Brad Mathews (Orillia,Ontario), 1 day ago

I'm appalled at the comment made by councillor Fogarty, "This puts the power back in council's hands," Fogarty said, noting council can now bargain with developers to see what they can offer the city for an exception". What I read here is, "Here is the law, but, if you give us something in one way or another we will let you do what you want". Is this the way council wants to do business? Is this the way the taxpayers want council to do business? If a developer wants to "give something" to the city it will run roughshod over the wishs of taxpayers. We must stop this wholesale selloff of the town by councillors who seem to think it's theirs to do with how they please. Please remember this in November.

Robert Fitches (Orillia,ON), 9 days ago

What a Gift! (Bob Fitches, 1140 Birchcliffe Cres., Orillia, ON)
The recent patriotic euphoria that has swept across Canada – from Port Hardy to St. John’s to Resolute – is likely the greatest gift that Canada has ever received. It is, I believe, of some significance that this wonderful gift was given to all Canadians by Canadians; our Canadian Olympic Athletes.
We all need to stop for a moment and consider what we now have. We need to determine how we can foster and nourish this new-found Canadian identity so that it does not slip through our fingers like grains of sand. There will no doubt be days ahead that will tempt us to revert to our old ways and old feelings. There will no doubt be situations that try this new-found strength and brand new resolve; situations that threaten to drag us back down to where we once were.
This exciting Canadian identity has been bubbling just below the surface for decades. We knew we were different. We knew we were unique. We knew we were Canadian, but we didn’t really know who or what we were. Today is different. Today we can thank those who worked so hard creating the Olympic experience in Vancouver. Even more importantly, we can thank those who threw their hearts and souls into skiing, skating, sliding and snowboarding in the name of our wonderful country.
During the past several days, various individuals have been talking about the need for continued financial support of our various athletic programs. Some have suggested that government needs to maintain or increase the financial support. Still others have suggested that Corporate Canada needs to step up to the plate. No matter who will ultimately be responsible for the significant dollars needed to support our athletes, it is undeniable that such support is necessary. It is, I believe, the least we can do for the youth of today, and perhaps more importantly, tomorrow.
Because Canada’s athletes gave this gift to us – each of us – it ought to be our privilege – each of us – to support our athletic programs. If we leave it to our governments to support these young men and women in their quest for athletic excellence, the support can too easily become a target for government program cuts when times are not so good. If Corporate Canada is relied upon for such support, those dollars too can become the target for corporate down-sizing or budget cuts in times of economic difficulties.
We recently witnessed the enormous power that grass roots efforts can have in the run-up to the presidential election in the United States. It is my view that as individual Canadians, we can repay our young athletes for the priceless gift they have given to us by individually supporting meaningful athletic programs - personally. If even 2/3 of all Canadian gave $10 to our athletic programs each year, that would result in our athletes having access to over $200,000,000 annually. Of that $200M, a huge percentage would actually make it to the athletic programs, since there would be little bureaucratic overhead to bleed off dollars to pay civil servants to oversee the program (as is the case in far too many government initiatives).
I can say without reservation that I received much more than $10 worth of enjoyment, excitement and entertainment by watching our young men and women do what they do best. If someone will tell me where to send my $10, I’ll do it today!

Brad Mathews (Orillia,Ontario), 20 days ago

"It's sad that it's a viable business that has been going for 70 years and no one is coming in to pick it up, but it's tough to sell a business in the retail atmosphere in downtown Orillia without the support we need from the city," A quote in the P&T given by a business owner in town regarding Varley's closing. I'm wondering what more the city can do to increase business in town. Do we need more parking??? Sure we do. Unfortunately the city thinks it's parking audit is accurate. This is so far from the truth it's a joke. The parking audit was done in the summer of the worst weather in years in a time of economic hardship not seen in decades. What do we have to attract people? In truth, not too much. We are close to Muskoka, but that gets us nothing. We do have a beautiful city, that's for sure, but, we need something. Wasaga has a beach. Orillia has,,,,,, periodic events that certainly help but we need something to draw tourists ALL summer. Every day, not just weekends. I know many will complain that we don't need tourists to survive, but, you will be mistaken. Too much industry is gone, never to return. We are too far off the beaten path to expect industrial growth. Another long term oil crisis will cause the price of diesel to skyrocket and what industry we have left will need to go closer to their market. Yes, we need tourism. Yes, tourists put a , uh, strain on the local people, but, it brings in dollars which store owners need to stay open. Again I ask,,, what can we do to keep downtown viable?

