Episode 34, Part 1: Marty Gold recaps the podcasts over the last 2 months which have attracted more listeners than ever, generated unique news tips, and sparked earnest public debate.
Which episodes were ahead of the curve in identifying trends in politics, crime and City Hall? Hear the details of the stories and issues unreported in the mass media, and hear why it’s important to help expand the reach of TGCTS by spreading the word to friends, co-workers and your community.
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10.20 – Part 2 – Can Manitobans measure the return on investment of searching for the bodies of murder victims?
On Thursday the government of Manitoba decided the logistics of searching the privately run Prairie Green landfill for two women who are believed to be victims of an alleged serial killer wasn’t worth the risk.
A study had maintained it would cost $184 million and require 40 staff, including managers, elders and knowledge keepers, analysts, technicians and hazmat personnel. The study referenced the distress to the victims’ family members and Indigenous communities if a search wasn’t paid for. The AMC claimed the study outlined a safe way forward.
One Chief argued “If this was your loved one that was in the landfill, wouldn’t you do everything in your power to try and bring that person home?”
After meeting with family members of the 2 victims to reveal the PC’s aren’t paying, Premier Stefanson and Reconciliation Minister Eileen Clarke issued a statement.
Marty breaks down the liability aspect ie “cannot knowingly risk Manitoba workers’ health and safety for a search without a guarantee” of finding remains. Is that too harsh, or is it a sound judgement? The government also cited “long-term human health and safety concerns that simply cannot be ignored.”
We risk lives to saves live all the time. In this case the argument is different: it gets emotional, it can be used for political leverage, and it’s not saving lives this time – it’s about dead people. What part of the story about their alleged killer has dropped from media coverage? Do ‘human rights’ factor into evaluating the demands to dig?
There’s other questions to be asked and considered.
Noting the commitment to “address the many sources of violence against Indigenous women and girls”, Marty thinks that after turning down this $184M project, Stefanson might consider instead tossing a mere 10% of that to prevent more murdered women being connected to the Main Street strip.
The boyfriend of the late Falin Johnston and others near the June 26 scene spoke of the fright and terror any Winnipegger walking the 4 blocks north of City Hall and crossing the street. She was apparently assaulted outdoors, and died in her room.
She had spoken up about core area danger for women.
Marty gives the brief history of the skid row subculture that has been perpetuated for 40 years and asks why these comments are ignored:
“How much money do people have to make around here … before we actually get police around here and security to protect us?”
“People call it no man’s land. Nobody cares what happens to them.”
Keep in mind, this mayhem spreads south towards the Exchange and Ellice Avenue.
Instead of a landfill excavation, we float a few proposals to save the living.
There are police at the Millennium Library, but the area outside the Salvation Army is currently far more dangerous. Winnipeg does not have emergency, overnight shelters, exclusively for women. Why not. It won’t cost $18M.
Hear why the authorities need to change course on the ‘root cause’ of many violent attacks and murders in North and South Point Douglas off Main Street. Will this murder wake them up?