Western Expresso

[rrskylar]

Originally Posted by Bluenote

This urban reserve is far different then a small block turned into some offices. This reserve has single and multiple family buildings. That adds the human factor to the equation. Now most of the people will not be an issue. But remember each time some fire or flood forces an evacuation they will probably head to this reserve. With that will come the issues of that said reserve. Just watch the news today. And see what firearms and drugs and other wonderful items were seized on the reserve. It's also one of the reserves who are involved in this urban reserve.

Manitoba and Saskatchewan are not like Alberta and BC and Quebec's urban reserves. Here we have a totally different demographic of first Nations people.

That's the issue with the pity party mentality here in Manitoba. Everyone in the east or west thinks our first Nations reserves are like theirs. When in reality they are the exact opposite except for a few. So when they see the buildings on the reserve and the condition of then, they look at MB as some sewer. But they fail to mention that it wasn't any white, Asian, Muslim , Hindu or others who made them this way. It was the very people who live in them.
So when people have million dollar homes next door to what will either be a disastrous idea or a monumental success. You cannot help but to sympathize with them.

It's not like wealthy First Nations people will be moving into this reserve. Yet it's surrounded by some of the most wealthy area's. And a brand new higher end shopping area.

The issues of the reserves will follow and you'll see security in the outlet mall and IKEA etc.

Building an urban reserve doesn't fix anything. It's a bandaid. Fix the issue right on the reserves. These people need to embrace their heritage that has for the most part been lost. Hence why the young don't care about anything.

First Nations In the east and West have pride in their heritage, they don't use it as a money card or excuse. They fight for the environment, they embrace it. That's what I'd like to see our first Nation people here do. Not complain all the time. Not block highways or streets.
Maybe talk to your Western counterparts and see why they got it right. Oh wait that was tried theirs here don't like the Western ways of doing things.

The whole notion of the reserve system is archaic, everything owned by the band with no individual ownership, those with connections to the chief and council are afforded special privileges and those who don't stay at the bottom almost like an outdated caste system.

[bomberjet]

The problem is the reserves are extremely remote with small populations. It is nearly impossible to create an economy at those locations. So the government is paying for everything. That will never end.

[rrskylar]

Originally Posted by bomberjet

The problem is the reserves are extremely remote with small populations. It is nearly impossible to create an economy at those locations. So the government is paying for everything. That will never end.

So why continue to fund a system with no hope and no future, those living on First Nations require a hand up and not continual handouts!

The blame game has gone from we were here first and they took our land to residential schools took away our future and is now morphing into CFS took our kids, will it ever end?

[Pinus]

Just to ease the mind of some who believe this is only a Manitoba phenomenon

https://globalnews.ca/video/5947393/300-...eries-in-edmonton-staff-safety-a-concern

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/liquor-thefts-lcbo-1.5069842

[Authentic_City]

^It's funny that the Ontario Union wants LCBO to emulate the Manitoba strategy. But it shows that this is not a Winnipeg thing.
I was at the Madison Square LC this Friday, and it was all locked down like a police state. Only one door (the exit) was unlocked (manned by a security guard) and there was a WPS Cop standing guard in the vestibule with a second private security guard. Never seen anything like it.

[rrskylar]

Originally Posted by Authentic_City

^It's funny that the Ontario Union wants LCBO to emulate the Manitoba strategy. But it shows that this is not a Winnipeg thing.
I was at the Madison Square LC this Friday, and it was all locked down like a police state. Only one door (the exit) was unlocked (manned by a security guard) and there was a WPS Cop standing guard in the vestibule with a second private security guard. Never seen anything like it.

Wouldn't it make more sense to have everyone submit their drivers license or other photo ID to a scanner upon entering like some bars do? Way more cost effective.

And on what planet would any retail outlet allow anyone to come into the retail space with a duffle bag?

[headhorse]

someone decided to tear out the two clusters of trees on either side of the embarassing queen's statue out front of the legislature... some were damaged by the storm but I didn't see any that were dead. mix of oak, cedar, manitoba maple... guessing the province didn't like this site as an Indigenous protest spot so this was their solution. terrible

[Pinus]

What is embarrasing about the statue?

[Hecate]

I agree it’s time to take Winnipeg back! So that means addressing all of the poverty issues and years of neglect from our federal government to help support the indigenous people’s so they can thrive once again. This is where our future lies. We need to start with the reserves. Proper access to education, healthcare, and extra resources for job and skills training as well as addictions. So often it’s the hopeless from the reserves who end up in Winnipeg with no job skills, no training, they do what they have always done, rely on the system. We need to educate everyone about indigenous culture and issues. It is a beautiful culture, rich in history, art, music, and dance, but it has been utterly destroyed. Winnipeg should be a beacon for indigenous peoples across Turtle Island, but it is not. It is heartbreaking the challenges that indigenous families face in this country. For the majority of indigenous people, suicides, stabbings, murders, missing family members, are just the norm, it’s just part of life. We cannot let this continue. The longer we stay idle, the worse it will get, more people will die. Let’s fix it! Let’s try to right the wrongs.

