Finding comfort in a long, long queue
It’s amazing that our government, which until very recently abandoned the people of B.C. to an underfunded and inefficient health-care system propped up on the backs of dedicated but exhausted health-care workers, can find a way to attack anyone — this time Telus Health — for daring to offer access to a health professional for a fee.
Recent virtue-signalling platitudes and ideological statements by our new premier about “buying your way to the front of the line” keep us in our place. Funny how most of Europe seems to combine public and private health care so effectively, while we, in the name of some bizarre fantasy of equality, make sure that for millions of people our health care system continually fails them.
So when someone is told that there is no possible date set for their cancer treatment to start because the line for a biopsy is so long, I am sure it is comforting to them to know that there is a long queue and they and thousands of others are stuck on it.
Bizarre. Outrageous.
Sue Johnson
Registered clinical psychologist
Victoria
Nine homes, no parking, and a bigger return
The deed is done. An infill development at the corner of Allenby and Richmond has been unanimously approved by Saanich council. A corner lot that could have comfortably fit a duplex or maybe accommodated three units with setbacks and other restrictions now has been approved for nine homes with no parking. Shocking.
Now, however, what must be addressed is the elephant on the block and how any developer, no matter how righteous and eco-friendly, can parlay an investment return of perhaps $750,000 (times three) on the lot to an extraordinary $600,000 (times nine). Don’t quibble with the numbers, the point is made.
For the neighbours, my biggest fear would be the crushing footprint of the beast and its trunk probing the privacy of everyone around it. But the developer gets $5.4 million. Nice.
Max Miller
Saanich
Truck parade deserves praise, not complaints
The truck parade has been going on for many years, bringing much joy to all bystanders young and old, who all make their way to the very favourite roadside spot, meeting up with family and friends no matter rain, wind or snow, with great anticipation for lights and sound, yes, including the horns.
Unless sponsored by a big company, many independent individuals have spent thousands of dollars lighting up the trucks.
Not only copious money, but many hours putting together the exciting lit vehicles. It is a wonderful tradition marking the approach of Christmas. A large amount of people look forward to it. I appreciate and thank all participants.
Julie Cook
Duncan
Truck convoy offers a sense of community
Our family was thrilled to see the many businesses show up at the truck parade and bring a strong sense of community, pride and Christmas season after two years of COVID hell.
To the letter-writers complaining about some “woke” comparison to the trucker convoy, get a grip.
If you are that traumatized about an annual Victoria staple, I recommend therapy, not adding to cancel culture ideologies during the festive season.
Derek Sanderson
Victoria
Trucks offered a joyful display of cheer
What is the matter with people that they can’t enjoy the lights and noise of the truck parade?
It was an uplifting, joyful display of cheer and joy. I can’t imagine how it could bring back memories of the protests.
There were no placards, yelling and disturbing of businesses or homes.
My husband and I are 85 and 90. And we loved seeing and hearing it all go by our home.
Thank you for all you truckers for spreading Christmas joy, can’t wait for next year.
Margaret Wacko
Victoria
Deciding what is right in a complex situation
“Canada should delay MAiD for mental disorders: psychiatrists,” Dec. 3.
The response from the psychiatric profession suggesting that MAiD be delayed perhaps should be placed in context, given that such objections may very well be a conflict of interest in terms of how these patients form their client/patient base.
Indeed, at the risk of sounding crass or insensitive to the circumstances surrounding mental-health issues, why would they sanction the termination of that which supports their practice? In the final analysis it would seem that the interests of the patient’s longer-term care and quality of life are paramount, but therein rests the dilemma: What constitutes quality of life and what care would improve that patient’s life?
Clearly it is a complex and heart-wrenching situation and requires the objectivity as well as compassion that it commands when such life-altering decisions are made.
Whether psychiatrists are well placed to be part of that decision-making process is open to debate, given that in some quarters of our society the psychiatric profession is often perceived by some as being part of the problem as opposed to the solution — rightly or wrongly.
Obviously the Hippocratic oath works both ways in terms of “doing no harm,” and in the case of the mentally ill, or anyone who is terminally ill for that matter, what is the most humane choice or decision that is bereft of any thoughts of maintaining a client base, or keeping a terminally ill patient on life support that no longer serves a purpose?
Clive King
North Saanich
Appreciate what our vets have done
All Canadians should be outraged over the Canadian government offering assisted dying to a vet who was simply looking for the government to provide a wheelchair ramp in her home. And this fight has been going on for five years?
This government has no trouble finding millions of our tax dollars to send to foreign countries without the blink of an eye. And yet they can’t find the funds to help with a wheel chair ramp for a vet? And how many other similar cases are out there that we don’t hear about?
This is shocking and tells a lot about this government’s priorities, and it certainly isn’t to help our vets. It seems easier to snuff out a life than give them the help they deserve. And now they want to make assisted dying even more available. Since when have we had a government in this country that promotes death over life?
It looks like we could be heading for an election in the spring. If so, please remember this if you appreciate our vets and if you value your life and that of your loved ones. Because your government certainly doesn’t.
Theresa Moylan
Victoria
Use the old hospital for the homeless
The Cowichan hospital will abandon its current facility in three years (or so). Rather than razing the building, it should be looked at as a possible alternative to house the homeless from Vancouver Island.
Society would have options for the care of people with intellectual challenges. In short, it would become a smaller version of the old Riverview hospital.
In addition, it would provide employment for support staff such as health care workers, counsellors and for those in the medical community.
Let us not squander this opportunity, and realize that if it is implemented, we will have safer and cleaner streets — which would benefit the tourism industry.
The current system is broken, and a relatively easy fix is staring us all in the face.
Let the politicians know that a solution to homelessness is not an insurmountable decision to act upon.
Eric J. Ronse
Shawnigan Lake
Gibraltar is no colony, it governs itself
As a resident of Gibraltar, I much enjoyed reading the Rick Steves piece about the place in the Dec. 3 issue. That is, with one exception, a major inaccuracy repeated several times.
Steves called Gibraltar a British colony. It is not. It is self-governing, has its own laws, has its own justice system, and raises its own taxes.
In short, it does its own thing, including, as you pointed out, rejecting Spanish claims to it.
It is a British Overseas Territory and as such the only U.K. role in the place is its defence and foreign policy.
Your readers may think this is dancing on the head of a pin, but his mistake is a common one if people do not do their research and it really upsets the people who live here, love the place, and respect its status.
Stuart Garner
Gibraltar
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