Re: Why increasing Canada’s productivity matters; National conversation to start at local summit, Opinion, Oct. 10
As Carolyn Rogers, senior deputy governor of the Bank of Canada, said, it’s time to break the glass.
We can only hope that many corporate and union executives are paying attention to Rogers and Martha Hall Findlay. Maybe these executives will jointly agree to adopt a more collaborative “common goal” oriented approach to solving labour issues, rather than the “adversarial, threat to services” approach currently in the news. This latter approach either adverselyaffects Canadian productivity or requires intervention (a.k.a. arbitration) by a third party such as the federal government.
Industry leaders on both sides of the negotiating table, as well as the public at large, could benefit from a common objective approach involving an employee association rather than a union to negotiate suitable arrangements, without the threat of a strike or lockout.
And guess what? Productivity gains often come from automating certain jobs. These jobs can then be replaced by people in jobs that require training. Win-win for the economy and the workforce.
Don Smillie, Calgary
Even private health care is flawed
Re: “I could not live my life, Oct. 16
Thanks for the very informative article about the deficits in our health-care system.
However, the article failed to emphasize another crucial failure. Not only was AHS unable to offer hip replacement to Colleen Henning for at least four years, forcing her to spend her retirement savings to have it done privately, but because of a bizarre policy by the Canada Health Act, she was forced to have the surgery outside her home province.
The fact that she could not have the necessary surgery done at a private clinic in Calgary not only increased her expense and discomfort, but also added to the risk of medical complications.
As a physician who has been practising for almost 30 years, the deterioration I have witnessed in Canada’s health-care system is totally demoralizing.
Suzanne Fraser, Calgary
Don’t punish seniors for their hard work
Thanks to Chris Nelson for trying to make me feel like a heel for having worked hard all my life. That paid-off mortgage came from the sweat of my brows and the callouses on my hands.
Rather than putting the blame squarely on the shoulders of our government, where it belongs, you found it convenient to lay it at the feet of today’s pensioners. The generation that worked hard to finally enjoy the fruits of their labour is, according to you, a selfish bunch who needs to share their gains.
Do you also know that some of that generation fought in conflicts so you can enjoy your freedom?
Teach that new generation how to be frugal and inventive, as well as respectful.
Werner Pointmeier, Calgary
MLA’s reinstatement a black eye
I think there was a time when a premier and their party were expected to govern with honour, decency, dignity and truthfulness. A time when the pursuit of power did not come at the expense of some of the most vulnerable in our society, where the ends did not justify every despicable means.
The reinstatement of Jennifer Johnson shows how morally bankrupt Premier Danielle Smith and the rest of her Black Heart Gang Party have become.
Janice Reynolds, Calgary