\t\t\tAlternate income options<\/p>\n
Re: On schedule: provincial minimum wage to rise to $16.40\/hr in October<\/a> (April 1)<\/p>\n The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives suggests Winnipeg\u2019s living wage was $19.77\/hr in 2025, based on a calculation considering factors including rising food, transportation and rental costs.<\/p>\n Instead of putting the onus on business owners to cover difference in the living wage for employee\u2019s earning minimum wage, let\u2019s have the federal and provincial governments decrease the income tax rates of 13.41 per cent and 10.11 per cent by 75 per cent on minimum-wage earners\u2019 income. This would provide an additional $91 per week to live on, with no additional operating costs to business owners, and equivalent to the living wage.<\/p>\n Alfred Sansregret<\/p>\n Winnipeg<\/p>\n Irresponsible policy<\/p>\n I am writing to voice my disapproval of the proposed changes to our provincial sales tax.<\/p>\n Allowing a tax exemption on soft drinks and chips at the supermarket level is grossly irresponsible. Our current health-care system is in crisis and the NDP\u2019s proposed seven per cent tax exemption will only encourage poor eating habits that will ultimately lead to higher health care expenses in the future.<\/p>\n An infinitely better option would be to offer no sales tax on toilet paper, tissue paper, tooth brushes, tooth paste and soap at both supermarket and corner mom and pop stores. This would give a small but helping hand to people with a marginal income afford the basic necessities for living a healthier life.<\/p>\n Eating fast food, potato chips, and drinking sugary pop is not a necessity, nor does it promote a healthy lifestyle.<\/p>\n Hans F. Wiebe<\/p>\n Winnipeg<\/p>\n Nuclear critical for climate strategy<\/p>\n Re: Uranium fails the test<\/a> (Think Tank, April 2)<\/p>\n Dave Taylor\u2019s article raises legitimate concerns about the safety and reliability of the global supply chain for enriched uranium, but it overlooks some key context.<\/p>\n Canada\u2019s nuclear fleet is composed entirely of CANDU reactors powered with unenriched uranium. While small modular reactors are getting all the attention lately, the CANDU design is still relevant not only in Canada but across the world.<\/p>\n A project undergoing an impact assessment near Peace River, Alta. is considering the newest CANDU MONARK design, Romania has two new CANDU reactors under contract, and these reactors are being actively marketed across Europe and Asia.<\/p>\n The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change\u2019s technical reports have consistently identified nuclear energy as a key mitigation technology. As a major source of firm, dispatchable, and zero-emission power, it is a critical part of any pathway to net zero.<\/p>\n Alex Buchner<\/p>\n Winnipeg<\/p>\n A threat to trees<\/p>\n