Coronation Oath offers many benefits
Re: “Swear oath to Canada, not to another person,” letter, May 16.
The Citizenship Oath is an oath to Canada. On page two of the citizenship study guide Discover Canada, “Canadians in waiting” learn that “in Canada, we profess loyalty not to a document such as a constitution, a flag, or a geopolitical entity.
“In our constitutional monarchy, these elements are encompassed by the Sovereign (King or Queen). It is a remarkably simple yet powerful principle: Canada is personified by the Sovereign just as the Sovereign is personified by Canada.”
In return, new Canadians receive the guarantee of freedom, democracy, and the constitutional rights reaching back 800 years to the Magna Carta and restated in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms those of us born in Canada enjoy as our birthright.
The oath is not a one-way pledge as the King in the Coronation Oath has pledged that Canada will be governed according the Canadian law and custom thereby guaranteeing Canadian legislated rights and freedom.
Gerald W. Pash
Former citizenship judge
Victoria
Canadian health system is one of the best
Re: “An outsider’s view of Canadian health care,” letter, May 11.
The writer is correct that the Canadian health-care system needs further improvements. Yes, we need improvements, and more so, in recent years due to manpower challenges, challenges due to rapid population growth and aging, and challenges due to changes in social, economic, and environmental factors.
But let us not forget that ours is a publicly funded health care system — a single tier system — which, despite the problems that the writer is alluding to, is one of the best in the world.
All levels of government in Canada are relentlessly working to address health care challenges that we are facing; we as Canadians need to do our part in managing our health.
However, the writer’s perspective seems to be conditioned by the pervasive two-tier health care system in Chandigarh (India) with which he is no doubt well-accustomed. If you have money in India, you can go to any private hospital such as Fortis or Max in Chandigarh and get the best care that you can afford.
God forbid, if you do not have sufficient funds, you may end up languishing for days and weeks in an overcrowded hallway of a public hospital before you get a few minutes to see a doctor or a specialist.
My wife was in the ICU in a private hospital in Chandigarh in 2013 with a life-threatening condition. Because I could spend a lot of money, she got exceptional care from some remarkably talented Indian physicians and surgeons.
After 10 years she is still alive, largely thanks to the regular care she has been receiving at Royal Jubilee Hospital from very caring nursing staff and other health-care professionals.
With her condition she would not have survived more than a few months in the health-care system that the writer is using as a benchmark to critique and assess the Canadian health-care system.
Yes, our health-care system needs improvements, but it is still one of the best in the world. It is a single-tier system; it treats everyone fairly and equitably.
We are fortunate to be living in Canada.
Paramjit S. Rana
Victoria
We need more health‑care resources
We have too many people, and not enough health resources
Health Minister Adrian Dix has brought no solutions to our health crisis, and should resign.
The doctor shortages have been going on for more than 20 years; I pounded the pavement and was denied a doctor 23 years ago. And now cancer patients are forced to travel, while critically ill, to another country for treatment.
The B.C. government approves the influx of hundreds of thousands of people and councils grant building permits for high-rise condos, demolishing peaceful neighbourhoods with traditional houses every day.
The government knows this. There is no ‘housing shortage’ but there is an overcrowding problem combined with overstretched medical resources.
We need a new health minister who will bring the energy and commitment to resolve our medical crisis.
We can’t go on like this. We need doctors, another hospital, more walk-in clinics and the right to receive cancer treatment on time in our own country.
Diana Atkin
Victoria
What about neighbours of housing complex?
Re: “Mall’s noise to deter loitering disturbs supportive-housing residents,” May 16.
“Residents of a supportive-housing complex near Mayfair shopping centre say they are having trouble sleeping because of a high-pitched noise coming from an anti-loitering device across the street.”
Oh, really?
How many nights of disturbed sleep have surrounding citizens and business owners suffered from the theft, vandalism, threatening behaviour, and overall reduced public safety due to the behaviour of some residents living or hanging around at Muncey Place?
Leah Young, director of housing and shelters at Our Place Society, commented that the noise can be heard from inside some bedrooms at Muncey Place when windows are open. She also says “it’s really unfortunate, because a lot of our residents, you know, they’re working on the path of wellness, and sleep is an important thing for them.”
Sleep is also an important thing to those working for a living, and trying to live peaceful, productive lives. It’s really unfortunate citizens around the area are so negatively impacted.
Perhaps those people aimlessly loitering, defecating, using illicit drugs, leaving behind used drug paraphernalia or setting up illegal shelter behind the small shopping mall should be ordered to disperse permanently.
Mayfair has every right to ensure criminal activity does not happen, and should be allowed to continue with using this security device.
My prediction is that Victoria council will order Mayfair to permanently disable the security sound device. Oops, forgot to mention the device was vandalized about two weeks ago and has not been operational since.
K. Joanne Orcherton
Victoria
Many benefits of ride‑hailing with Uber
Re: “Uber to hit the streets of Greater Victoria this year,” May 11.
Most locals wouldn’t likely have personal experience with Uber, and a recent letter writer seems oblivious to the benefits of ride-hailing. Here is what to expect:
Knowledgeable travellers know that ride-hailing apps are the “way to go” these days. Uber was an indispensable service in the various countries I visited in South America over the winter.
Local taxis in many countries are often unsafe and unreliable, and there can all too easily be frustrating language barriers and payment misunderstandings.
Ride-hailing vehicles are newer models that are well maintained and clean, and the drivers are invariably well dressed and professional.
The app knows your location and when you type in your destination, a range of options (you have a choice of vehicle size) is immediately provided at an exact total price. When you confirm a ride, you are sent the vehicle make, model and licence plate number, and an image of the driver and their name.
You can follow your vehicle’s progress toward your pickup point on the street map, including its distance away and estimated wait time. If there are any questions you can message the driver and vice versa.
When the vehicle arrives, simply confirm your name and destination with the driver and get in. This is all the communication you will need so there is no language barrier.
A major advantage is that you can pay through the app via credit or debit card in local or Canadian currency, although you have the option to pay the driver in local cash.
At the end of the ride you are sent a receipt via email and there is an option to rate the driver, tip them and provide feedback on the ride. And this superior service is often half the cost of a regular taxi in most cities.
The app is designed for simplicity so that basically nothing can go wrong. If for some reason your driver can’t make it, another driver is automatically dispatched and updated details are sent to your device.
By comparison, a travelling companion left their valuables in a local taxi in La Paz and had no way of contacting the driver and never recovered the valuables, whereas with ride-hailing everything is officially recorded and accountability is assured.
Welcome to 21st century ride-hailing, Victoria!
Danny Foster
Saanich
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