Is Health Care An Expendable Item?

Following the recent budget cuts announced by the Vancouver Island Health Authority to tackle a $45-million budget shortfall, one might ask, "Is Health Care An Expandable Item", not unlike chessboard pieces?

Inspite of the fact that VIHA received an extra $95 million in provincial funding toward its $1.7 billion 2009/2010 budget, it still wasn’t enough to prevent seniors facility closures, to reduce long elective surgery wait lists, or to ensure an adequate number of beds for the mentally ill.

With more than half of the provincial government budget devoted to health care spending, there will be increasingly difficult choices to make in the future about how to balance the budget and how to meet the ever-increasing health care demands of the population.

While VIHA health executives indicate that balanced budgets will be a challenge over the next three years, in light of an anticipated 23 per cent increase in health care expenditures, they know that a higher demand for services from an increasingly aging population is outstripping their ability to meet the needs and expectations of the public.

James Bay, Victoria’s oldest neighborhood and one with the largest proportion of seniors population, is certainly not immune to the negative impact of the health care budget cuts.

It was announced that a $127,000 VIHA funding cut to the James Bay Community Project’s Primary Health Care Centre, will result in the elimination of one nursing position, leaving the facility with no nurses to provide care to approximately 2,650 individuals, of whom 650 are over the age of 75. 

Over the past few years, the clinic has faced significant funding cuts while facing increasingly complex case loads with the help of nurse practitioners. Last year however, in response to budget cuts, the Michigan Street Clinic had to eliminate these positions. Now, with the latest round of cruel cuts, many are wondering whether there are sufficient resources to sustain the operations of this much-needed facility in the community.

The idea behind the James Bay Community Project Clinic’s innovative non-profit model has been to integrate nurses, family physicians and other practitioners into a multidisciplinary team to manage chronic health conditions more prevalent among aging patients not to mention undertaking routine tasks such as patient charting and nutritional counselling as well as prescribing medications and ordering lab or diagnostic tests. In this model, the Ministry of health pays the clinic a lump sum fee per patient, rather than paying the physicians a fee for service, and the clinic has also received some additional funding to hire nurses over the past seven years. Not only was this model designed to improve patient health outcomes, but also to reduce pressures on the health-care system, resulting in less need for expensive hospital care.

On the one hand, we are told that as a society we face unprecedented challenges in providing quality health care in the face of soaring costs for highly-sophisticated medical equipment and testing procedures, skyrocketing health care salaries, not to mention providing multi-million subsidies for costly pharmaceutical products. On the other hand, we are told that it is our growing frail and elderly population over the age of 85 that has 10 times the health-care needs of a 40-year-old and consumes $20,000 in health-care resources annually.

The measure of progress in a society, it is said, can be judged on how we care for our most vulnerable members, be they young, be they elderly, or be they unable to care for themselves. It is through engagement of all citizens, in the concern, commitment, and care of one another as well as the health and the well-being of the community, that solutions will be found and new ways will be found forward.

Other News on This Topic:

MDs set the record straight on health-care cuts - Times Colonist, October 23, 2009

Drama on the Docks

Image: Seized vessel, the "Ocean Lady", docked at Ogden Point Terminal, in Victoria, British Columbia

In what must have seemed like a high-seas drama late yesterday afternoon, a rusting tanker carrying 76 males, (possibly irregular migrants) including a crew, was intercepted by Canadian naval frigate (HMCS Regina) and several RCMP security vessels off the west coast of Vancouver Island (in the Strait of Juan De Fuca between Port Renfrew and Victoria).

Upon reaching the shore, at Ogden Point Terminal in Victoria, BC, Canadian Coast Guard officials encircled the vessel with a containment boom (see photo insert above), while Canadian Border Services Agency personnel boarded the "Ocean Lady" and removed the passengers to a secure facility.

On Sunday, all those held in custody overnight were then transported by ferry, under tight security, to Vancouver, where they are being processed under Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

To date, Canadian security and immigration officials have not released any information as to the origin of the vessel or its passengers, although they have not ruled out the possibility that this may be a case of human smuggling.

