Correction:
A column by David McLaughlin in the Feb. 28 Think Tank, Everybody’s spending, spending, spending, said that a provincial deficit that may reach $1.6 billion for the past year would be Manitoba’s largest. The Manitoba defict in 2020, while Canadian provinces were reeling from COVID shutdowns, was $2.1 billion.
On local protests
Re: Duelling protests condemn, celebrate strikes (March 2)
I find it noteworthy that those quoted in the article as supporting the strikes in Iran and the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei predominantly are either Iranian expatriates or individuals of Iranian descent. I have seen widespread outrage across the world regarding the actions of Israel and the United States and while I recognize that everyone’s understanding of the situation is not complete, I am concerned that a culture of constant protest risks diminishing the significance that public demonstrations should carry.
Protest is unquestionably a fundamental right. However, there comes a point when society must reflect and consider whether it may be on the wrong side of certain issues. Demonstrations have played an important role in shaping policy and public awareness. For example, protests in Minneapolis were instrumental in prompting the partial removal of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in the city, signalling to the administration of President Donald Trump that its actions were widely viewed as misguided, even if that acknowledgment will never be formally made.
Observing Iranians around the world celebrating and crying in the streets suggests that, in this instance, outrage for the sake of outrage should sit this one out. The situation is unfolding in their homeland, a place many of them used to live, a place I know nothing about, but a place many local Iranians would like to return to safely.
Vanya J. Reimer
Winnipeg
Difficult, but important viewing
Re: “A fine line” (Letters, March 2); Missed opportunity at CMU (Think Tank, Feb. 27)
Did Mac Horsburgh visit the exhibit of Palestinian art at CMU before he wrote his letter supporting Lisa Lewis’ contention that the exhibit is anti-Jewish? There was nothing anti-Jewish about it at all.
The exhibit beautifully celebrates Palestinian culture and powerfully laments the decades of violence aimed at destroying this culture. Invited by the exhibit, on an origami peace crane I wrote the name of one of the 20,000 Palestinian children killed in Gaza since 2023 and added it to the display. My heart broke open looking at a binder filled with page after page after page of names of these lost young lives. I chose a two-year-old to remember, thinking of my own granddaughter and the grief I would feel if she became a victim of political violence.
The exhibit is an art installation and art can be evocative, even provocative. Art that speaks truth to the powerful, upsets the powerful. As a Christian settler looking at Cree artist Kent Monkman’s painting, The Scream, depicting the church and government wrenching children from their families to take to residential schools, I feel really, really uncomfortable. A pathetic little voice in my head whines “But wait, there were church people who opposed residential schools, couldn’t you have put one of them in the painting?”
But a more faithful voice shouts against my fears as I acknowledge his painting isn’t anti-church. The truth it witnesses is what the church needs to be saved from its sin. It’s our salvation. If the CMU exhibit makes you uncomfortable, maybe there is a good reason that deserves curiosity, not judgment.
Caryn Douglas
Winnipeg
Festering issues
Re: ‘More work to do’ to ensure agents of India are not threatening Canadians (Feb.27)
There is considerable reservation in Canada about Prime Minister Mark Carney’s trade trip to India because agents of India are allegedly still involved in extortion and threats to Canadians. In September 2023, former prime minister Justin Trudeau explicitly accused India of being involved in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. To the best of my knowledge, none of the allegations has been proven in a court of law. The unremitting allegations have damaged India’s reputation.
Canada has long permitted a segment of Canadians to actively promote the carving out of a separate state (“Khalistan”) from India, a movement allegedly involved in the Air India 182 bombing on June 23, 1985. In addition, Canadian politicians waded into the Indian farmers’ protests (2020-2021). India condemned both these activities as threatening India’s sovereignty.
These issues have festered for far too long and should be addressed before any trade deal is initiated. There is “more work to do.”
Shashi Seshia
Winnipeg
Trump thinks only of Trump
Re: “Proud of Hellebuyck” (Letters, March 2)
If you think U.S. President Donald Trump is irrelevant in what he does, look around you. There is not a country in the Western Hemisphere and beyond that has not been affected by his unconstitutional decisions. To pretend that his character should not be taken into account is wilful blindness.
Granting the honour of the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Connor Hellebuyck at the State of the Union address was a performance for the ages. It was set up to showcase and furthermore consolidate his power. Everything Trump does has an agenda, and that is ultimately to embolden him to act recklessly and without restriction. He is divisive in his politics and represents the most reprehensible beliefs of racism, misogyny and white supremacy.
It is hard for me to fathom that he can be removed from the equation when he seeks to always be the centre of attention. Every leader in the world has to “walk on eggshells” not to trigger his wrath and vitriol.
Let’s not be naive about his intentions towards Canada and any country or politician who stands up to him. His insidiousness permeates every area of society including sports.
These are the behaviours of a narcissist who excels at manipulation and control. His interest is not to bestow an honour on Hellebuyck but to put himself selfishly in the limelight.
Living next to this kind of aberration of a presidency, Canadians need to have an awareness of what is at stake and trust that unity, clarity, knowledge and perspective will maintain our sovereignty and independence.
Christine Krucko
Winnipeg
Pick different name for pool
Re: Bonivital Pool to get new moniker (Feb. 26)
With respect to former federal minister and city councillor Dan Vandal, who by all accounts is a good and honourable citizen, have we not learned from past mistakes? The naming of public structures after people has not stood the test of time.
When the community sought public input for the renaming of Wolseley School it was decided early in the process that the new name must reflect community values and must not be named after an individual. The new name, Little Bluestem School, pays tribute to the lush prairie grass that line both sides of Omands Creek. The creek meanders through the heart of our neighbourhood where generations of school-aged children have played hide-and-seek, tobogganned, and had their first kiss among this traditional medicine known as bluestem.
To be clear, my objection is not directed towards Vandal, whose values and public service will most assuredly place him on the right side of history. My concern is, despite past grave errors in naming public structures, we continue to set precedent with old-school thinking.
Michael Bennett
Winnipeg