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Winnipeg Free Press
04-07-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
Finding solutions for a city's decline
Opinion When I put my words together to write Winnipeg: Not the city it was (Free Press, June 19), I never could have anticipated the reaction. I expected there'd be some response, but to receive the countless private messages, emails and texts from strangers, neighbours, friends, colleagues and long-lost family was nothing short of incredible. I would have preferred to have been called names or told that I was completely off base, wrong or hyperbolic. But no. Russell Wangersky/Free Press Fear shouldn't be a constant part of life in Winnipeg. Almost every message I received was heartbreaking because it spoke to the same pain, hardship and frustrations that I'd shared. A whole lot of Winnipeggers are tired of living in fear. They're upset, worried and angry. Many, like me, feel helpless, and are trying hard to stay hopeful but not always succeeding. One woman was shaken up recently after someone on the bus threw a heavy object in anger toward another passenger, hitting her head. She has no choice but to take the bus to get out and do things. While on a limited income, and without a car, she remains active in the community and would very much like to stay that way, but incidents like that one aren't new for her. And she's understandably afraid. Another woman, who works full-time shifts on different days and at different times, shared about the disturbing acts of violence and disregard for life that she continues to witness as she gets to and from work every day. On the bus and in and around bus stops, she has witnessed more than anyone would ever want to see. Unlike me, she doesn't have the option of working from home. A friend of mine with a physical disability shared that safety is a real and growing concern for her. 'I have become afraid to take the bus because, in the event of a violent or chaotic situation, I may not be able to exit quickly enough. That fear is real, and I know I am not alone in it.' I also heard from others who'd been threatened with physical harm — with weapons — and loss of employment. My god. At what point do we stop, take note of the severity of this stuff and make changes? We can't ignore the fact that witnessing the distress and dangerous situations we see and experience on buses and city streets has an unmistakable impact on us. I personally have been shaken to the core and left with at times debilitating anxiety because of it. There is an impact, not only on those who are struggling with mental health and addiction issues, but on everyone else in and on their path. Most of us are affected by it in some way. And no, our city's problems aren't caused by any one particular group or one specific issue. There are cumulative effects to long-term denial and avoidance. We've been looking away from each other instead of moving closer. We are becoming immune to the suffering of others and that should scare the you-know-what out of us. There should never be shame in sharing our stories. All of us are precious beings. It seems like we're somehow losing our shared humanity. Disrespect is rampant. How can we rebuild accountability into everyday life? Can we teach self-respect — and respect in the broader sense? Can we inspire those things in how we treat people? How can we make things better for everyone? Fostering a sense of connection and belonging is hugely important. Supporting grassroots groups who are doing that work is crucial. Mentoring young people is essential. (Personally, I think the biggest hope lies with instilling teachings into our younger generations: love, peace, consequences, pride in ourselves and in our communities. Do we remember those things?) Supporting the vulnerable is a must. Encouraging a bigger conversation is necessary. Some people are afraid to even mention what happened to them. They're scared and staying quiet because of it. Somehow that's become normalized: hiding in our fear. Weekday Evenings Today's must-read stories and a roundup of the day's headlines, delivered every evening. I'm convinced that we can do a whole lot better than that. And it doesn't require more research or committees. That work has been done and endlessly redone. It just needs our collective attention. How about we plant seeds, thoughts and ideas that grow into happier and healthier communities? And try to remember what could be, instead of blindly accepting what is. Humans are capable of so much better and more than we seem to have accepted. Why have we given up? Enough with the judgments, the labels and the fear. Where's the heart in our interactions? Maybe we need a public education campaign focusing on that. Flash mobs spreading music, art and education, reminding all of us that everyone matters, showing us what joy feels and looks like. Other cities and countries around the world are safer and happier. We, here, can be too. Winnipeg used to be so much more. I choose to believe it can be that again. Janine LeGal is a local freelance writer and community activist.
