Every now and then something happens here in Nova Scotia that gives me hope. The recent decision by the NS government to stop the development of this quarry was one of the most intelligent things I've seen it do since I moved back here. The quarry was one of those terrible ideas that should have been rejected immediately, but wasn't. I'm sure that the PC government was willing to allow it, but intense local opposition eventually resulted in a study of the project. The conclusion of the study was a no brainer - the quarry would be detrimental and should not proceed.
We can't be opposed to all quarries. Lets face it, we need them to build our roads - not that we are building a lot of roads here lately. Americans are building lots of them though, that is where the Digby Neck gravel would be destined for. Clayton Concrete of New Jersey planned to take 2 million tons of the Digby Neck to the US annually. You won't see them dig up their own state because they can't.
The North Mountain has a lot of basalt, and I think most people have no problem with a quarry located in an environmentally approved, unobtrusive area away from the coast. The problem is that we handle these matters the same way we did a century ago...there is no clear policy. The people of Nova Scotia should be paid an appropriate royalty for the stone when it is exported. There was no royalty for stone exported from the Digby Neck megaquarry.
My hat goes off to Andy Moir. I met him 10 years ago, a fellow who moved to Freeport because he loves the place. Andy took a large part in championing the struggle against the megaquarry along with many others. There is hope, but it takes more people like Andy to fight for their beliefs. Sadly, not a lot of this is happening. We still have herbicide spraying of the forests, clear cutting, unjust foreign land ownership, and Nova Scotia Power undermining clean and renewable power development through government sanctioned policies. The politicians here (all parties) are extremely backward when it comes to intelligent progressive policies to benefit the population. As long as this continues, Nova Scotia will remain a backwater.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Nothing to Brag About
From the Canadian Press, Nov 1, 2007:
Canada rates worst on health-care waiting times among 7 countries
The Canadian Press
WASHINGTON — Canada has the worst rating in a new study of health care in seven countries when it comes to wait times for seeing doctors and getting elective surgery.
And the Commonwealth Fund says Canadians are most likely to report going to an emergency room as an alternative to a visit to a doctor’s office or clinic.
Some 12,000 people were surveyed last spring by the Commonwealth Fund. The results have now been released in Washington.
Only 22 per cent of Canadians survey say they could get a same-day appointment when they’re sick. Thirty per cent — by far the highest among the countries — say they had to wait six days or more.
And 15 per cent reported waits of six months or more for non-emergency surgery.
Meantime, two-thirds reported having a lot of difficulty getting care at night, on weekends or holidays.
‘‘The report indicates that Canadians are saying the same thing to politicians that they’re saying to the Commonwealth Fund: access to physicians and access to medical services has to improve,’’ said Health Minister Tony Clement.
‘‘We share that concern.’’
The number of people with chronic conditions reporting a medical mistake or medication error in the past two years is 28 per cent. That was the highest among all countries surveyed except the United States, which had 32 per cent.
‘‘This bolsters my opinion that Canada does have to lay an emphasis on patient safety,’’ said Clement, who attended a session in Washington on the findings.
‘‘On the plus side, when it comes to access to care without extra payment, Canada stands out very well among the top of the nations. That’s certainly a value that Canadians treasure.’’
Twelve per cent of Canadians skipped some form of care in the past year because of cost-related problems, compared with 37 per cent in the United Sates.
Still, 12 per cent of Canadians also reported spending more than $1,000 on medical care in the last year.
Ninety-one per cent of Canadians reported having a regular doctor or place of care.
But 60 per cent said they think Canada’s system needs fundamental changes, with 12 per cent saying it should be rebuilt completely.
**********************
So why do Canadians brag about their poor health care system? Probably because its free. I can't put a price on my health. Can you?
Canada rates worst on health-care waiting times among 7 countries
The Canadian Press
WASHINGTON — Canada has the worst rating in a new study of health care in seven countries when it comes to wait times for seeing doctors and getting elective surgery.
And the Commonwealth Fund says Canadians are most likely to report going to an emergency room as an alternative to a visit to a doctor’s office or clinic.
Some 12,000 people were surveyed last spring by the Commonwealth Fund. The results have now been released in Washington.
Only 22 per cent of Canadians survey say they could get a same-day appointment when they’re sick. Thirty per cent — by far the highest among the countries — say they had to wait six days or more.
And 15 per cent reported waits of six months or more for non-emergency surgery.
Meantime, two-thirds reported having a lot of difficulty getting care at night, on weekends or holidays.
‘‘The report indicates that Canadians are saying the same thing to politicians that they’re saying to the Commonwealth Fund: access to physicians and access to medical services has to improve,’’ said Health Minister Tony Clement.
‘‘We share that concern.’’
The number of people with chronic conditions reporting a medical mistake or medication error in the past two years is 28 per cent. That was the highest among all countries surveyed except the United States, which had 32 per cent.
‘‘This bolsters my opinion that Canada does have to lay an emphasis on patient safety,’’ said Clement, who attended a session in Washington on the findings.
‘‘On the plus side, when it comes to access to care without extra payment, Canada stands out very well among the top of the nations. That’s certainly a value that Canadians treasure.’’
Twelve per cent of Canadians skipped some form of care in the past year because of cost-related problems, compared with 37 per cent in the United Sates.
Still, 12 per cent of Canadians also reported spending more than $1,000 on medical care in the last year.
Ninety-one per cent of Canadians reported having a regular doctor or place of care.
But 60 per cent said they think Canada’s system needs fundamental changes, with 12 per cent saying it should be rebuilt completely.
**********************
So why do Canadians brag about their poor health care system? Probably because its free. I can't put a price on my health. Can you?
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