Dan Lett
Winnipeg Free Press
Canada
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Past articles by Dan:
Opinion: In this fairy tale, Tories likely won’t live happily ever after
Once upon a time, in a province named Manitoba, a Progressive Conservative premier introduced a bold plan to cut taxes and increase spending on core services in a bid to win an election. It was 1999 and Gary Filmon went for broke with something he called his “50-50 plan.” Running neck-and-neck with the NDP, Filmon promised $500 million in tax cuts and $500 million in new spending on priority… → Read More
Opinion: Manitoba government bets big on nurses’ forgiveness
It may be exactly the right plan, but it may have come at precisely the wrong time. → Read More
Opinion: Premier’s breezy excuses for rule-breaking ‘oversight’ could create headwind at ballot box
If she had to, Premier Heather Stefanson could teach a master class in excuse-making. → Read More
Opinion: Stefanson has lifeline; sinking city waiting for her to throw it
Judging from the details provided at the release of its 2023 operating budget, it would not be an exaggeration to say that the City of Winnipeg is treading water, barely able to keep its head dry. → Read More
Opinion: Parks are nice; having people living nearby to enjoy them is nicer
You think we would have learned our lesson. → Read More
Opinion: They gotta fight for their right to folly
It may be the ultimate irony. → Read More
Province steps in as MPI untendered contracts come to light
Manitoba Public Insurance awarded more than $12 million in untendered contracts to global consulting giant McKinsey & Company in a desperate bid to stop additional cost overruns for its Project Nova, the Free Press has learned. → Read More
Opinion: Manitoba chequebook changes hands in cabinet shuffle
It’s Premier Heather Stefanson cabinet, but it may go down as Cameron Friesen’s shuffle. → Read More
MPI pulls back hiring plan amid public, political outcry
Manitoba Public Insurance has backed away from a plan to hire 300 new full-time employees, after being warned by the Progressive Conservative government its operating budget for the next fiscal year may not be approved, the Free Press has learned. → Read More
Plenty for podcast panel to ponder
What does a Walrus have in common with a Manitoba winter, safer-consumption sites for those addicted to drugs and federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre? Not much really, but a special year-end/start of 2023 episode of the Niigaan and the Lone Ranger Podcast managed to cover all of those topics and several others. → Read More
Out of step, likely out of government
In the very first few days of 2023, Manitoba Progressive Conservatives find themselves trapped between a political rock and a policy hard place. → Read More
All the news that’s fit to print… and wear
What is black and white and very, very classy all over? How about the Winnipeg Art Gallery’s new exhibit to mark the 15oth anniversary of the Winnipeg Free Press? → Read More
Klein’s narrow victory highlights troubles for both Tories, NDP
In the Kirkfield Park byelection result, Premier Heather Stefanson can see both her political demise and her salvation. → Read More
Police chief didn’t know, and didn’t bother to find out
Is $150,000 a fair price to put on the lives of two murdered Indigenous women? → Read More
Province ignored early symptoms of oncoming health crisis
We were warned something like this was going to happen. → Read More
Nothing fancy, but Gillingham will keep this car on the road
Winnipeg — meet the mechanic. → Read More
Ghosting voters cardinal sin for politicians
There are few things a politician can do to anger the electorate more than promising publicly to meet with someone or some group and then ghosting them. It’s the kind of betrayal that can tarnish a government’s reputation and sink a political career. → Read More
Spotlight on catalytic converters seeks to erase black market
It is well-known whatever government does — even the obvious, much-needed and totally justified things — someone will be unhappy about it. We need look no further for proof than Manitoba’s recent efforts to combat the black market for catalytic converters. → Read More
Winnipeg mayoral candidates living in a dream world
After listening to all of the promises uttered by mayoral candidates ahead this fall’s civic election, it’s not hard to believe a new and improved Winnipeg is within our grasp. Imagine a city with EV-charging stations at every civic facility. → Read More
Tory government betting on wrong numbers
It is often said, in the heat of political battle, combatants have the right to their own opinions but they do not have the right to their own version of the facts. When it comes to the debate over the future of Manitoba Hydro, that essential principal seems to have eluded the Progressive Conservative government. → Read More