of repeated exposure are well-documented: cancer, neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption and immune system damage, to name a few.
Thanks to ongoing encampments, many of us live in a near-constant haze of this smoke.
Police acknowledge this practice as a quick way for drug users to fund their habits. Firefighters extinguish the fires but often leave the wire behind, only for the burning to resume once they've gone. I've spoken with officers, city staff, councillors and even the mayor about this issue. The latter two remain silent; others simply shrug and ask, 'What can you do?'
Yes, the province has introduced a Scrap Metal Act to curb the sale of obviously stolen or burned metals — but the fires continue. Someone must still be buying.
This is a public health and environmental crisis hiding in plain sight. It deserves far more attention, accountability and action than it's currently getting.
Howard Warren
Winnipeg
Better way to paint
Re: Drivers warned to be on lookout for peeling licence plates (July 9)
The article about peeling licence plates got my ire up. My dad used to hang his old plates on the wall of his garage. None of them were peeling, and, in fact, looked as fresh as they did when new. Today's plates tend to peel after a few years of use, which I find outrageous.
Why can't they use painting methods that have proved tried and true?
Michael Dowling
Winnipeg
Smooth travelling
A good nation-building project for Canada and all the provinces with the help of their premiers would be to construct overpasses along the Trans-Canada Highway where problematic intersections exist.
These problematic intersections where deaths and serious accidents have occurred would become a thing of the past.
My friend who travelled extensively on U.S. highways says Canada could copy the U.S. system which has numerous overpasses built into their interstate highway system that reduce high-speed accidents and don't impede vehicle travel.
Robert J. Moskal
Winnipeg
A different air-quality problem
Re: Following our noses (July 5)
Walking in our city, we have to breathe the disgusting toxic smell of drier sheets flowing out of drier vents on laundry day. Drier sheets are unnecessary laundry additives that pollute our environment. While many chemicals in dryer sheets are generally safe, concerns exist regarding the fragrances and volatile compounds they emit.
The production and disposal of dryer sheets contribute to environmental pollution. They are single-use products that generate waste and can release harmful chemicals into the air and water systems.
Alternatives to dryer sheets are wool dryer balls (a dollar store buy) or adding vinegar to the rinse cycle.
Perfume, air fresheners and cleaning products are also toxic to people who are scent sensitive. Strong odors and scents can be a trigger for headaches, nausea and asthma symptoms. Workplace and gyms have signs reminding people to be scent-free.
Let's each do our part to keep our environment cleaner and free of toxins.
Sharon Kletke
Winnipeg
Need for more housing
Re: Proposed 16-storey Market Lands tower out of step with Exchange area: city planners (July 8)
I am writing in response to your recent article on the proposed 16-storey Market Lands tower — in complete support of it.
The City of Winnipeg's prime concern should be adding residential units to its downtown, not limiting the height of such buildings. More residents improves the neighbourhood. It not only increases security in the streets, but provides customers for all of the shops and restaurants in the area and local residential opportunities for those who work in those or in offices in the area, and wish to commute to work on foot or by bicycle.
A dynamic and thriving downtown needs one thing more than any other, and that is a resident population, not commuters. I say the taller the better for residential structures for that very reason.
If architectural details of the building should be made to conform to the historic character of the area, that would be a much more salient point for the city to make, not its height.
Roy C. Dudgeon
Winnipeg