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Winnipeg Free Press

Letters, June 26

Opinion Double standard? In Tuesday's Business section (June 24), there was a story on page B7 about B.C. billionaire and aspiring department store tycoon Ruby Liu (Hudson's Bay receives approval for sale of three leases to B.C. mall owner). In it, The Canadian Press reporter Tara Deschamps described Liu as 'a striking figure, clad in a hot pink and lime green floral shirt with a black blazer and paired with dark boots and a white Louis Vuitton purse' when she appeared at a recent Ontario Superior Court date in Toronto. Directly below it on the same page was a story about Tesla CEO Elon Musk, another billionaire with ties to Canada (Musk bets robotaxis will give Tesla needed public lift). Try as I might, however, I could not find a single sentence The Associated Press reporter Bernard Condon wrote about what Musk was wearing when he made his comments about driverless Tesla robotaxis. Musk's signature MAGA ball caps were not even mentioned! Why the double standard? It couldn't possibly be because Ruby Liu is a woman, could it? Nigel Moore Winnipeg Merge to the left? No. Re: The Tory future may lie with the Liberals, Deveryn Ross, Think Tank, June 24 The notion that Manitoba's Progressive Conservative party must abandon its conservative principles and effectively merge with the Liberals under a new centrist banner not only defies political logic, it also betrays the core identity of the party itself. The PC party was founded on conservative values of fiscal responsibility, respect for tradition, individual freedom and support for strong families and communities. It is those values that many Manitobans want as their representative. Substituting in Liberal-lite policies under the guise of 'competitiveness' isn't a solution; it's a capitulation that would only alienate our base without guaranteeing broader appeal. The last federal election reminded us how easy it is to write political obituaries — but it also proved that new leadership can reinvigorate a discouraged base. Conservatives are very much alive in Manitoba and Winnipeg; we're not some relic for a museum display. While we recognize that there are relationships to rebuild and forgiveness to seek, that hard work is already underway. Obby Khan's apology in the legislature for the landfill failures, along with deputy leader Jeff Bereza's face-to-face apology to National Chief Cindy Woodhouse, are signs of that effort. Hard work is hard for a reason, but it matters. I want to see this work continue, and I believe a strong, principled Conservative alternative can and will emerge in Manitoba. Vanya Reimer St. Norbert Scam the scammer The next time you receive a suspected scam phone call, do not immediately hang up. Listen to the caller and then calmly say, 'This phone call is being recorded for police tracking purposes. PLEASE DO NOT HANG UP.' Believe me, they will hang up. If they do, it was a scam call. Works for me, twice in the past few days. Barry Hadfield Winnipeg Trees needed Re: Delay, delay and yet more city delays by Erna Buffie, Think Tank, June 23. Erna Buffie, I am with you. I'm sure you feel that you are butting your head against a brick wall in a number of important areas with regard to city services. The city is dragging its feet in establishing a City Trees Bylaw. Like Erna, I feel that trees on public property should be protected, but also those on private property, unless there is a very good reason for them to be cut down. Our city is losing its trees at a very rapid rate; we need them now more than ever to help reduce the effects of climate change, which is the main reason for raging forest fires all over the province. If seven other Canadian cities can pass this type of bylaw, why can't Winnipeg? Also, we should not stall in applying for grants to buy land for parks and green spaces. These are so important to our city for young, old and all those in between. So are safe walking and bike paths. The Climate Action Plan adopted by the city seven years ago, which includes improving active transportation routes, should also be implemented as soon as possible. After all, 2030, the year the city hopes to reach its climate action goals, is right on our doorstep; there is no more time for delays! Marlene Beaty Winnipeg No to perks Re: A provincial office in Washington makes sense, Dec. 17 – Kinew set to name U.S. trade envoy, June 19 – Kinew hires new trade rep, June 24 I agree a provincial trade office in Washington, D.C. makes sense, especially during this time of tariff threats and trade turmoil. Being onsite and able to meet with people in person is likely going to be really important if Manitoba's interests are to be properly represented and presented. I also think the choice of the trade representative is an interesting and perhaps inspired one: Alberta-raised, dual U.S./Canadian citizenship, has worked as a reporter in Winnipeg, Ottawa, and Washington. Lots of life and work experience on how things work where it matters. However, in light of all the things we need to spend money on here, from infrastructure to home care and health care to affordable housing, I strongly suggest that it should be a low-budget affair. Not more staff than is really needed, no outrageous salaries or perks, no unnecessary travel (and when necessary, not in business class), and no palatial residences and swank offices. This is, after all, about public service. Gerald Farthing Winnipeg Safety first Regarding Tom Brodbeck's column on the major changes coming to Winnipeg Transit this Sunday (Curtain rising on long-overdue transit overhaul; will traffic-weary drivers hop aboard?). He makes important points about the need for change, but fails to mention the major issue causing people to ride less; public perception of transit safety. No improvement to frequency of service will matter if users are afraid while riding the bus. Neil Coligan Winnipeg No secrets Re: Due process followed, Letters to the Editor, June 24 Ian McIntyre is correct that the provincial council of the Manitoba Teachers' Society is the supreme decision-making authority for MTS. However, the provincial council must exercise that power within its bylaws. Those bylaws give the authority to hire the executive director to the provincial executive. The bylaws also provide the provincial council the authority to suspend a bylaw, but this requires unanimous consent. Given the controversy surrounding the recent decision of provincial council to directly hire the executive director, some of it coming from those who were delegates, I am surprised that there was unanimous consent on bylaw suspension. All this may not matter to retired members such as myself, but I'm certain it does matter to many of the 16,000 dedicated active members, as they contribute more than $15 million in annual dues with an expectation for an organization committed to transparency and not having secrets. James Bedford Winnipeg