Letters, June 2
Opinion
Re: New measles exposure sites in Winkler, Winnipeg clinics, church (May 29)
Every few days brings news of yet more measles cases in Manitoba. So you would think that our provincial government would do everything possible to protect the public, right? Not even close.
In Manitoba, pharmacists cannot administer the same publicly funded MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine that is available to MDs. An MMR booster from a pharmacist still requires a prescription and payment (about $75). Titre testing, which helps to gauge the need for MMR boosters in some cases, is also not available without a requisition.
Thousands of Manitobans do not visit MDs or nurse-run clinics, whether because of physical or geographic inaccessibility; lack of transportation; appointment unavailability; past medical trauma; lack of in-clinic COVID-19 precautions; experiences of racism, sexism, ableism, fatphobia, or other forms of systemic bias that pervade the health-care system.
This situation is completely outrageous, and is already leading to preventable disease spread, and, potentially, to avoidable deaths.
The province needs to step in immediately to ensure the public has fully covered, 'physician-free' access to the tools we need to protect ourselves.
Kristen Hardy
Winnipeg
Re: NDP, Tories spar over free trade bill (May 30)
Why are our politicians continuing to play their silly games when Canada's economy and sovereignty hangs over our heads?
The NDP want to get the free trade bill passed so that we can open our interprovincial borders to trade. The Tories aren't making this easy, not that I would expect them to, just to play politics. The political climate in our country is very fragile, especially considering what and who is observing this from south of the border.
Come on you guys! Start acting like adults! We all need to be working together on this for the sake of our country! I expected more from PC Leader Obby Khan. He is not thinking of the greater good. Let's all unite and work together!
There will be plenty of time to play your political games after.
Colleen Henzel
Winnipeg
Re: Wildfires force 'largest evacuation' (May 29)
So some 'Never Going To Be In Mensa' person decides that it's a good call to fly a drone and interfere with fire fighting efforts?
A drone shot I'm sure I'm not alone in wanting to see is one of the perpetrators being hauled into court to explain themselves.
When they do decide to post this despicable act, (and they will) I hope the authorities are standing by to take them down.
Ian Shanley
Winnipeg
I'm no expert on fixing our roads but something needs fixing!
The fact that commuters have to get stuck in traffic in huge long lineups year after year when construction season hits is a type of torture.
We see the barricades go up and silently groan to ourselves and we know this is going to go on for weeks and possibly months. When we finally drive past these zones, often there is nothing happening. The workers aren't there. Maybe it's the day they are at another construction site, or maybe they have completed their shift.
Having lived in other cities, I didn't see this happening as much. I know they don't have our severe winters, but they somehow handle road construction more effectively. Those cities have crews working 24-7 until the job is complete. They don't shut down all the roads at the same time. They seem to work on one road at a time. When that job is done, they move on to the next job.
Winnipeg can do better. Why do we keep doing the same thing over and over and expect different results? It is a type of insanity.
Mary Page
Winnipeg
I know the potholes all over our city seem to get worse year after year. But has anyone gone to Brookside Cemetery lately for someone's interment or to vist a loved one they have lost?
The roads at Brookside Cemetery are disgraceful and need to be looked at and fixed. This is the largest cemetery in Western Canada and has one of the largest fields of honour for veterans who have lost their lives for us for world peace. I think the City of Winnipeg should have a good look at the road situation there and do something about it!
Sandra Coutu
Winnipeg
On May 24, Doors Open Winnipeg offered a very cool opportunity to explore 17 Wing at CFB Winnipeg, an experience that left me feeling very positive about the Canadian Armed Forces.
I met personnel who exemplified excellence — well-trained, enthusiastic, and deeply loyal members of the Canadian military and our city. I think that you would be hard pressed to meet a more deeply proud group of Canadians.
These dedicated men and women graciously welcomed a large and diverse crowd of curious Winnipeggers, eager to learn about this important aspect of our nation's military. They spoke of highlights and special capabilities of 17 Wing with personal insights, reiterating a sense of connection and understanding between the military and the Canadian public.
One standout during our visit was a master corporal who served as our tour bus guide. I wish I could remember his name in order to acknowledge his dedication, and his knowledge of 17 Wing's history of accomplishment. His leadership and passion were evident, embodying what it means to be a proud member of the Canadian Armed Forces. His enthusiasm not only informed, but also inspired, reinforcing the importance of their commitment to our country.
Among the many tour highlights was a look at the C-130 Hercules that is now providing life-saving capacity as thousands of Manitobans are being airlifted from the northern wildfires.
Overall, the day was not just a tour; it was a celebration of community, dedication, and the vital role that the Canadian military plays in the fabric of our society.
Cliff J. Greenhalgh
Winnipeg
Re: Rivers of optimism (May 24)
Our rivers of yesteryear provided a means of transportation, a source of food, and clean water to drink.
Today, for the most part, the rivers and waterways are regarded as handy and inexpensive open-air sewers, some place that we can conveniently dump leftovers and our sewage.
