Skip to main content

“I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind.” ~~ John G. Diefenbaker

Is it a Health Professions Act Steering Committee, or is the Health Professions Act Committee Being Steered?


The Denturist Association of BC (DABC) was initially encouraged by the government’s soliciting submissions in response to the Harry Cayton Report.

The DABC was pleased that an all-party steering committee was established to review and seek input into new regulations for health professionals (including Denturists) under the Health Professions Act. However, if the steering committee was designed to ensure openness and transparency of the process - it has been a failure.



Vancouver Island Denturist Allan Boos said, “On the face of it, the three members seem to be logical choices. But why only three MLAs? And if this process is going to result in new legislation why is the Legislatures Health Care Committee being left out of the process?”

“The steering committee appears to be an aberration, not of the legislature but a Ministry of Health concoction. MLAs are elected members not employees or pawns of the Ministry of Health. MLAs have an oversight duty. And, Mr. Dix has another special role as a member of the executive branch of government.”

The steering committee is made up of the Minister of Health, Adrian Dix, Norm Letnick Liberal Health Critic and Sonia Furstenau BC Green Health Critic. The DABC has reached out to the members of this steering committee with little success.

Adrian Dix has been unwilling to meet with the DABC -- the Green Party has simply not responded to request to meet -- and the BC Liberal Parties Norm Letnick when asked to meet responded, “Thanks for writing. Since my brother is a dentist, I removed myself from any discussion or decisions regarding anything to do with teeth.”


The Denturists Association and all British Columbians should be questioning this response given that the entire process started as an Inquiry into the performance of the College of Dental Surgeons of British Columbia and the Health Professions Act.

Allan Boos reflected, “How can one member recuse himself from any discussions regarding teeth when it is a major part of the three-person committees work ... especially when he is in effect the only member of the opposition?

His views should reflect the people that did not vote NDP or Green and he should be the one ensuring that seniors voices are heard. The remaining members are in a coalition designed to hold the government together".

To be fair the Denturist Association of BC does acknowledge that the BC Liberal Party has been open to meet and has shown the most interest at the level of the legislature. However, it has also been clear that very few MLAs from any party are aware of the Harry Cayton report, its findings or the existence of the work of this steering committee.

In closing Allan Boos stated, “The Denturist Association is not a political organization and we have been trying to educate MLAs on the facts related to seniors, our members and the regulations currently being discussed. 

This steering committee appears to be an example of the tail wagging the dog and it is time the legislature took up this issue.”


ALSO SEE ... BC Seniors Hurt Most by Ministry of Health Red Tape

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

FORSETH: Without a strong local presence, there is NO reason for anyone to tune in to local(?) radio

LOCAL HOMETOWN RADIO IS DYING … and without serious measures put in place, it will likely never see the light of day again. For well over four decades, the Canadian Radio and Television Commission (CRTC) has presided over its’ demise, and for that I say, “Shame”. Without out a word to say enough was enough, the CRTC has allowed corporate Canada to buy up one radio station after the other, and then allowed them to slash staff to the point where some so-called local radio stations do nothing more than air programming that originates from communities well outside the region in which they are located. Case in point?   On CHNL* 610 in Kamloops, the morning show hosted by Vinnie and Randi, DOES NOT originate from Kamloops -- it doesn’t even originate here in BC. It’s a program that Stingray airs across multiple radio stations in Western Canada. It doesn’t end there. Not only are Vinnie and Rando doing mornings on CHNL, but they also show up on sister station Country 103 … and of course o...
5 comments
Read more

Conservative Economic Team Responds to Urgent Industry Concerns

 " For far too long, the BC NDP has ignored the economic challenges facing British Columbians. Manufacturing jobs are vanishing, forestry is in decline, and private sector employment growth has stagnated. Meanwhile, affordability has worsened for both families and businesses. British Columbians deserve better, and we’re here to deliver real solutions to rebuild our economy and create jobs that support everyday working people and their families ." – Gavin Dew, MLA and Shadow Minister for Jobs, Economy, Development, and Innovation.   December 3, 2024, Vancouver, BC – The Conservative economic team met today with business leaders and stakeholders to tackle critical issues impacting British Columbia’s economy. Attended by 9 critics from the Conservative Caucus, this meeting was convened by MLA Gavin Dew – Shadow Minister for Jobs, Economic Development, and Innovation - as a direct response to an October 30th open letter from seven of the province’s largest industry associations. ...
Post a Comment
Read more

WARD STAMER -- We need certainly in our markets, and certainly in our fibre supply, before we no longer have a forest industry in this province

Image Government of BC I think we all realize that the threat of Trump’s 25% tariff is like other provocative statements he’s made in the past. That said, we should have reason to be concerned. Tariffs don’t benefit anyone. A tariff of that magnitude – included on our own softwood lumber exports, will make things more expensive for Americans, and cause friction in the supply chain. If imposed, a twenty-five percent tariff will be equally detrimental to the citizens and economy of the United States, as well as the people of BC. There are two things, however, of equal concern to the threat of punitive tariffs by incoming U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. One is our antiquated stumpage fees. It is a legacy from decades ago, and one incapable of responding to changing market conditions. We need to revamp our stumpage system to better reflect market conditions, and our economic costs. Instead, a value-added tax system will be instantly responsive to current market conditions and will encou...
Post a Comment
Read more

Labels

Show more