Expand the debate on assisted dying
Re: “Keep religion out of MAID debate,” letter, Jan. 3.
Presumably discussion and debate about legislated expansion of eligibility for medical assistance in dying to include mental illness should preclude religiously inspired people from participation, while non- and anti-religious sentiments are given exclusive privilege.
Why? Last I checked, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms is prefaced with “Whereas Canada is founded upon principles that recognizes the supremacy of God and the rule of law” and proceeds to enshrine Canadians with rights to fundamental freedoms such as “conscience and religion,” “thought, belief and expression.”
Would we have wanted to prevent Baptist minister Tommy Douglas from public promotion of Canada’s medicare system? Or Catholic Mother Teresa of reminding the world of the dignity of the poor, or Baptist pastor Martin Luther King Jr. from promoting justice for his fellow African Americans?
This list could easily expand to include historical and contemporary examples from varied religious traditions at the local and global level.
Canada and California legalized human euthanasia the same year, and have similar populations. Yet in 2021 in California only 486 people died by MAID, while in Canada in the same year 10,064 died by deliberate doctor intervention.
What’s going on? There’s growing evidence that people suffering social, medical and financial hardships are opting to die by MAID.
God forbid. A psychiatrist who participated in drafting a national euthanasia training curriculum testified before a national committee and stated: “I believe the Canadian populace and maybe even the legislators are not aware of who has been qualifying for MAID.”
It’s life and death we’re talking about. Let’s not silence voices, but expand the debate.
Fr. Dean N. Henderson, pastor
Our Lady of the Rosary
Langford
Opposite philosophies in the MAID debate
After reading the opinions of various letter-writers on the issue of MAID and its pending further liberalization, perhaps a succinct summary might be whether you believe in the phrase “Thy will be done” or “My will be done.”
The term compassion was used in nearly all the correspondence supporting MAID. One might consider whether the road to hell is perhaps paved with compassion?
Thomas Maxwell
Victoria
That Ontario law could be far-reaching
Re: “Convoy organizer calls off plans for a 2023 protest,” Jan. 3.
I am ever so grateful that James Bauder has explained the intricacies of Ontario’s Bill 100 as a reason to call off the planned Winnipeg anniversary convoy.
I was worried my occasional lapse of thought, leading to double parking in Victoria, could lead to scores of Ontario bylaw officers descending on me with ticket books and sharpened pencils in hand.
It is Canada’s loss that Bauder and his wife may not have the opportunity to lead and impart wisdom to our nation. Sign me “Concerned Citizen” in case Bill 100 covers letters to the editor in B.C.
Jim Palmateer
Victoria
Do we levy fines? Do we offer shore power?
Re: “A big engine idling, and consequences?” letter, Jan. 4.
The letter brings up good points.
There are two points to resolve: Idling autos and idling ships.
How many fines have been laid on owners idling autos, particularly the police, and cars in the ferry lineup (no excuses)?
How much longer do we have to wait for an agreed action with available technology (I think it was agreed in 2010) to have shore power up and running (no more time is acceptable)?
If we made a no-idling-ship law, and it was enforced, ships would find a way (solar and battery power comes to mind, but there are other environmentally friendly options).
Ship owners are using us (with no shore power) as an excuse keep big diesel generators running.
Bill Yearwood
Victoria
Without a home, a job is much tougher
Re: “Plenty of people could take those jobs,” letter, Jan. 4.
Imagine wanting to work, but you are homeless. You’ve slept outside all night in the cold. Your clothes are in a suitcase that you bring with you wherever you go.
You have to pack up your camp and take it all with you or it will be stolen. You also have to take all this gear with you to a job site. You have no way to shower in the morning.
You may have to line up for breakfast, but you may also have to take a bus to your job. But with your new job the bus arrives so early, you miss that breakfast.
Imagine a morning like this … and the evening to follow.
Anne Grimes
Fairfield
Science teachers educate, inspire their students
Re: “We need to close Canada’s STEM professions gap,” commentary, Jan. 4.
While there are myriad points I would strongly contest in today’s commentary, as someone who worked as a B.C. teacher for 40 years and who hired teachers for the last eight years of my career, I take great and specific exception to the idea that secondary science teachers in our schools are not trained, educated or current with today’s needs and qualifications for various STEM positions.
The idea that the union interferes with this is ludicrous. To suggest that current secondary science teachers lack expertise and enthusiasm is also ridiculous.
Secondary science teachers are specifically educated and trained in the latest STEM areas and are hired accordingly. They educate and inspire their students every day.
More than any layperson, a secondary science teacher is thoroughly educated and knowledgeable regarding the foundation of the subject areas and the needs and applications in today’s society.
They also keep informed, educated and current through their own professional development. The writer should speak to these amazing educators before laying blame and defaming their life’s work.
Kathryn Sihota
Metchosin
Let doctors assess and pharmacists prescribe
I wish to thank the exceptional service I have received for many years from the pharmacists in Mill Bay.
I am not impressed, however, by the baby steps introduced by Health Minister Adrian Dix, who has authorized them to have prescriptive powers in matters of minor ailments and contraception.
That clearly does a disservice to all pharmacists who are, in fact, the best trained and equipped to assess what medication is best suited to deal with a medical condition.
This does not imply a lesser role for physicians who will continue to determine one’s ailments; but pharmacists, I argue, are better equipped than MDs to determine the best course of medical prescriptions suitable to address the doctor’s determination. Teamwork is imperative.
As a lifelong pain sufferer, there have been many occasions when I provided the pharmacists with a medical note from my doctor for a certain medication.
When presenting it to the pharmacist for dispensing, there have been several occasions when they immediately contacted my physician to ostensibly discuss the reason why a certain medication was ordered, when, perhaps another or adjusted strength was indicated as more appropriate.
This collaborative approach between the two disciplines suggest that MDs’ role is to assess, while pharmacists determine the appropriate medication required to treat the identified condition.
Eric J. Ronse
Shawnigan Lake
Details not mentioned in Island Health report
Re: “Looking at what is ahead for Island Health,” commentary, Dec. 29.
Congratulations to Island Health for its many “investments.” You’ve worked hard to spend our money. I’m especially impressed by the $240 million in “corporate” expenditures, up 13 per cent from last year (58 per cent since 2015), and your 10 vice-presidents. I’m surprised you didn’t mention this.
Your statistics also omit how much benefit we’re getting from all these investments.
How much care was provided before? After? How many more “investments” will it take to end hallway medicine and endless waits?
Thanks for highlighting primary care. All those empty UPCCs that are so poorly run they can’t attract staff and see a tiny number of patients have been a fantastic investment.
How many more people don’t have a family doctor now?
Government health authorities fund, manage, and operate the system and then report on their own performance. Not great for accountability. A preschooler could understand this — even if they don’t know what “conflict of interest” means.
Cut the “excellence” crap. There’s not enough propaganda in the world to hide our crumbling health system.
Mark Roseman
Victoria
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