On a typically cold mid-February day in 1942, the Second World War landed quite literally on Winnipeggers’ doorsteps — uniformed Nazi soldiers marched in formation downtown, while the CBC airwaves were commandeered for German propaganda.
This was “If Day” — an elaborate drill, enacted as an over-the-top plea to boost Victory Bond sales to fund the war effort.
Without fanfare and Hollywood costumes and explosions, this year nevertheless brought us a glimpse into a “what if” future again for Winnipeg.
A river that barely freezes in winter. Summers with days too hot to enjoy. Beaches closed due to algae, invasive species and E. coli. The devastation of our century-old urban forest. Months on end with smoke-filled streets. Hundreds of people displaced to Winnipeg by fire and flood.
Columnist Rebecca Chambers writes on how there are no concrete directives to stave off this crisis and no bonds to buy this time.
To read more of this story first reported by the Winnipeg Free Press, click here.
This content is made available to Canada's National Observer readers as part of an agreement with the Winnipeg Free Press that sees our two trusted news brands collaborate to better cover Canada. Questions about Winnipeg Free Press content can be directed to [email protected].
Comments
Just to reinforce the thought, there is the excellent, troubling Amazon Prime series, "The Man in the High Castle".
Never heard of that, as a born and raised Winnipeger.
Other cities should be aware as well. I do know the heat on Grand Beach Manitoba on Lake Winnipeg got significantly more intolerable since 2000.
Plus algae in this lake which is larger than Lake Ontario. And referring to another article about Manitoba Hydro. Prairie drought in the West has reduced water flow from Alberta and Saskatchewan and all that lack of water coming, is the cause of more electricity generation by natural gas. Ah the future, wonderful to think what is on the horizon!