‘Non-public well being care will enable innovation and enhance the Canadian well being care system.’

Current historical past

Re Scandals Drive Ukrainian Officers To Resign (Jan. 25): A number of years earlier than Ukrainian independence, a rural bus driver advised me how he had day by day pocketed cash from his fare field and finally had sufficient to purchase a automobile – and bribe the official in control of the ready record.

“However you’re stealing from the individuals,” I mentioned. His reply: “No I’m not, I’m taking from the state. There’s a distinction.” That minimize simply by way of numerous difficult political science.

Issues started altering in 2014. A tradition of investigative journalism had developed with a maturing free press. The primary technology of Ukrainians that didn’t develop up within the Soviet Union was pushing upward. The preliminary Ukrainian rebellion was in opposition to corruption and a president who constructed himself a $300-million searching lodge.

Actor Volodymyr Zelensky’s hit comedy collection has many wry episodes dealing head-on with state corruption. Let’s hope that President Zelensky also can lastly rid Ukraine of disabling corruption.

Greg Michalenko Waterloo, Ont.

Perceive?

Re Courting A Battle Over Part 33 (Editorial, Jan. 25): The Prime Minister’s motion on this situation is admirable. This seems to be a step in the best route and we hope all parliamentarians of all political stripes will oppose pre-emptive use of the however clause.

In the meantime, English-speaking Quebeckers stay apprehensive that the federal authorities is embracing proactive use of the however clause by way of its proposed replace of the Official Languages Act. Invoice C-13 would place Quebec’s Constitution of the French Language (Invoice 101) – which, as amended by Invoice 96, is shielded by the however clause – inside key components of this quasi-constitutional act.

An open letter to the Lawyer-Common signed by greater than 2,400 people, largely English-speaking Quebeckers, urges parliamentarians to keep away from all references to the Constitution of the French Language in federal laws.

It is a circle that must be squared.

Eva Ludvig President, Quebec Neighborhood Teams Community; Montreal

The however clause was inserted into the Constitution Of Rights and Freedoms in order that authorities may very well be free from judicial intervention the place it’s relevant. A reference to the Supreme Court docket for recommendation on the matter seems to be exactly what it was designed to keep away from.

Many, like Justice Minister David Lametti, say that the however clause was by no means meant for use pre-emptively. However the place is the authority for that proposition? It appears to me that if such had been the intention, the reply would have been discovered within the patriation debates.

Pierre Trudeau was confronted with a constitution that included an escape hatch, or no constitution in any respect. The present Prime Minister is confronted with one other selection: Does he ask the Supreme Court docket whether or not authorities can pre-emptively use the clause and danger getting a solution that will additional embolden provinces? Or does he depart it alone?

Howard Greenfield Montreal

Wholesome debate

Re Well being Reform Can’t Wait For Politicians (Jan. 24): What significantly caught my consideration was an knowledgeable panel’s “robust plea for sufferers to have unfettered entry to their well being knowledge.” Completely agree, however l don’t think about myself a affected person.

I advised my then-doctor, greater than 30 years in the past, that l think about myself a buyer that personally pays for well being care companies by way of my taxes. As a buyer, I’m accountable and accountable for understanding and approving each my pressing and long run well being care wants, until l am incapacitated.

As a buyer, a health care provider shouldn’t deal with me like a affected person, implying helplessness and having no capability to grasp advanced remedy choices. That’s hogwash and feels paternalistic and condescending.

I see no good goal in referring to well being care clients as sufferers. I’m a consumer and l have a proper to my complete medical file.

Ian Follett Calgary

Re A Well being Deal Is Shut, And what Follows The Cash Issues Extra (Jan. 26): We welcome the prospect of a deal between the federal authorities and its provincial counterparts to extend well being funding.

We have now lengthy argued the Canada Well being Switch should enhance to deal with the nursing disaster, entry to major care and enhancements in long-term care, dwelling care and mental-health helps. Nurses insist that funding be earmarked to deal with these points and progress be publicly reported.

We’re glad to listen to that Doug Ford understands funding will include strings connected. We additionally demand the federal authorities make sure that provinces uphold totally the letter and spirit of the Canada Well being Act. Not even one penny ought to go to for-profit clinics akin to these focusing on hip and knee surgical procedures. These clinics will possible value taxpayers extra, ship much less high quality and security and erode our universally accessible well being system.

Ontarians want a well being system that’s accountable to individuals and sufferers – not buyers.

Doris Grinspun RN, PhD, O.Ont; CEO, Registered Nurses’ Affiliation of Ontario; Toronto

Re We Want Competitors In Well being Care (Jan. 23): Inequality of selections and outcomes is a reality of life. Makes an attempt to supply fairness, then, deny the liberty of people to decide on what fits their wants.

I help physician Brian Day’s view that personal well being care will enable innovation and enhance the Canadian well being care system.

Jiti Khanna Vancouver

Many international locations have non-public well being care plans. Most of them are considerably consumer pay. It is senseless to fund non-public care with tax {dollars}.

By all means have a two-tier system, however non-public suppliers ought to fund themselves with clients who pay for these service. Public funds for personal care is an oxymoron.

Tony Burt Vancouver

Elsewhere

Re Rising Pains (Letters, Jan. 25): Like a letter-writer, I’m additionally from Toronto, however a really totally different one.

She sympathizes with householders who “spent their hard-working lifetimes struggling to at some point afford a house amongst some bushes, to reside in a close-knit neighborhood of different householders.” She doesn’t appear keen on individuals who don’t reside in affluent detached-home neighbourhoods.

The perspective is comprehensible. Let’s simply not delude ourselves that it must be seen as something however short-sighted and self-interested.

Daniel Patrick Visconti Toronto

Gone to the canines

Re Barking Straight To The Financial institution (Pursuits, Jan. 21): I’m an excellent sport and I’m amused to be taught that I’ve as a namesake a mini Australian shepherd.

Together with his personal Instagram account (@Justbeingfarley), this canine influencer has been raking it in by way of partnerships with varied doggy manufacturers and merchandise.

However actually, Farley. “Poop luggage?” Isn’t that beneath our dignity?

Farley Helfant Toronto

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