Letters to The Province, Mar. 1, 2022: Dismissed store manager ’empathetic, fair with everyone’

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Re: Vancouver store manager who helped feed homeless sues employer for wrongful dismissal

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Of all the managers that I’ve worked under, I can say with certainty that Justin Grant was one of the few managers who was empathic, fair with everyone but assertive when he had to be. He valued people as the most important asset in any business or industry.

I’ve even learned from him to be more understanding to the many customers with challenging behaviors who came through my checkstand. And as a person with a developmental disability, I couldn’t have asked for a more patient and understanding manager in my workplace.

I really hope that he will get the financial settlement he deserves and the chance to regain his good name, reputation and dignity because good managers who care about others and work hard to make a difference are often as hard to find as hardworking loyal employees who see beyond a paycheque.

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Leslie Benisz, Vancouver

NDP minister challenges Liberal MLA’s oped

Re: ‘Peter Milobar: Big spending on small achievements’

To repair the fragmented system of mental health and substance use care left behind by the BC Liberals, our government has made historic investments over the past four years. As of Budget 2022, we are spending $2.8 billion annually to transform mental health and substance use services in British Columbia and build a continuum of care.

What MLA Milobar wrote in his oped is simply not true. We are tackling the toxic drug crisis from every angle, including treatment and recovery, and leading the country on prescribed safe supply and decriminalization of people who use drugs. Yet BC is facing a rising tide of need, and we will continue to do more.

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The $8-million funding for my ministry referenced by MLA Milobar is, in fact, for services for people. Most of it supports the Community Innovation Fund, which invests in existing community-based initiatives like 36 Community Action Teams that combat the toxic drug crisis in every corner of the province. The remainder of the $8 million supports the Stop the Stigma campaign, with partners like the BC Lions and the Canucks, because we know shame about addiction has deadly consequences. There is much more to do, and changes cannot happen fast enough, which is why I urge MLA Milobar to stand with us and support these measures.

Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions