8 ~ Wednesday, March 5, 1997 ~ North Shore News Vv Protect Canada’s heal Dear Editor: On Dec. 28 the snowfall Jed me to a fall, a hip fracture, complications and admission to Lions Gate Hospital for three weeks’ acute care, and now three weeks of bed rest. Recent media articles focus on ambulance and hospital deficiencies, not strengths. The North Shore is fortunate. Our community hospital func- tions superbly, despite the snow crisis decreasing staff and increasing demand. As a practising physician with a university hospi- tal background here and in Montreal, I feel the stan- dard of care is excellent, not just in my experience bur observing the care of my fellow patients who, despite age, status, ethnic group, etc., received superb nursing and personal care with a human touch. This view is based on 57 years working in hospi- tals, beginning as a nursing orderly with the RCAF (1940). As an ex-poiitician, | have watched how the establishment (banks, Fraser Institute, ete.) have soid many (including Pau! Martin and the Reform party) that all that matters is debt and deficit. Nein roared in Alberta and 20% of the hospital budgets disappeared. He is now admitting crror and restoring the full cut, while a “golfing pro” in Ontario leads the “common sense” revolution in Ontario that threatens health, education and cvery- thing else. Three weeks in bed led me to ask myself “why is Canada the first choice over 170 countries?” It could not be the climate (in most places). No, it is that Canada represents everyone's “sense of community” (ic. from cach according to ability, and to each according to need). We, over genera- th care tions, have created such a society with universal edu- cation, medicare, and ~satery net.” This year will bring a federal election. We must tell the Liberal party mainstream, the resurging con- servatives, and NDP to focus on this core trength of Canada. As one who has been invoived ai! + top level of post-secondary education, I know the trins- fer payments from Otrawa must be cut no further. B.C."s government has not passed on those cuts to education or health. I am sure the traditional parties, who practise the politics of the possible, will respond. I hope the Reformers (of B.@. and Alberta) recognize the Reality of Canada. We have the best social programs in the world. Preserve Canada — the Quebecois value this too. Ray Parkinson, M.D. West Vancouver Heroin sentence slammed Dear Editor: Am I missing some- thing here, or did a judge of our North Vancouver provincial court just give the message that heroin- users make acceptable nan- nies for our children (Nanny nabs heroin break. Feb. 16 News)? What was needed to protect children (and cheir unsuspecting parents) in this case was a sentence car- rying a criminal record. To argue that the deftn- dant “should not have a record because she works in the childcare ficld™ does not fit into my realm of reasonable thinking. Every responsible adult in our society has a role to play in keeping children safe. In this example that responsibility was badly neglected. Diane Scrivener West Vancouver Get going on NV sports court cillors support this project. I don’t want to hear any more NIMBY arguments about this. You promised a replace- ment for the Ross Road lacrosse box. This facility is to be buile on district-owned land for the use of the youth of Lynn Valley. The money has been approved. Get on with it! Derek Andrews North Vancouver derekand@unixg.ubc.ca MAILBOX POLICY LETTERS to the editor must be legible (preferably type- written) and include your name, full address and telephone number. Due to space constraints the North Shore News cannot ublish all letters. Published letters may be edited for revity, clarity, accuracy, legality and taste. Submissions can be faxed to 985-2104 but still must be signed and fully addressed. Open letter to North Vancouver District Coun. Ernie Crist: understand that a revised proposal for the Karen Magnussen sports court is going to council soon. Since you proposed this project be included in the referendum and since you supported the destruction of our previous lacrosse box at Ross Road School, yeu should be the one to make sure your neighbors and the other coun- B.CAA.-ARA | og tye. ee ro VINCI'S ..At Bellevue Landing opening March 8th DISTINCTIVE GIFTS FOR ANY OCCASSION wt a nae “LIFETIME GUARANTEE” g AS LONG AS YOU OWN YOUR CAR =. FALSING x Estimates x | Wg?22.2000 Consultetion 7i4isIS.. 985-7455 . 174 Pemberton Avenue . (4 blks south of Marine) | DON TAYLOR Same owner, same high __,tech equipped shop Sheers from 519° per pleated ft. 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