Winnipeg Free Press
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Street names and recognizing public figures
Opinion 'A rose by any other name would smell as sweet,' William Shakespeare famously wrote in his play, Romeo and Juliet. The problem is, sometimes the bloom falls off the rose, and other times, the smell becomes something that isn't sweet at all. A year ago, Bishop Grandin Boulevard was renamed Abinojii Mikanah, a name that translates to 'children's way' in Anishinaabemowin. Bishop Grandin Trail became Awasisak Meskanôw — 'the children's road' in Ininimowin, or Cree, and Grandin Street, which runs from Taché Avenue to St. Joseph Street in St. Boniface became Taapweewin, which means 'truth' in Michif. Russell Wangersky / Free Press A street sign for Wolseley Avenue The name changes all came because of the recognition of the extent of Bishop Vital Grandin's troubling role in establishing residential schools. With that change in mind, it may well be a reckoning is coming for Wolseley the school, Wolseley the avenue, and maybe even Wolseley the neighbourhood — to cite just one other troubling name from the past. Wolseley School's parent council has looked at the possibility of changing the school's name, and the Winnipeg School Division has collected feedback on the idea, because the school is named after Col. Garnet Wolseley, who led a campaign of repression against Manitoba Métis. (Interestingly, the Manitoba Métis Federation has argued the name should stay, arguing that renaming landmarks and removing statues is a way of erasing a history of wrongdoing.) But one thing has arisen out of the renaming process that should also be considered by the city going forward. The WSD set renaming criteria for the Wolseley school that said prospective names 'should represent the neighbourhood and community; should connect to learning for the students' and 'must avoid the names of people.' The last one is an idea whose time may have come — avoiding the names of people. Because, more than anything else, people are complicated. Right now, the City of Winnipeg website devotes more than 300 words to explaining how it chooses to name a street after a person, saying that it wants 'to honour and commemorate noteworthy people associated with the city of Winnipeg.' That includes 'a person who demonstrates excellence, courage or exceptional dedication to service in ways that bring special credit to the city of Winnipeg; a person who volunteers and gives extraordinary help or care to individuals, families or groups, or supports community services or humanitarian causes; a person who fosters equality and reduces discrimination' and even 'an early pioneer or group or settlers who have contributed to the development of the city.' The city is so keen on naming streets after worthy Winnipeggers that the $200 fee for adding a name to the suggested street name reserve list is waived 'for applications recognizing individuals.' But maybe streets shouldn't be named after people at all, because history is a long road, and our viewpoints — and our knowledge about the character and behaviour of people who may seem like great examples today — can change with the years and with new knowledge. We've certainly seen that here. It's been recognized in other places as well. Wednesdays Columnist Jen Zoratti looks at what's next in arts, life and pop culture. St. John's, the capital of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, has taken the approach of changing its street naming policy this month to exclude naming streets after individuals. Simply put, it can be fraught with difficulties. 'Naming streets after people carries a number of risks,' St. John's Coun. Ron Ellsworth said during a June 17 council meeting, including ' problematic legacies, political polarization, disparity in representation and cultural marginalization.' The council vote in St. John's was unanimous, following the advice of the city's legal staff and the advice of the city's senior management. Maybe it's not an approach that will garner much support from Winnipeg's council. But maybe it's an idea whose time has come.
Winnipeg Free Press
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Celebrating Canada Day — and doing your part
Opinion Tomorrow's a good day to count your blessings for being in Canada. At the core of it all? It's good to be in a country that believes in the rule of law. That is the foundation of a nation, and a foundation Canada is widely respected for having. Judges are not picked for their fealty to particular politicians or parties — we don't have a Republican Supreme Court of Canada or a Democrat Supreme Court. Independent commissions pick justices at all levels for their legal skills and experience, and politicians appoint candidates from lists the commissions recommend. Russell Wangersky / Free Press Happy Canada Day (Though appointments sometimes skew toward eminently qualified jurists who may also have had histories with one political party or another.) Federal electoral ridings are, likewise, chosen by an independent agency, Elections Canada, which also ensures elections are held in the same manner and with the same rules in every province and territory in the country. Independent groups set electoral boundaries, so gerrymandering doesn't take place. Our prime minister cannot simply issue executive order-style edicts based on their personal whim. Politicians are not above the law. In other words, we have robust protections in the courts and in our political system to ensure power remains with the people and their democratically elected politicians. And there's more. We are a comparatively wealthy country that ranks highly in indexes that measure happiness — though, ranked as the world's 18th happiest population, we have slid a fair distance down from 2015's fifth place overall. (Much of the decline is owing to poor scores from Canadians under 30 and those in marginalized communities.) But even that is at risk, especially when we decide to pronounce over and over again that 'Canada is broken.' Repeat something often enough, and people tend to believe that it's true — even when it isn't, and even when they may not have any experience of what 'broken' really feels like. Ask those who come from a truly broken country what their life experiences are, and you might find they would be more than willing to swap countries with you in an instant. Canada may well be a country that, like many others, has serious issues. Issues that can, and should, be addressed. Crime, housing and health care are all pressing problems that require our attention, for certain. But Canadians aren't grabbed off the streets by faceless, masked militias. Doors aren't kicked in for warrantless searches. Weekday Mornings A quick glance at the news for the upcoming day. And if you truly believe that Canada is flawed, you can do your part to make it better. It is, in fact, your job to help to make it better. Citizenship isn't meant to be a comfortable recliner or a spectator sport. You can take part in our democracy: vote, campaign for politicians you support, even run for office yourself if you feel you have something to offer other Canadians. Working together, living together, enjoying the things that make us a community and a nation, helping those among us who need our help. But don't simply complain and expect a politician — of any stripe — will magically make things better for you. They may echo your complaints to get your votes, but without the benefit of a clear and functional plan, they're merely demonstrating the old adage that misery loves company. What we need is something we saw a flicker of when U.S. President Donald Trump began to threaten us with annexation, and directly harm us with tariffs — we saw the willingness of Canadians to band together, to be united as a country, to set goals and to be willing to make sacrifices. Unity is refreshing after experiencing a long dose of the politics of alienation. Make a better Canada. Be a better Canadian. And enjoy tomorrow … together.