Edward Sawdon (St. John's,NL), 22 days ago

PHARMACARE UPDATE - SWEDEN

Sweden is a Nordic country on the Scanadavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Neighbouring countries, include Norway (West); Finland (Northeast) and Denmark (South).

Like Australia, Belgium, Great Britain, Ireland, & New Zealand, Sweden has a Public National Pharmacare Program for all its residents!
Approximately, 9.2 million Swedes have access to Public Drug Coverge through the Swedish Government's Dental and Pharmaceutical Benefits Agency or TLV (Tandvards-och Lakemedelsformsansverket).

TVL follows three Prinicples:

- decide on whether a pharmaceutical product or dental care procedure shall be subsidized or not

- consider cost effectiveness i.e. whether or not the cost of treatment is reasonable in relation to the good it does

- providing more assistance to those people who have the greatest needs.

According to Swedish Government Health Official, Anne Nilsson (Deputy Director, Health Care Division, Ministry of Health & Social Affairs), Swedish citizens "are entitled to a safety net that limits the costs of medical products for the individual. The high cost thresholds also extends to people from other Nordic countries and persons eligible for health care benefits in Sweden according to the EU Council's ordinance (EEG) 1408/71"

Like other jurisdictions, some prescription drugs are covered privately by health consumers themselves. The most an individual Swede or Swedish Family pays in annual "co-payments" is SEK 1800 Krona. On average, Swedish Health Consumers pay 21% of their annual medication costs.

TVL's Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme is designed in such a way that the more Swedes pay for their meds the more they receive in drug coverage. For example, Swedes who's annual drug costs are less than SEK 900 ($135 CAD), receive no assistance whatsoever. Those Swedes who annual Drug Costs are between SEK 900 and SEK 1700 ($255 CAD), receive 50% coverage. Those Swedes who spend between SEK 1700 and SEK 3300 ($495 CAD), receive 75% coverage. Those Swedes who spend between SEK 3300 and SEK 4300 ($645 CAD) receive 90% coverage. And, those Swedes who spend over SEK 4300 towards their annual medication costs, receive full 100% coverage.

In Sweden, TVL has made "Generic Substitution" mandatory. For example, mental health consumers who receive a anti-depressant prescription of Cipramel from their Psychiatrist or Physician have to go on the less-expensive generic Citalopram. And, for those mental health consumers who are prescribed Zoloft have to go on the less costlier Sertraline. In general trems, this rule applys to Physically Health Related Medication too! Those Swedes who require Losec for Ulcers or GERD, have to go on the generic Omeprazole.

However, Swedish Health Consumers have the right to decline a generic product provided they are willing to make the difference between the generic drug and the more expensive Brand name product.

According to the Swedish Government, "Generic Substitution" has enabled Sweden to save $700 million Euro dollars in their Nationwide Drug Plan.

Sweden's TVL Program is quite similiar to New Zealand's PHARMAC - Sweden has a Patient "User Council," whereas, New Zealand has a Consumer Advisory Committee.

Every foreign country, I have researched so far, has a PUBLIC NATIONAL PHARMACARE PROGRAM for all their citizens! Whereas, here in Canada, we Canadian Health Consumers have 14 Federal, Provincial and Territorial Government Drug Plans. In his recent reponse to my latest Pharmacare Update, Federal Finance Minister James Flaherty states:

"Under the Canada Health Act, all necessary drug therapy administered within a Canadian hospital setting is insured and publicly funded. Outside of the hospital setting, provincial and territorial governments are responsible for the administration of their own publicly funded prescription drug benefit programs. Most Canadians have access to insurance coverage for prescription medicines through public and/or private insurance plans. The federal, provincial and territorial governments offer varying levels of coverage, with different eligibility requirements, premiums and deductibles. The publicly-funded programs generally provide insurance coverage for those most in need, based on age, income, and medical condition."

Minister Flaherty, whatever happened to the National Pharmaceutical Strategy and the Provincial & Territorial Health Ministers 2006 recommendation for a National Pharmacare Program?

Edward Sawdon
5A Patrick Street
St. John's, NL
A1E 2S5
Tel: 709 726-6806
Email: Sawdon_edward@yahoo.com

John Cropper (Orillia,Ontario), 1 month ago

The ongoing controversy regarding a Canadian premier traveling to the United States for medical treatment, brings to mind the recent issue, here in Orillia, where a cab driver who received head injuries in an altercation outside a downtown bar on West Street was rushed to a hospital in Buffalo, New York within 48 hours of the incident for treatment. This was not a personal decision by the patient to have to travel outside of Canada but a decision made by a Canadian medical professional. If our own doctors feel we are not capable of giving adequate treatment for certain medical conditions here in Canada, then how can we criticize one of our premiers for making his own personal decision to go elsewhere for treatment.