Inconvenient as it may be, this is the question, we should all be asking: is our present government — and/or a future government — prepared to responsibly accept and seriously deal with the truth?
The water sources in our province are being victimized. The truth cannot be ignored any longer. Or will they just shamefully continue with counterproductive actions and make statements of blaming unexpected weather and equipment failures?
John Fefchak
Virden
As a resident of Winnipeg who has used the ambulance service on occasion, I would like to address a problem in their fee structure for their service.
I am luckily in a position to pay the fee due to my health-care plan and pension. However, individuals who are either on social assistance or employment insurance are usually not in a position to suddenly have to pay the fee. Those individuals will have to decide to either find other sources to pay for rent or food or pay the bill.
My fear is that they may choose not to call an ambulance and hope that they will not become more severely ill.
A simple solution to this problem would be for those individuals who qualify to be given a physical or digital coupon for a free ambulance service. They could be listed on a digital list that could be accessed immediately by ambulance services so that a bill would not be issued to them.
Jerome Phomin
Winnipeg
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Winnipeg Free Press
25 minutes ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Eight-hundred more fire evacuees expected to find refuge in Niagara Falls
Hundreds more wildfire evacuees were expected to fly to Ontario Tuesday, where a third-party organization has arranged for them to stay in hotel rooms. Xpera, a security and evacuation support service firm, had organized flights for 793 evacuees who are already staying in Niagara Falls, said Robert Garland, Xpera vice-president of emergency security management for Eastern Canada. As many as 800 additional evacuees could make the journey on Tuesday, Garland said. RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS Darell Moore was evacuated from Norway House Saturday night. There was no hotel room for him when he arrived in Winnipeg. 'That all depends on whether, in Winnipeg, they can get the planes full or not. It's a situation of getting families to a marquee point and then on to planes,' he said. Niagara has become a destination for some of the 17,000 people, many of whom are from remote and northern communities, who have been displaced by wildfires. Hotels in southern Manitoba quickly filled up, and the Canadian Red Cross established emergency shelters in arenas and other large spaces. 'People with nowhere to stay outside of a congregate setting are definitely getting on planes and coming here to Niagara, and that frees up some of the beds in Winnipeg for some of the most vulnerable,' Garland said. The evacuees headed for Ontario are associated with Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, a northern Indigenous political entity that represents 26 First Nations, including five under mandatory evacuation orders: Pimicikamak (Cross Lake), Norway House Cree Nation, Mathias Colomb Cree Nation (Pukatawagan), Marcel Colomb First Nation (Black Sturgeon Falls) and Tataskweyak Cree Nation (Split Lake). York Factory First Nation (York Landing), another MKO community, evacuated vulnerable residents Monday, but is not subject to a mandatory order. Eight Niagara hotels have so far opened their doors to evacuees. Xpera is prepared to find accommodations for up to 3,000 people, but that number could change depending on the rapidly evolving situation, Garland said. After the Manitoba government reached out to Ontario for support, Xpera was tapped to arrange accommodations because it has a contract with Emergency Management Ontario, he said. Garland could not provide a price tag, but said it will be paid by the federal government through Indigenous Services Canada. Xpera is arranging recreation activities and security for evacuees. It is co-ordinating with health authorities from Ontario and Manitoba to provide health care, Garland said. 'So far, everything is running really smoothly.' Niagara, Ont., Mayor Jim Diodati said his city has opened its arms to Manitobans. 'Some of them, I'm sure, are nervous or stressed because they are getting uprooted from their homes and they're being taken thousands of miles away, but I'm hoping that the silver lining in the grey cloud is… they are going to get to take in one of the great natural attractions of the world,' he said. The city attracts as many as 14 million visitors each year who want to see the Niagara Falls. It has an inventory of more than 14,000 hotel rooms, which makes it a 'logical place for any situation where you need a lot of spots for people quickly.' RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS Robert Burroughs of Flin Flon fled the northern city May 28 with only bare essentials. 'We are happy to do our part, especially initially,' he said. The tourism season kicks into high gear in Niagara around July 1. Diodati said he hopes the federal government can find alternative places to house evacuees before then because hotels will likely reach capacity. If the crisis extends into the summer, Diodati suggested post-secondary institutions throughout the country could be considered for temporary accommodation. Back in Manitoba, some evacuees were settling into hotels after spending time in emergency shelters. Talking about home brought Robert Burroughs to tears outside the Victoria Inn on Wellington Avenue. The Flin Flon resident was moved to the hotel after spending one night at the Century Arena in Fort Garry. 'I'm a very emotional guy,' he said softly. 'It's been very difficult.' Burroughs, an employee of the Victoria Inn in Flin Flon, fled the northern city May 28 with only bare essentials. He was part of a massive convoy that drove south as flames crept dangerously close to the city of about 5,100 people. He considers himself lucky because his general manager arranged rooms for him and roughly 30 other Victoria Inn employees from Flin Flon, who are staying at the chain's hotel in Winnipeg. 