In the United Kingdom, the construction industry makes efforts to present competent management, environmental sensitivity and even neighbourliness, says Bev Pike. In Winnipeg, she says, it's an entirely different story.

The anniversary of the Lac-Mégantic rail disaster got me thinking about practicality. In my neighbourhood, Lord Roberts, a similar blast at the rail yards could reach across Pembina Highway well onto Stafford Street, north to Corydon, as far east as the Red River and south to Kingston Crescent.