A Marvellous Money Maven Meet-Up

Money Maven, Gail Vaz-Oxlade, host of the popular TV program, "Til Debt Do Us Part",  will be paying a visit to Victoria’s oldest neighborhood:

Saturday, October 3, 2009 – 10:00 am-4pm, Hotel Grand Pacific, 463 Belleville Street in Victoria, BC – "Taking Control of Your Money & Your Life Workshop" — $189.00 (includes workbook & lunch)

Participants in the workshop are encouraged to bring with them the last three to six months’ worth of credit card bills, bank statements, and any other outstanding bills, loans or debts they may have incurred. This is a no-nonsense workshop designed to help everyone figure out their financial lives, and how to make a plan to get out of debt and remain debt free for the remainder of their lives.

Have you ever asked yourself the following questions?

• What’s my attitude to spending?
• What’s my attitude towards saving?
• How do my emotions affect my money management?
• How do you distinguish between "needs" and "wants"?
• How much debt are you comfortable with, and how will you decide whether something is worth going into debt to obtain?
• Do you buy items on credit that you used to pay for in cash?
• Are you late with your bill payments?
• Are you not sure what or how much you owe to whom?

Maybe it’s time to clean the cobwebs away and get your money management house in order, and this may be just the kick start you need to make that possible! If so, get in touch with maggie@myseamlessevents.com for more information about this event.

Unveiling of Land & Sea Murals at Ogden Point

Over the course of the past summer, a portion of the Ogden Point Breakwater inner wall has been transformed from a dark concrete surface into a series of a colorful hand-painted First Nations’ mural panels.

The Ogden Point Mural project, a collaboration between the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority and aboriginal Coast Salish artists Butch Dick (representing the Songhees First Nation) and Darlene Gait (representing the Esquimalt First Nation), and a team of aboriginal youth is a tribute to the unique artistic traditions of Canada’s first people.

The murals feature a series of undulating wave and sand forms filled with a variety of land and sea creatures common to the Westcoast which can be seen by visiting cruiseship passengers and those who walk the 2km long Ogden Point Breakwater.

The images of the land represented by Darlene Gait’s images of the cougar, the running deer, the raven and the eagle as well as the wolf are symbols of family unity, honesty, generosity, and respect, values which exemplify the dignity and nobility of First Nations people.

The artwork of Butch Dick portrays images of sea life including the salmon, the harbour seal, the devil fish (octopus), and the sea monster.

The "Ogden Point Land & Sea Mural Blessing Ceremony" organized by the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority with invited guests and dignitaries will take place in the Ogden Point Pocket Park (at the south end of Ogden Point adjacent to the Pilot Station) on Thursday, September 24, 2009 at 4 pm.

Mayor to Visit James Bay on September 25

At the invitation of the James Bay New Horizons Society, His Worship, The Mayor of the City of Victoria, Dean Fortin will grace the oldest neighborhood of British Columbia’s capital city with his prescence on Friday, September 25, 2009 from 10:00 am until 11:30 am at the James Bay New Horizons Activity Centre, 234 Menzies Street.

This will no doubt be a special occasion to enjoy a spot of coffee or tea, indulge in some fine food for thought, and perhaps engage in a personal chinwag with the Mayor. Surely there are oodles of issues to raise. What about the fetid fragrance of fertilizer deposited by more than a few furry fetlocks not to mention the frightful fumes from tour buses and float planes frequenting the neighborhood, the noise nuisance of squawking crows interspersed with the whine of whirring of helicopter blades or the looming tax increases to finance the 2010 Winter Olympic Games or the mayor’s marvellous million-dollar mega-project (the ‘Blue Bridge’) all of which add to the amusing ambiance of the place.

For those interested in learning more about "participatory democracy", and the "wonders of walkabouts", this might be an opportune moment to inquire about one’s favorite ‘elephant in the living room’, the latest misadventures in City Hall, or the mayor’s favorite choice of postcard which counsellors are handing out to citizens inviting them to voice their views.

