Editor:
I've been trying to figure out why the government has been treating the paramedics in such a shabby manner. These first responders are a group that is close to our hearts and the government's treatment of them is shocking. Not only did they have a lousy contract imposed on them, but they didn't even hit the radar for H1N1 vaccines. Now we hear that their request for a review of the structure of the service has been largely ignored.
Why is this happening?
The only reason I can come up with is that the government wants to privatize the service, and by making conditions intolerable, they can sell the idea of privatization to the public.
I hope that all people who care about our health care service will let the government know it's time to place the working conditions and wages of paramedics on par with the other first responders - the police and firefighters.
Linda Forsythe
Gibsons