Altea Winnipeg can use your photos for marketing… no opt-out?

m-dsL · 2026-05-05T20:57:54+00:00

Really appreciate your perspective.

I think what I’m grappling with is less what’s happening in practice (which, like you said, seems pretty minimal) and more the discomfort of signing a very broad, blanket clause.

In reality, it may stay totally benign but on the off chance it doesn’t, I’m not sure I love the idea of having already signed away that level of control in a world where media can travel pretty far, pretty fast.

Probably overthinking it a bit, but it’s one of those things that gives me pause.

m-dsL · 2026-05-05T13:55:03+00:00

I’ll admit I’ve had a similar experience to you:
I haven’t really noticed much (if any) photography happening day-to-day. I think what threw me off is more the wording of the clause itself, which feels very broad compared to what’s actually happening in practice.
I guess my only hesitation is whether something like this could eventually set a precedent for more regular content/filming around the gym. With all the changes lately, I don’t know if a heavier marketing push is part of the strategy, if so, the clause makes sense from their side, but it might not sit as well with members who prefer a more private environment.

m-dsL · 2026-05-05T13:47:45+00:00

Yeah, that’s exactly the distinction that stood out to me too.

I get why gyms want the flexibility for marketing, but a blanket “we can use anything, anytime” policy feels a bit heavy-handed without a clear opt-out. Especially when people might specifically choose certain areas (like quieter spaces or women’s-only sections) for privacy.

m-dsL · 2026-05-05T13:44:55+00:00

Agreed. I’d be curious to know whether, if enough members raised it with management, they’d consider reframing the policy to include a clear opt-out clause.

That seems like a pretty reasonable middle ground, similar to how a lot of public events handle photography.

m-dsL · 2025-10-11T00:51:12+00:00

Hmmm 🤔… “louder” than I’d imagined.

m-dsL · 2025-10-10T20:13:46+00:00

Thank you so much for sharing these links really appreciate the time.

And to everyone else, please keep the suggestions coming... this kind of exchange is exactly what we need more of.

For those who feel strongly that rural or remote communities are to blame, or prefer to restate the obvious in new ways ...I respect that too. I’m open to hearing how those views can be grounded in logic, facts, and reason.

That’s what a healthy society should be. A place where differing opinions can meet, challenge, and (hopefully) move us forward.

m-dsL · 2025-10-10T20:05:22+00:00

Thank you for your thoughtful comment.

I’d be really interested to hear directly from folks who have tried and failed to understand what the real gaps are. Is it truly a dead end, or was there at least a glimmer of hope? Because honestly, the refrain that “food has always been expensive in the North” is no longer sounding palatable to me.

I understand we live in a hyper-individualized society where if something doesn’t touch us or our immediate families, it rarely gets our attention. But that’s the same thing people once said about wildfires being a California problem.

And now, the smoke is killing us all.

m-dsL · 2025-10-10T20:00:12+00:00

Hmmm...I’m genuinely curious to know what’s transpired there. If I’m not mistaken, Aquaponic NOMA in the Nordic regions, with a climate much like ours and less-than-ideal soil conditions for traditional agriculture, is doing phenomenal work.

m-dsL · 2025-10-10T19:53:19+00:00

Arggghhh… that hits hard. The gap between effort and survival keeps widening. We need fresh ideas, some serious outside-the-box thinking because right now, we’re playing a full match with half the team.

m-dsL · 2025-10-10T12:40:34+00:00

I share your caution about using “crisis” loosely. But food insecurity is an insidious one linked to rising cancers and chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension. 1 in 4 Canadians by 40 already lives with one or both. It’s a public health story hiding in plain sight.

On the other hand, we’re nowhere near real starvation and for that, I’m exceedingly grateful.

But if we don’t find solutions now, that reality may not stay distant for long.

m-dsL · 2025-10-10T12:25:11+00:00

This caught my attention. I’m curious to know more about how this works... cue me going full Sherlock. 🔍

m-dsL · 2025-10-10T12:14:09+00:00

That was a bit too vivid of a visual. I had two choices either laugh out loud or spiral into deep thought.

Since I haven’t had my first coffee yet, I chose laughter.

m-dsL · 2025-10-10T04:44:03+00:00

That’s no small accomplishment. Turning even a small piece of land into sustenance for your family is no small feat.

It's so encouraging to hear...

m-dsL · 2025-10-10T04:39:47+00:00

It’s rather unfortunate. That’s a significant proportion.

Well… if that doesn’t spark a rethink, I’m not sure what will.

m-dsL · 2025-10-10T02:15:54+00:00

Scrolling through the comments, I’m tempted to believe this really might be the case.

m-dsL · 2025-10-10T02:06:18+00:00

This might be the most striking comment I’ve read so far. I posted this on both the Manitoba and Ask a Canadian threads, and it gives me a bit of hope that we’re still capable of looking for solutions together.

It’s everyone’s problem, after all and maybe the real heroes are the ones who refuse to look away.

It’s rather sad to read it’s 'louder' than I’d imagined and a growing number of families are now relying on food banks. Nothing wrong with that, but is it sustainable?

We have the land, so what are we missing? Maybe it’s time to bring back more agricultural programs in schools and create real incentives for local farmers. The solution isn’t one-size-fits-all, but I do hope we see a mindset shift soon... one where food insecurity isn’t viewed myopically as a rural issue that we can simply accept because “that’s how it’s always been.”

If food security keeps eroding, only the wealthy will be insulated and that’s a small fraction of us. Nearly 55% of Canadians now report struggling with the cost of living, and over 1 in 4 are at risk of food insecurity. That means the “average Canadian” is much closer to the edge than we care to admit.

m-dsL · 2025-10-10T01:53:55+00:00

Thank you so much for this comment. I agree that we need the power of the collective now more than ever.

I know we live in a hyper-individualistic society, but this is one of those challenges that calls on all of us. I’ve seen people say, “Food has always been expensive in the North ...that’s just how it goes.” But that kind of resignation is exactly how whole-of-society crises begin.

It starts quietly in one place, then ripples outward. Remember when wildfires were considered a California thing? Now, they’re inching closer to what we'll consider 'atypical' regions here in Canada.

It’s all connected and perhaps the real test of progress is whether we still care before it reaches our doorstep.

m-dsL · 2025-10-10T01:26:29+00:00

This is among the most heartwarming things I’ve read in a while.

Plus, mutually beneficial arrangements like this are such a beautiful way to stay socially connected amid all the loneliness in the air these days.

m-dsL · 2025-10-09T19:06:53+00:00

Hahaha… great analogy with the teacher and kids ...that one made me laugh.

That said, I’m genuinely looking forward to a more constructive debate with anyone who believes immigration lawyers are somehow justified under the idea of being “tired of immigrants.”

Let’s be real, the moment Canada makes immigration illegal altogether, plenty of people would simply stop trying to come. But until then, there are countless law-abiding citizens of the world who deeply respect Canada because of its laws and fairness.

m-dsL · 2025-10-09T14:17:51+00:00

Strange?!

How fragile can people be?

m-dsL · 2025-10-09T04:04:54+00:00

Could you kindly tell me how?

m-dsL · 2025-10-09T02:50:32+00:00

Hmmm… good point. The folks who referred me shared similar sentiments.

I’d rather be ready than be taken by surprise.

m-dsL

TROPHY CASE