Winnipeg Free Press
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Delay, delay and yet more city delays
Opinion I was waiting patiently on June 9 for the city to post the agenda for a Community Services Committee meeting scheduled for the 13th of the month. When it appeared I was delighted that the Report on City Tree Bylaws I expected to see was listed. But when I hit the link — ta da! — there was no report for me to read. Only a couple of lines saying it had been delayed for yet another 60 days. Now, I know that report was completed well in advance of the meeting, so why has it been delayed? After all, the establishment of a public and private tree bylaw isn't rocket science, given that at least seven other Canadian cities have it on their books. Russell Wangersky/Free Press The city's Report on City Tree Bylaws is still in limbo — like many other council reports. And why have those cities passed those bylaws? Well, it's because they know that protecting not just their public trees but trees on private land, while also expanding their overall canopy cover, is one of the best ways to improve their climate resiliency. Which, at the risk of repeating myself, yet again, is essential. In fact, I've written numerous times about the services our mature trees provide from mitigating heatwaves and superstorms to fighting pollution and even increasing the price of your home. So why the seeming reluctance to get the job done? Is city council afraid of initiating bylaws that would protect the trees that protect and benefit all of us? Are they afraid the general public will storm the doors of council yelling about their individual property rights and freedoms? Including the freedom to cut down their perfectly healthy mature yard trees just because they don't like raking leaves? Or is council more concerned about developers who believe they have the unfettered right to clear cut thousands of trees on their 'private land,' simply because it's more convenient for any future construction they might undertake? I'll let you answer that question, although the fact that there's a civic election looming on the horizon may have some play in what is rapidly becoming a pattern of delay at City Hall. Take, for example, the Property and Development Committee's deferral of a motion to study how the city might assist its citizens in switching to clean energy. Or the recent delay of a report on how and when the city might apply to the federal Nature Smart Climate Change fund for money to purchase land for parks and greenspaces or restore the ones they have. An utterly baffling delay considering the ongoing demand for a 'new fiscal deal' from other levels of government! Add to that the outcomes of Winnipeg's Reduced Speed Neighbourhood Pilot project that was due in the fall of 2024 and is still nowhere in sight. Plus a 30 day delay on a report for plans to improve bike and pedestrian safety on Wellington Crescent, which was expected to appear at the Public Works Committee meeting earlier this month. Chair of the committee, Councillor Janice Lukes asked for the public's patience, noting that such studies typically take three years to complete. Really? Deciding to create a safe bike path on a residential feeder road leading to the city's biggest park, as well as a few dozen residential streets, takes three years? Give me a break. Then there's Winnipeg's own unanimously adopted Climate Action Plan, which includes, among other things, a set of goals to facilitate and encourage active modes of transportation. That plan was approved seven years ago, and we're still waiting for council to fix a city full of dangerous roads that prevent people from actually using active transportation. So, if low-hanging fruit like the above takes years and years to bring over the finish line, there is no doubt that we will not reach our climate action targets by 2030. And yes, of course, some delays may be legitimate. After decades of austerity, most city departments are operating — and I use that word loosely — with little more than a skeleton staff in a large bureaucracy that appears to be deeply siloed. Weekday Evenings Today's must-read stories and a roundup of the day's headlines, delivered every evening. But our province is literally on fire. Climate change is here, and it threatens every aspect our lives. So these delays aren't just frustrating. They're dangerous. I don't know the conversations and machinations happening behind closed doors at city hall. Maybe it's true that some of the delays are due to the complex nature of the initiatives. Perhaps they're the result of a public service that lacks capacity and resources. Or maybe our elected officials are just worried about public backlash in the leadup to a civic election. Only the mayor and council know for sure. What is for certain? With every delay, we're losing time we don't have. Erna Buffie is a writer and environmental activist. Read more @
Winnipeg Free Press
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
With loss upon loss, I'm truly at a loss