[dmacc]

This is a federal issue, the treaty, Indian Act and reserve system needs to be changed. Their governance system needs to be updated to mirror the rest of the country. A tax system similar to the provinces needs to be adopted by the reserves to boost incomes similar to what the provinces do now to enable them to fund the physical and social infrastructure they need.

[EdwardTH]

Originally Posted by Bluenote

Because he's Aboriginal and hates anything that promotes any ties to the Queen. Hence why he wanted the trees left to hide it and they could continue their protests.

He forgets to always mention that the 3 biggest gangs in this city and province are Aboriginal. And most of the 40 murders so far are gang related and Aboriginal.
But he will as usual say it was our fault for the gangs.

Sorry I'm sick and tired of protests for money when we all should be protesting about these gangs and the crime rate. And point the finger directly where it belongs.

He will reply with his typical lengthy blah blah blah reply. Just wait. Then he will pull the racist card etc.

It's time to take Winnipeg back!!!!

You can't just go be racist AF and then cry about people playing the "race card". That's what they're going to do if you're being racist lol. There are reasons for high crime rates among Indigenous people. It's not like it's a Winnipeg-only situation where you have a very poor visible minority that struggles with these issues - it's the same root causes that are behind high crime rates among blacks in the southern US, or Hispanics in California, or Turks in Germany, etc.... do you think maybe socio-economic status has something to do with it, or do you think it just so happens that all those groups are inherently inferior and violent? Because news flash, if you think the latter, you're racist.

Crime is almost always related to poverty and social marginalization so you've really just proven headhorse's point. There are many indigenous gangs because by and large indigenous people in this country have a 3rd-world standard of living, which is why they're protesting.

[LilZebra]

A woman wrote a letter to the editor of the Free Press that was published November 2, 2019.

She said that she and her husband and friends have for years purchased seasons tickets to the WSO, RMTC, Ballet, Opera, etc...

Said that due to security concerns (their car was broken into) that unless downtown becomes more safe that she, her husband and friends will cancel their season tickets.

If enough "good natured" people do this, our downtown is done. Finished.


It's too bad all the good things that downtown is doing could be ruined by the criminal element. I think esquire wrote something similar about a year ago.


https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/letters_to_the_editor/letters-nov-2-564270922.html



Improve downtown security

As a longtime subscriber to MTC, Warehouse, PTE, WSO, the Fringe Festival and, occasionally, opera and ballet, I have enjoyed many arts events in Winnipeg. Even before my vehicle was recently broken into in the well-lit parking lot north of the Planetarium entrance, however, I had reservations about going to the theatre district at night (lately, during the day as well).

While I am aware that the police and the city are dealing constantly with serious, deep-rooted problems which they have publicly stated go far beyond policing issues, I feel that security can and must be improved downtown. Patrolling security vehicles must be regularly employed in and around the theatre district at night, as is the norm in many other major cities. The arts, restaurants, transportation and parking services, as well as the community at large, will very quickly lose a supportive presence and a relatively secure economic health if the present situation does not change. The biggest loss might be the absence of people, other than those working during the day in the area.
Surely the many arts groups invested in the area, with the help of the police, the City of Winnipeg and organizations like the Downtown BIZ, can implement effective security measures for their patrons.

The city has made a concerted, strategic effort to sell Winnipeggers on the idea that it has much to offer in the arts, sports and culture, yet many people I know avoid the Main Street and Portage Avenue area because of safety concerns. This problem will not go away.
I, for one, do not intend to attend any events in the area in the future unless reasonable measures are taken to ensure the safety of not just seniors, but all Winnipeggers who wish to have our faith in our city restored and to contribute to its robust health

Loretta Basiuk
Winnipeg

[EdwardTH]

Originally Posted by LilZebra

A woman wrote a letter to the editor of the Free Press that was published November 2, 2019.

She said that she and her husband and friends have for years purchased seasons tickets to the WSO, RMTC, Ballet, Opera, etc...

Said that due to security concerns (their car was broken into) that unless downtown becomes more safe that she, her husband and friends will cancel their season tickets.

If enough "good natured" people do this, our downtown is done. Finished.


It's too bad all the good things that downtown is doing could be ruined by the criminal element. I think esquire wrote something similar about a year ago.


https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/letters_to_the_editor/letters-nov-2-564270922.html



Improve downtown security

As a longtime subscriber to MTC, Warehouse, PTE, WSO, the Fringe Festival and, occasionally, opera and ballet, I have enjoyed many arts events in Winnipeg. Even before my vehicle was recently broken into in the well-lit parking lot north of the Planetarium entrance, however, I had reservations about going to the theatre district at night (lately, during the day as well).