'Red Cross has been so busy we don't have any meal tickets,' he said. 'We are having to support ourselves. They say to keep our receipts. At first, they accepted our Red Cross cards, but now they need the meal tickets for the hotel to get paid by Red Cross.' Darell Moore was aboard one of the last planes out of Norway House on Monday night. No hotel room was waiting for him when he touched down in Winnipeg. 'I slept in my truck,' he said, describing a long night spent beside his seven-year-old dog, Buzy. Over the weekend, Moore's daughter, Darrylee McKay, loaded six children into her father's pickup and made the eight-hour drive south to Winnipeg. Among them were her three children, and kids who belong to her sister and niece. A second car that travelled with them carried four more children. 'We had to keep stopping, all the kids had to keep using the washroom,' McKay said. 'It was a hard drive.' RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS A Cross Lake family first sought refuge in Norway House and then drove eight hours to Winnipeg to escape the fires. The children are very upset about their little dog Buzy not being able to stay with them in the hotel room. Buzy is being fostered. From left: Okay McKay, 10, Belinda McKay, 7, their grandmother Bernice Moore Suzie McKay, Darrylee McKay holding Jenson McKay, Demi Moore, holding Davair Ross-Moore, age 1. The family, from Cross Lake, had sought safety in Norway House after an evacuation order was issued. Once in Winnipeg, they spent their first night at a soccer complex on Leila Avenue that has been converted into a temporary shelter to house hundreds of evacuees. 'It was crazy,' she said. 'We had to stay next to a lot of people and sleep in cots. No sleep at all.' Still, she said, it was better than Norway House. 'I had to sleep in the truck with all of my babies,' she said. On Tuesday, Moore was trying to get a room at the same hotel where the rest of his family was staying. He said after he registered with the Red Cross Monday night, he was told it could take up to two days before he'd be placed in a hotel. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. The Red Cross has refused to do an interview regarding the evacuation process and putting up people in hotels. The provincial government said evacuees who require enhanced accessibility or have medical needs are the first to get a room. It confirmed some rooms have been booked outside of the centralized process. Hundreds more hotel rooms are expected to become available in Manitoba over the coming days, the province said. — With files from Scott Billeck Tyler SearleReporter Tyler Searle is a multimedia producer who writes for the Free Press's city desk. A graduate of Red River College Polytechnic's creative communications program, he wrote for the Stonewall Teulon Tribune, Selkirk Record and Express Weekly News before joining the paper in 2022. Read more about Tyler. Every piece of reporting Tyler produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — 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.
Winnipeg Free Press
2 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Where to donate, how to volunteer to help Manitoba wildfire evacuees
Wildfires have forced more than 17,000 Manitobans to flee their homes and into temporary shelters in Winnipeg and beyond. Several organizations are accepting donations, co-ordinating volunteers and distributing supplies. Here's how you can help: Canadian Red Cross Donations to the Red Cross for Manitoba wildfire relief are being matched by the federal and provincial governments until June 27. The Red Cross is only accepting monetary donations at this time; they are not accepting donated items. Donate on the Red Cross website or by phone at 1-800-418-1111. Manitoba Métis Federation The Manitoba Métis Federation is accepting supplies and monetary donations for wildfire evacuees. They are in particular need of baby items, including diapers, formula, strollers and car seats. There is also high demand for men's clothing, size large and up. Cribbage game boards are also being sought as a leisure item. Drop off donations at 25 Ray Marius Road in the Transcona Industrial Park area. Donate money online here. Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs has established a relief fund and is taking donations via e-transfer to emergencyresponse@ Donations of supplies are being accepted at the RBC Convention Centre from 11 a.m to 7 p.m., Monday to Friday (Sunday from noon to 7 p.m.). Go to the second floor of the North Building and look for AMC banner. First Nations Family Advocate Office Donations of new or gently used items can be dropped off at 200-285 Smith Street from Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. They are accepting: Southern Chiefs' Organization The Southern Chiefs' Organization is accepting donations at SCO offices: They are collecting: More information is available on the SCO's website. Winnipeg Humane Society Donations for displaced pets can be dropped off at the Winnipeg Humane Society at 45 Hurst Way. They are collecting: A full list of necessary supplies is available on their website. City of Winnipeg Animal Services The City of Winnipeg animal services department is collecting donations in partnership with Veterinarians Without Borders. Donate here. The Manitoba Métis Federation is co-ordinating volunteers in Winnipeg to help distribute supplies and take on other urgent tasks as part of the emergency response for evacuees. Call the MMF's volunteer co-ordination line at 431-294-7452. Check for updates on the MMF Facebook page. Winnipeg Humane Society The Winnipeg Humane Society has set up a temporary animal shelter at St. Norbert Community Centre to support families with pets affected by Manitoba's wildfires. Intake hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The temporary shelter can support about 60 animals. Phone 204-982-2021 with any questions about volunteering or donations. Evacuees with pets are asked to register with the Red Cross and to check the society's website for more information.
Calgary Herald
4 hours ago
- Calgary Herald
Opinion: Demand better hospital care for children
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