Opinion I wonder if everyone, as they age, develops a feeling of terminal loss not just for people we've known, but for places, too. I've seen it in others, and sometimes, it's quite pronounced: the sense all the good is washing out of the world, leaving only bones. But I didn't expect to feel it so keenly myself, so soon and on so many fronts. In the last six months or so, I've written about the loss of dear friends, the loss of a property in a wildfire, and the loss of my ability to travel, with a clear conscience, to parts of the United States — notably, parts of the western desert like the Black Rock Desert — I have visited many times and dearly love. Now, I feel like I'm getting to be one of the many witnesses to irreversible change that's only speeding up. Russell Wangersky/Free Press The Black Rock Desert at sunset The latest little click of that clock? A budget bill addition in the U.S. Senate that will order the sale of millions of acres of public lands in western states, effectively to the highest bidder. The bill, if passed, will order the sale of lands currently held by the Bureau of Land Management and the National Forest System in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington state and Wyoming. It's ostensibly to build housing. Truth be told, though, it's probably designed to be for the profit of the modern-day carpetbaggers and robber barons, the people who have the money to snap up under-priced public assets and convert them for their own profit or pleasure. Guardrails are few. Most of the legal requirements of the sales are set or defined by the decision of cabinet appointees. Like: 'A tract of covered Federal land disposed of under this section shall be used solely for the development of housing or to address associated community needs as defined by the Secretary concerned.' Now, there's a gap you can drive a bus through. And the plan has some interesting features: it wants to give priority for sale to federal lands that are close to existing infrastructure, adjacent to developed areas and suitable for residential development — which all sounds good for building housing — but the government only expects to collect US$10 billion in revenue, meaning the property is expected to sell in the range of US$3,030 an acre. That's startling. The average cost of developable land in the U.S. runs at around US$18,000 an acre, and developable land adjacent to already-developed areas and close to existing infrastructure can hit US$100,000 an acre. So someone's going to make a lot more money than the U.S. Treasury will on this deal. Russell Wangersky/Free Press Deer Creek, near the Modoc National Forest As a percentage, the amounts of the land sales are small — just 0.5 per cent to 0.75 per cent of the lands held by the two agencies. But just that tiny fraction of federal land holdings is equal to 2.2 million to 3.3 million acres of federal lands — in Canadian terms, at the high end, 2.4 times the size of Prince Edward Island. It makes you think that many in government — both in the U.S. and Canada — spend little time in the outdoors, and more time calculating measurable short-term economic returns. That's very much the way Republicans seem to be pitching the selloff: Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee argued the move would turn 'federal liabilities into taxpayer value,' tacitly voicing the concept that forest lands have value only as a commodity, and that stewarding them for future generations is necessarily a loss. And don't get me started on the sales of wood from existing U.S. National Forest lands — the bill also would increase cutting, saying, 'For each of fiscal years 2026 through 2034, the Secretary shall sell timber annually on National Forest System land in a total quantity that is not less than 250,000,000 board-feet greater than the quantity of board-feet sold in the previous fiscal year.' By fiscal 2028, that would be a 25 per cent annual increase in wood cut on National Forest land. It's funny — when I think about the quiet beauty of the Modoc National Forest in California, walking on the deep cushioned mat of pine needles beneath the huge trees, the air hanging still in a way that engenders something close to reverence, I don't think of how much more valuable it would be as a housing development or mall, or even how much the wood is worth. Heading up to the Fandango Pass above Goose Lake, Calif., even travelling through the recovering burn scar of a forest fire that raced up the western face of the mountains of the Warner Range, the wildflowers rampant with all the new sunlight that's now cast down beneath and through the burnt-black pines, I don't think of board-feet of lumber. In the Black Rock Desert, I see the great open skies and the shoulders of the hills, not mineral reserves waiting to be harvested. Weekday Evenings Today's must-read stories and a roundup of the day's headlines, delivered every evening. Why, some might say, it's only a trim around the edges of natural reserves. There's lots. Russell Wangersky/Free Press View through the Fandango Pass, California Until there isn't. And once gone, many things never come back. I think that's something you learn for keeps as you grow older. Russell Wangersky is the Comment Editor at the Free Press. He can be reached at Russell WangerskyPerspectives editor Russell Wangersky is Perspectives Editor for the Winnipeg Free Press, and also writes editorials and columns. He worked at newspapers in Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario and Saskatchewan before joining the Free Press in 2023. A seven-time National Newspaper Award finalist for opinion writing, he's also penned eight books. Read more about Russell. Russell oversees the team that publishes editorials, opinions and analysis — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
