Letters: Saskatchewan’s drainage strategy threatens precious wetlands

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Saskatchewan is the only province in Canada without a wetland conservation policy. Downstream properties are being drained upon and now WSA is charging a new fee of $1,000 for anyone needing to submit a drainage complaint.

Our neighbouring provinces, Alberta and Manitoba, understand the benefits of wetlands. They manage wetland conservation by policy and have incorporated a no-further-loss approach.

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Saskatchewan’s government is developing a new policy called Ag Water Stewardship Policy, but there is no provision for wetland conservation. It’s a drainage policy that will promote the drainage of two million acres of wetlands.

Scientists and water experts warn about the danger we will be faced with if wetlands continue to be drained or degraded.

These dangers include: Increased toxic algae blooms in our lakes and rivers; increased infrastructure damage and costs due to flooding; water hauling or deeper wells for household use due to a shortage of groundwater sources; increased health-care costs due to freshwater pollution and decreased property values due to lack of fishing, swimming, etc.

The Water Security Agency is trying to convince us that 86 per cent of wetlands remain undrained. Researchers have shown that in some parts of Saskatchewan we’ve lost 90 per cent of the wetlands.

The definition of stewardship is the responsible use and protection of the natural environment through conservation and sustainable practices. How can this policy be called a stewardship policy when it only benefits a few, won’t allow wetland restoration, ignores downstream impacts, and fails to protect environment?

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Sherry Forsyth, Saskatchewan Alliance for Water Sustainability, Kannata Valley

Legislature provides binge-worthy storylines

I’ve been an infrequent viewer of The Legislature (29th season now streaming), but the latest plot has me watching intently. In one of this season’s story lines, the governing party’s negotiations with teachers are stalled by disagreement over entrenching funding for appropriate classroom size.

The writers draw us in with a predictable narrative that the Saskatchewan Party leaders are boorish ideologues with no empathy for the teachers’ plight.

Then, in an astonishing plot twist, the Saskatchewan Party transforms the Legislature into a replica of an overcrowded high-school classroom, presumably to experience it for themselves.

The attention to detail is impressive: trash-texting (of the “teacher”, no less), “students” hooting and gibbering at the slightest provocation, and bullying of the less popular kids.

A standout performance comes from the young man cast as The Bully. All season, he’s been an uninspiring tough-guy stereotype, gleefully harassing anyone outside his clique. In a shocking turn, after his antics draw sharp words from the teacher, he flees the room.

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We are left to imagine an off-camera blubbering mess. Bravo.

We likely won’t see some of these performers next season. Hollywood is sure to scoop them up for roles in the rumoured remake of 2001: A Space Odyssey; specifically, playing the apes in the opening scene.

Kishore Visvanathan, Saskatoon

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