I NEED A HERO: JANUARY 9, 2009

Happy New Year everyone, I hope that this year holds for you the promise of goodwill you desire and that you are able to achieve your dreams as you embark on your journey remembering it’s the journey not the destination Yes I am still on holidays and it has been kind a nice. I have had some great down time and I’m looking forward to this upcoming year. Some interesting things I have read in the Daily News that have captured my interests and want to bring some attention to.
First in late December as you recall local lawyer Donald Silversides has been appointed to the newly formed “Health Revisions Review Board by the Minister of Health. Looking at the website: http://www.lcs.gov.bc.ca/BRDO/boardView it states the mandate of this Review Board as: The main purpose of the HPRB is to provide a fair, impartial, accountable and transparent mechanism for the review of decisions of colleges of designated health professions regarding registration, management of complaints, and discipline.
Now looking further into Part 4.2 of the Health Professions Act I’m reading further into the role of this independent committee, here’s the website if you want to check it out. http://www.bclaws.ca/Recon/document/freeside/–%20H%20–/Health
I think this is something that is long overdue and will allow the voice of those who are having problems within the health system to have their voices heard by an independent body. I’m sure some of you know someone who has experienced some difficulty within this health system. Now you have an avenue to present your case and have it heard by an independent review committee. Now on the other hand we all know that our health system is very much underfunded and it could be argued that if we had the resources then most of the negative experiences could be avoided. Just going to the hospital is stressful enough but this Independent Committee could also make strong recommendations to the government. That if you want voters to have a good as possible experience in the health system then you need to adequately provide the resources our health professionals need to do their jobs. We’ll see how this plays out.
Our MP Nathan Cullen will be conducting an eight community tour to hear from his constituents suggestions he can bring back to Ottawa as the Federal Government looks at a new budget. Our friends at the North West Community College will be hosting this event here in Prince Rupert January 15, 2009 at 7pm. (Rumour has it that after the tour Nathan will appear on North of 60 as a Band Manager).
There are a number of concerns that I have, one in particular is the Homelessness Fund that Service Canada administers. My frustration is that it is so difficult to get money from them to deliver these programs. I know there are rules to follow but it just seems that it’s just endless, you do one thing then that’s wrong then you do another then that’s wrong. Now speaking of the wrong, don’t get me started about Health Canada, my goodness they should change their name, if they were a hockey team….. Anyway I appreciate Nathan taking this on I know there will be a good turn out and he will get the info he needs to bring back to Ottawa.
Speaking of Ottawa our Team Canada did an awesome job in winning the World Jr. Hockey Championships, again. Our boys whooped a few teams like Germany, USA and Sweden it’s quite refreshing isn’t it. I always look forward to Jr. Hockey at this time of year.
But I do need to check out the Prince Rupert Rampage our local Senior Men’s hockey club as some of you know this Saturday January 10 will be there final home game of the season as they host the Terrace River Kings. Tickets are quite reasonable and makes for a nice outing. I hope you can check it out.
The Friendship House has been nominated in the local Prince Rupert and District Chamber of Commerce 2008 Business Excellence Awards. For the first time in its history we at the Friendship House have been nominated in five of the twelve categories, the deadline is today January 9th so hopefully you can get online and cast a few votes for your friends @ “Da House”. I know what you’re thinking…..it’s just nice to be nominated
Peace and have an awesome week. I’ll see you when I see you.