There is a lot going on right now in the news in Edmonton. Here is a brief
summary of some current issues, along with your chance to speak your mind about these situations.
Glen Sather Leaves the Oilers
Glen Sather, long time president of the Oilers, stepped down this week -- or, rather,
he finally wrangled his way out. With the Oilers being trapped in mediocre
game performances for several years now, Sather's departure is not being greeting with
surprise.
Health Care Worker Strike
Health care workers striked last week causing surgeries to be cancelled, patients
sent home, and the threat of emergency rooms shutting down. Due to shortages of funds
and staffing, cancelled surgeries or huge waiting lists for elective procedures -- and not so elective
prcedures like MRIs -- is not really news these days. Of course, a strike doesn't help matters, not to mention
that it is illegal because these positions are considered essential services.
Bill 11
Well, it passed! Was there ever any doubt? After the debate was arbitrarily cut off
by the Tories, and for sure it could have gone on forever, we now have the green light for
the proliferation of private health care clinics. It is way too soon
to tell what this will mean for our overall health care system, but because the powers-that-be in Ottawa
did not issue a "cease-and-desist," Bill 11 is not illegal and therefore might set a dangerous
precedent for other provinces to follow suit.
Tag A Bag
It has been in the news for some time now -- homeowners and dwellers would be charged
a fee per bag of garbage the city takes away. But is it fair? Larger families
would, of course, have more garbage, while singles much less. But City Council seems to like the idea, and so do
some Edmontonians (probably those with small families!). On the other hand,
is a flat fee fair, when there are those who obviously have lots of garbage removed,
while others only have a bag or two at the most?
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