Letters to the Sun: Tuesday, April 16, 2024

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Re: Royal BC Museum acquires Terry Fox memorabilia collection

I was excited to learn that the Terry Fox Foundation has reached an agreement with the Royal British Columbia Museum to take over the collection of Terry Fox memorabilia. This is very important to protect and preserve these iconic items associated with the Marathon of Hope of our national hero.

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When Terry began his marathon, he asked Canadians to donate $1 each, with the expectation of raising $24 million, which was achieved. Of course, now the total exceeds $850 million.

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There is still the question of where to house the collection. I have a modest proposal: a separate museum dedicated entirely to Terry, his life and his legacy, including the remarkable fact that today a bone cancer diagnosis does not mean amputation or death, thanks to research funded by Terry’s efforts .

Terry is vying for representation on the five dollar bill. I propose that when this bill with his image is printed, every Canadian donates a $5 bill to Terry’s museum, which should add up to about $200 million to build. We owe it to Terry.

Dale Darychuk, Kelowna

The health minister ignores the main reason why dentists do not register with the CDCP

Re: Health Minister compares dentists’ concerns about national program to Medicare rollout

Health Minister Mark Holland wants to reassure dentists who are reluctant to sign up for the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP). His answer is to make registration easier. This ignores the main reason why dentists do not enroll in the program as it exists now. The CDCP requires a lot of administration for both Health Canada/Sun Life and dental offices. He calls for dentists to provide treatments for less than the actual cost.

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The BC Dental Association Fee Guide is produced each year based on a careful analysis of the cost of performing each procedure in the dental office. We are not told where the CDCP fee schedule figures come from.

The CDCP is modeled after the old NIHB (Uninsured Health Benefits) plan, which is generally considered one of the worst plans ever used in Canada. The dentists attempted to inform Health Canada and advocated for a plan that will help Canadians get the dental care they deserve.

I ask that Minister Holland not raise the issue while the dentists negotiate for more money. We advocate a plan that is not doomed to failure.

Eha Onno, dentist for 26 years, Pender Island

Re: BC’s grandmother introduces herself to millions of fans on TikTok and Instagram

It was so refreshing to read the wonderful article about Shirley Simson and her grandchildren in The Vancouver Sun. How nice to show an older person learning new skills and having fun with her family members. We really need to read more of these stories.

Our Good News Seniors Group at St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church congratulates you for bringing us good news.

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Kathy Murphy, Vancouver

Re: BC finance minister makes light of credit rating downgrade

Here we go: taxes, government overspending, deficits and irresponsible fiscal management by the British Columbia NDP, resulting in a total of three downgrades in the last three years of the NDP government.

I thought the NDP got off to a somewhat promising start in British Columbia until they started going down the usual NDP rabbit hole of tax and spending policies. Mr. Eby and Ms. Conroy, you need to stop overspending and get your fiscal house in order.

Hans Verbeek, Qualicum Beach

Illicit drugs should be banned in hospitals

Re: Drug and gun safes: Nurses fed up with drug use in British Columbia hospitals

How absurd. Starting tomorrow, the provincial government should ban the possession of illicit drugs and weapons in all provincial medical facilities.

For the government to claim that allowing medications in hospitals is part and parcel of decriminalization ignores the larger repercussions of endangering the health and safety of tens of thousands of healthcare workers and visitors. After all, smoking (which is legal) is banned in hospitals, so why not illegal drugs?

There is no need for Health Minister Adrian Dix to form a commission to “clarify and consolidate policies”. He just do the right thing and withdraw the edict from him.

David Petitpierre, West Vancouver

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