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Letters  

Free bus passes for seniors

I know we need change at Penticton City Hall.

Free bus passes for youths under 24 years is fine and I can deal with that but why not free bus passes for seniors as well? They paid tax all their lives and now struggle to put food on the table, buy medicine and have a roof over their heads.

They are the forgotten pioneers who fought for this country and made Canada what it is today and we cannot offer them a free bus pass in Penticton?

Shame on those at City Hall. I, for one, cannot wait to vote.

Brian Kettle





To Mexico for health care

Re. Renee Merrifield’s column Long wait for cancer care (Castanet. March 12)

I’d like to add some colour to (Kelowna-Mission MLA Renee) Merrifield’s recent column.

In 2018, I discovered what every woman dreads—a lump. I dutifully rang my GP, and was rushed in that week for a consult. It became clear during the consult my doctor was expecting the worst and she promised me expedited scans and a consult with a specialist.

Fast forward three weeks and I was still waiting for an appointment for the promised requisitions. As anyone who has ever worried about a medical diagnosis knows, every second is agonizing during that time.

Because we are extremely analytical, my husband and I started researching our options, and trying to determine how to hasten both my diagnosis and treatment. Finally, because we could not get a straight answer about when I would actually be treated, and because our neighbour had just returned from receiving cancer treatment there, we decided to bite the bullet and fly to Mexico.

By the next week, I was in a Cancun medical centre, had received an MRI and had started cancer treatment.

Why am I telling you this? Well, I have a few points:

• There is something seriously wrong with this “first world” country when a person who has diligently paid into the healthcare system for 30-plus years needs to fly to a so-called “third world” country in order to avail of quick, professional medical care.

• As Merrifield notes, the difference of a few weeks in consultations and treatment can mean life or death to a patient.

• Thankfully, medical assistance in death (MAID) was not an option at that time, so no one offered me that very dark alternative.

I spent eight months in Cancun, receiving medical treatment that included low-dose chemotherapy, an option I was refused in Canada, as well as hyperbaric oxygen, high-dose vitamin C intravenous therapy and other treatments. I fully believe my Mexican oncologist saved my life, and to this day, he and I communicate on a regular basis.

When I receive lab results in Canada, I send them to him for a (free) second set of eyes. He celebrates in my victories, offers treatment advice when I need it and treats me more like a friend than a patient.

Merrifield seems to imply the problems with our health care system have been caused solely by our current NDP government. I’d like to remind her that, seven years ago, the B.C. Liberals (now BC United), were in power and it was (largely) their system that caused me, and many other patients at that time, to flee to other countries for help due to long medical wait times and a lack of treatment options. (The NDP formed government in June 2017.)

I am incredibly thankful I had a supportive family that loaned me the money for international treatment, but at the same time realize how rare that opportunity was.

The current health care budget in B.C. is $33 billion per year – more than $6,000 per person, and yet, when we actually need our healthcare system, it fails so many of us.

It angers me to know many people in my situation are suffering – and dying – because of bureaucratic inefficiencies, in a system that still refuses to hire back healthcare workers we know we desperately need.

Alexandra Wright

(Editor’s note: For full disclosure, writer is the B.C. Conservative candidate in Kelowna-Mission but given her letter just details her personal health issues, experience with, and view of, the health system as a patient, we are publishing it as it is felt it helps further public discourse.)



Firing 'cowardly, asinine'

Re. Rosemary Thompson’s firing from the OSO

I lived in Kelowna for 2014 to 2023, played in the Kelowna Concert Band (KCB) from 2014 to 2018 and attended some Okanagan Symphony Orchestra (OSO) performances.

In 2017, while playing in the KCB (trumpet, then horn), I was strongly encouraged to consider starting another band as there is plenty of room for more than one. In my search for a conductor, I came across one who was more than qualified and was about to embark on this journey, making a pitch to those interested in a kind of repertoire that would really focus on what the listener wants to hear – a vision of sorts.

It could challenge the OSO because of the kind of music chosen (different) and the preliminary set list was applauded by many as brilliant. It would be voluntary and would not meet the pro standards of the OSO, but excellent regardless.

I took the exciting and upbeat project to the preparation stage—music selections, a conductor, a place to practice, first concert venue etc. When this leaked out and Kelowna Concert Band (officials) heard of it, I was quickly pulled aside, an emergency meeting held without me and decisions were announced. I was ridiculed with contempt and vitriol. (I was threatened with expulsion) for considering such a thing.

I was crushed. In March, false allegations and hatred culminated in an expulsion by their lawyers, yet I did nothing wrong. At least one board member quit in protest.

After Covid, I played in the fantastic Penticton Band and have since moved to Winnipeg, where that “toxic” culture does not exist. There must be at least 15 bands to play in here and the end result is wonderful.

The ruthless way the OSO attacked and fired (former conductor) Rosemary Thompson, hiding behind a veil of legalism, is a cowardly, asinine approach to resolving problems.

My advice to Rosemary is to fight, and to find better places to use your skills.

Kelowna is a rich, ego-centric city whose time has come with the detrimental effects of this culture. Better leave when possible.

David Forrester, Winnipeg





Young Poilievre supporter

Re. Poilievre one on one (Castanet, March 8)

The sentiment “I know it’s a miserable time in Canada” resonates with many Canadians in the current climate.

While acknowledging our privileged position compared to Ukraine and Gaza, it is imperative to question whether this privilege obligates us to minimize the challenges afflicting our nation. The unprecedented rise in substance abuse and overdoses, coupled with soaring property values and the inflation of essential goods, has engendered a pervasive sense of despair among the populace.

(Conservative Leader) Pierre Poilievre is not disparaging our country, rather, he is highlighting the palpable deficiencies that the Liberal-NDP “coalition” has allowed to persist, failing to implement substantive measures to mitigate these issues and steer us towards a more hopeful future.

As a young Canadian who harboured aspirations of homeownership and family life, I witness the gradual erosion of this dream daily. While statistical rankings may place us favourably, the lived experience in Canada reveals the glaring societal issues.

Despite ample opportunity, the Liberals and NDP have not effected the necessary changes for improvement.

Poilievre’s campaign, predicated on “common sense,” advocates a return to foundational principles and stringent control of government expenditure.

This message appears to resonate profoundly with the younger demographic.

Dylan Monteith, Lake Country



Firefighting at night

I honestly don’t understand how it took so long for the experts to realize (forrest) fires need to be fought at night.

It has been a no brainer, that fires slow down through the calm, cooler temps of the night. I never understood why fire fighters showed up late morning to assess the situation and attempt to fight fires in late afternoon, when the temps are at their highest and the winds pick up.

It’s only common sense more progress will be made fighting a fire while it’s at its calmest .

Cindy Nixdorf



Rent 'reset' will hurt

While I’m happy business has expanded in Penticton, I am sad to hear rents will be reset at “market value".

That will result in some tenants unable to pay “market value” and we (will) have more homeless on our streets.

Seems so sad to me.

Lennie McDonald



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