John Cropper (Orillia,Ontario), 1 month ago

Thank you for responding to my post Brad. You are correct,"pedestrians have the right of way at controlled intersections where there
are specifically marked pedestrian crossings", but pedestrians are also responsible for ensuring it is "safe" to cross the road before
stepping off the curb. The driver of the vehicle is definately at fault for not stopping on a red light, but in lawsuit for compensation for injuries sustained by the pedestrian, a good lawyer for the motorist would argue that the pedestrian is "partly" at fault for stepping in front of a moving vehicle with the "assumption" it is going to stop. You are also correct regarding downtown Mississaga Street, particularly the junction of Mississaga Street and West Street. Also the controlled pedestrian crossing on West Street by O.D.C.V.I. is an accident waiting to happen if the school kids are not made aware of the consequences of walking in front of an approaching vehicle where the light has turned red for traffic to stop and the pedestrian signal gives right of way to cross the street.

Brad Mathews (Orillia,Ontario), 1 month ago

All due respect to Mr. Cropper regarding pedestrians and vehicles, his comment about courts finding pedestrians equally guilty is incorrect. As the Highway Traffic act stipulates that "pedestrians have the right of way at controlled intersections where there are specifically marked pedestrian crossings" the vehicle will be found to be in the wrong 100 percent of the time. Another quote from the HTO,,, "having your turn signal on does not negate the pedestrians right of way". I certainly do agree wholeheartedly with Mr. Cropper that pedestrians, while in the right, do need to be more aware of vehicles in the area. I too, have noticed several close calls in Orillia, most particularly, downtown on Mississauga street with people darting out from between parked cars to jaywalk and these scofflaws expect cars to stop for them. Dangerous game at best.

John Cropper (Orillia,ON), 1 month ago

This past month Toronto has had more than it's fair share of motorist/pedestrian accidents, some of them fatal. Here in Orillia I am appalled at the number of pedestrians, some pushing strollers with a child in, who walk in front of a moving vehicle when the light turns green for them to proceed. Granted, the driver of the vehicle should stop, but not all drivers pay full attention to their driving or are not able to stop due to winter road conditions. The pedestrian and/or the child in the sroller will always emerge from this situation worse off physically than the motorist. Do pededtrians not realize that they have to pay as much attention to motorists as motorists do to pedestrians. Green for pedestrians does not mean "Go". "It means "Go" if it safe to do so. In a courtroom the pedestrian would be found just as much at fault, if not more, than the motorist. Please be careful when crossing on a green pedestrian light. The motorist will also suffer here, but more mentally. The pedestrian or child may suffer physically for the rest of their life..... if they survive the impact.

Robert Rankin (Washago,ON), 1 month ago

John Bliss writes that: "Another myth keeps rising here even though the electorate has firmly and clearly slapped it down and demolished it though a plebiscite. Proportional representation keeps rising from the scrap heap of failed, idiotic ideas."

I have lived in Sweden for over two years, and I can tell you that their proportional representation system, like most of the world, is anything but "failed" or "idiotic". Rather, it fluidly responses to changes in the opinions of the electorate, unlike our system where new ideas only enter Parliament by the grace of our outdated leaders, or by generational attrition. We are falling behind.

Thank you,
Rob Rankin

Brad Mathews (Orillia,Ontario), 1 month ago

We, in Orillia, are more fortunate then other Simcoe communities. We will still be serviced by Ontario Northland. It is a little more expensive, approx. 5 dollars more for round trip, but still these folks can get back and forth. I recall living in Wasaga Beach many years ago and taking the P.M.C.L. down to the city or even just to Barrie on hundreds of occasions. I wonder if P.M.C.L. would be willing to pick up the slack here with a reasonable subsidy by the Ontario Government. How about it Garfield? Wanna jump in here? Let's hope something will be worked out. Of course the reality is Greyhound was the reason P.M.C.L. lost the routes in the first place. The other news thats not so bad is Greyhound will continue to service as far as Barrie. It's a pain to drive to Barrie to pick up a traveller that doesn't want to use O.N. but better then driving to the city.