While I am aware that the police and the city are dealing constantly with serious, deep-rooted problems which they have publicly stated go far beyond policing issues, I feel that security can and must be improved downtown. Patrolling security vehicles must be regularly employed in and around the theatre district at night, as is the norm in many other major cities. The arts, restaurants, transportation and parking services, as well as the community at large, will very quickly lose a supportive presence and a relatively secure economic health if the present situation does not change. The biggest loss might be the absence of people, other than those working during the day in the area.
Surely the many arts groups invested in the area, with the help of the police, the City of Winnipeg and organizations like the Downtown BIZ, can implement effective security measures for their patrons.

The city has made a concerted, strategic effort to sell Winnipeggers on the idea that it has much to offer in the arts, sports and culture, yet many people I know avoid the Main Street and Portage Avenue area because of safety concerns. This problem will not go away.
I, for one, do not intend to attend any events in the area in the future unless reasonable measures are taken to ensure the safety of not just seniors, but all Winnipeggers who wish to have our faith in our city restored and to contribute to its robust health

Loretta Basiuk
Winnipeg

Ha some pearl-clutching old lady got her car broken into, good Lord the humanity no one is safe!!! Hide yo wife hide yo kids we got minor property crimes up in here!!!

[esquire]

Originally Posted by EdwardTH

Ha some pearl-clutching old lady got her car broken into, good Lord the humanity no one is safe!!! Hide yo wife hide yo kids we got minor property crimes up in here!!!

Laugh if you must but things like that chip away at the area's reputation.

[headhorse]

someone should tell her that her car won’t get broken into if she takes the bus

[EdwardTH]

Originally Posted by esquire

Laugh if you must but things like that chip away at the area's reputation.

Sure it does but that's still a completely over-the-top reaction to a petty theft. I'm only salty because I just don't get the point of coming here to — and complain every day. If the crime bothers you then get off your — and do something. If you're gonna organize SSP volunteer night where we all put in a shift with Bear Clan or MSP, great. But if you're just going to whine about it on the internet then you're not adding anything productive and you're distracting me from construction news, gtfo already. Like, we already read the news man.

[esquire]

^ Ha, fair enough.

[Winnipegger]

Originally Posted by EdwardTH

Ha some pearl-clutching old lady got her car broken into, good Lord the humanity no one is safe!!! Hide yo wife hide yo kids we got minor property crimes up in here!!!

Honestly, you guys writing off this individual's concerns about their safety downtown after their car got broke in to as them just being a whiny, sheltered suburbanite is not doing the "pro-downtown" advocates any favors. Both personal safety and respect for private property is a legitimate concern and to brush off the issue of broken car windows as just the cost of being downtown reinforces the "downtown is a shithole" sentiment that so many of you hate.

I sympathize with the woman. Like many north american cities, our downtown struggles with the perception of being unsafe and unwelcoming place at times, despite all the great amenities it has. Laughing at peoples negative experiences and disregarding them as illegitimate isn't going to do anything useful to move our inner city area forward.

Like many, I work downtown and commute via bus. In the past year, I have experienced:

• Someone (probably inebriated) forcibly hugging me while I waited for the bus despite me telling them not to touch me - I am a male so it was "fine", but I can't imagine how a female would have felt in a similar situation
• An individual on a bus aggressively yelling, swearing, and threatening to harm an innocent passenger simply because the innocent passenger was visibly an international immigrant from an east-Asian country
• An individual (again, likely inebriated) on the bus staring at me and aggressively asking me why I wasn't smiling

These incidents (in combination with a few other transit-related factors) are pushing me towards purchasing my own vehicle, despite the significantly higher cost and violating my own pro-transit attitude. Luckily I have the financial means to do this if needed, but many others aren't so fortunate in which case they can choose to seek alternative employment elsewhere or continue experiencing negative events and become even more pessimistic about our city.

You can diminish my negative experiences all you want (or anyone else's for that matter), but failure to recognize the problem isn't going to make it go away. And while ya'll are too busy ignoring negative factors that are a reality downtown (from car break ins to thefts to public drunkenness to harassment) and failing to brainstorm ideas to address inner-city issues and poverty, the rest of the public will react negatively or positively to whatever circumstances are occurring downtown.

Now I understand that every city everywhere is going to have some odd fellows that occupy the inner parts of a city - this isn't exclusive to Winnipeg. However, that doesn't mean we shouldn't be doing more to address the root causes of poverty, addictions, and mental health issues that lead to smashed car windows, verbal assaults, and other "petty" crimes downtown.

And let's be honest with ourselves: we all want Winnipeg to have a great downtown. But the fact is that Winnipeg has a lot of other great areas for restaurants, entertainment, parks, and other amenities as well. So if you think it's smart to disregard people's concerns about safety and property downtown, those people will simply spend their time and money in one of the many other great parts of our city - downtown doesn't have a monopoly on the best amenities our city has to offer, so tread carefully.

[rrskylar]

Originally Posted by headhorse

someone should tell her that her car won’t get broken into if she takes the bus

— brilliant, it's her fault for having the audacity to drive her own vehicle to downtown.

Honestly there is no point even arguing with such left wing dribble!

[headhorse]

If I didn’t want my car to be broken into I simply would not have a car (I don’t)