“Montreal pediatric hospitals have the good sense to make a plea to the public to avoid their ERs due to a surge in patients.”
As a former emergency-room nurse from an adult hospital who worked in pediatrics for 11 years, I find it fascinating that both Montreal pediatric hospitals have the good sense to make a plea to the public to avoid their ERs due to a surge in patients and overcrowding, but we almost never hear about adult ERs making the same plea with even worse overcrowding.
This begs the question: Why the difference in standards? Why is it acceptable for adult ERs to operate on a frequent basis at over 150 per cent but it’s not OK in pediatrics?
Nathan Friedland, Roxboro
EMSB election results were too lopsided
The opposition in any democratic institution is essential for promoting accountability and ensuring a balanced representation of different perspectives.
Having an opposition improves the effectiveness of the decision-making process. This is particularly important in the public school system, as it directly affects our children’s futures.
The recent English Montreal School Board election featured two competing teams, leading to a significant development.
As a great-grandfather of a child attending a fine EMSB school, I am concerned about the impact of the election results. The lack of a diverse outcome may well limit spirited discussions on student issues.
Chris Eustace, Montreal
Many seniors’ livelihoods rely on Canada Post
While I certainly respect the right to strike, and am glad to hear that postal workers have agreed to continue to deliver Canadian pension payments, there are many seniors, myself included, who rely on Canada Post to deliver pension cheques from countries abroad that do not offer the option of direct bank deposit.
The fear of not receiving these payments — on which we rely for our subsistence — their delay or even loss is very real indeed.
I sincerely hope that all interested parties — including Canada Post, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers and the newly appointed federal government mediator — will consider the plight of seniors who are among the most vulnerable and broker an agreement as soon as possible.
Cecilia Lopes, Ste-Geneviève
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