Editor:
In the Feb. 9 Coast Reporter, Minister of Health Adrian Dix is quoted four times as saying “most people” want the Trellis facility to go ahead. I wonder how he defines “most.” Quite recently, a letter signed by 10,000 people was taken by hand to Victoria and submitted to the legislature. All the signatories were opposed to a profit-based seniors’ care facility. All of them want to stay with the NDP’s roots of caring for the public through public ownership. Trellis doesn’t come close.
“Most people” remember the research outcomes, which place public care facilities ahead of private ones in their hours of care to patients, in their salaries, benefits and other respectful behaviours towards both patients and staff. We need to be aware that Dix’s “expectation” of the same wages and benefits applying at Trellis isn’t obvious at the moment, as staff have been told they will lose pensions and seniority. Clearly, he defines “expectation” differently than we do!
And shockingly, Dix promises to “continue to work with the community” in the planning of future seniors’ health care services. Again we must ask how he defines the word “continue” here. One major concern of residents is that Vancouver Coastal Health and the Ministry of Health have never consulted with any concerned community groups or members. It may have been the Liberals who initiated this arrogant behaviour, but the NDP must now wear the blame for ignoring the public’s wishes.
So, Mr. Dix, you should carry a dictionary around with you, as your definitions don’t work for “most people” on the Coast.
Gail Riddell, Sechelt
