\t\t\tBlood from stones<\/p>\n
Re: Toothless regulations leave flyers to fend for themselves<\/a> (Aug. 11)<\/p>\n As a regular flyer and taxpayer, I wonder why I am expected to pay more for flights and taxes because some people refuse to accept the inevitable uncertainty of flying, given its complexities, especially in a challenging environment such as Canada.<\/p>\n Airlines do not have secret pockets of unused cash they can access to correct and compensate for passenger problems or excessive profits that can be reduced. Surely the most likely outcome is that flights will cost more for everyone to cover the increased liabilities.<\/p>\n Similarly, governments do not have \u201cidle\u201d tax revenues for processes to adjudicate complaints. Funding must be diverted from services elsewhere or taxes must increase. Although fines may cover some of the cost, they add another expense and result in higher ticket prices to preserve bottom lines of airline budgets.<\/p>\n Certainly, there are cases in which individuals and organizations should be held to account for shortfalls in service, neglect, or the like. However, some limits are needed to ensure that passengers and taxpayers are not unreasonably burdened financially by naive expectations of litigious flyers who brook no disruption to their lives.<\/p>\n Jim Clark, Winnipeg<\/p>\n Heed the call<\/p>\n Re: The drugs changed \u2014 our systems didn\u2019t<\/a> (Think Tank, Aug. 11)<\/p>\n Marion Willis\u2019s call for a holistic, systems-based response to Winnipeg\u2019s challenges is both timely and necessary. Complex issues such as homelessness, addictions, mental health, public safety and poverty cannot be solved through isolated actions or short-term fixes. They require a co-ordinated, community-based approach that addresses root causes while providing immediate and long-term support.<\/p>\n A successful strategy must include robust data collection, ongoing monitoring, and transparent reporting so programs can be evaluated and adjusted as circumstances change and decision makers are held accountable. Good intentions alone are not enough; evidence must guide decisions and investments.<\/p>\n Equally important is sustained funding and adequate human resources from all levels of government to support specialized, long-term services in health care, housing, addictions treatment, public safety and social supports. Prevention remains the most effective and cost-efficient strategy. Investments in housing, mental health services, youth programs, education and community supports reduce the far greater social and financial costs of crisis intervention later.<\/p>\n This must be a multi-pronged effort involving co-ordinated action among governments, community organizations, businesses, service providers, Indigenous leaders and citizens, all pulling in the same direction. No single agency or level of government can solve these challenges alone. Winnipeg citizens deserve nothing less.<\/p>\n As we approach this fall\u2019s municipal election, now is the time to ask candidates where they stand. Will they support a truly holistic, evidence-based approach? How will they work with other governments and community partners to address the critical challenges facing our city?<\/p>\n Voters deserve clear answers before casting their ballots.<\/p>\n Jules Rocque, Winnipeg<\/p>\n Deliberate misdirection?<\/p>\n