Speaking of views, citizens may also wish to pay tribute to the City of Victoria’s official coat-of-arms with the inscribed Latin motto, "Semper Liber" (meaning "Always Free"). Clearly, citizens, like their elected leaders are "always free" to flap their gums, shoot the breeze or entice with sweet-talk. However, when push comes to shove it’s better to "Talk turkey"  which hopefully means that "Actions Speak Louder than Words". And as many of the elder generation know full well, the true measure of success is always that the "Proof is in the Pudding" (so it’s never a good idea to cook golden geese that keep those elected officials in office)!

September 19 – James Bay Day Celebrations!

Billed as a "Celebration of Creativity and Community Spirit", James Bay Day, will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2009 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm in Irving Park (at the corner of Menzies and Michigan Streets in Victoria’s oldest neighborhood), and it’s a party to which everyone is invited!

If you’re looking for an afternoon of great food, fine music, interactive workshops and games not to mention the music of Jenny Ritter with Adrian Dolan, as well as Masala, Mufaro Marimba and the Saints & Singers Choir, then you’ve come to the right spot! 

Organized by the James Bay Community School, together with other community organizations such as James Bay New Horizons and the James Bay Community Project, this event features a variety of free demonstrations and fun learning opportunities on topics ranging from aikido and belly dance to bicycle maintenance.

Those with big appetites will be pleased to know that the kitchen staff of the James Bay Community School is preparing all manner of good things from corn on the cob, homemade soup, hot dogs, ice cream, and popcorn to Afghani Bolaanees (a superb ethnic delight!).

For those of you who peddling their way to the event, the spoke folks from Cycle BC will be on hand to share their wealth of experience in bike maintenance and where to go for the best rides in Victoria.

And lastly, for those who simply want to mix and mingle and rub shoulders with the big brass and perhaps a politico or two…Carole James, local MLA and official leader of the opposition in the B.C. legislature right (within a bird’s eye view of Irving Park), will be there!

For more information: Tel: 250.389.1470 or Email: centredesk@jamesbaycentre.ca.

35th Anniversary of James Bay New Horizons Activity Centre

A page from the history of a venerable Victorian neighborhood -

On September 18, 2009, the James Bay New Horizons Society, (representing retired individuals and those wishing to become more actively involved in the life of their community), will be celebrating its 35^th anniversary. 

James Bay in the News This Week

Mainstream News Reports Featuring "James Bay"

Times Colonist: August 29, 2009 – "Discovery of human remains stop work trench"

BC Daily Buzz.com: August 25, 2009 – "BC Legislature Opens for Fall Sitting"

Times Colonist: August 20, 2009 – "Vision could transform the heart of James Bay"

News Niche Open For Business

This is your News Niche for all things related to James Bay.

Feel free to send along your nice news items. We love gathering all the good news stories we can get about our neighborhood…whether it’s a short note about your event and photos, a video of your latest gig with where you’re playing next, or perhaps it’s about that funny sofa that’s been donated to whoever happens to be strolling along Montreal Street…send it along, and we’ll see if we can include it in the News Niche.

In the meantime, don’t forget to check out who’s who and what’s what from other news sources who may have something to say about James Bay not to mention elsewhere:

NEWSPAPERS & MAGAZINES:

Boulevard Magazine, a monthly pubication that captures the personality, culture and vitality that is Victoria by focusing on the Arts, People, Trends, Food, Architecture and Design.

Focus Magazine– Victoria’s monthly print and online magazine of people, ideas and culture, (published by David Broadland).

James Bay Beacon– The neighborhood’s monthly newspapers published right in the neighborhood, (published by the James Bay Newspaper Society).

Monday Magazine – Victoria’s alternative and entertainment weekly newspaper, (published by Black Press).

Senior Living Magazine– A 50+ lifestyle monthly magazine (published in Victoria by Stratis Publishing Ltd.)

Times Colonist – Victoria’s daily print and online newspaper, (a division Canwest Publishing).

Victoria News – Local news in print and online, (published three times a week by Black Press).

Street Newz - An alternatively weekly produced with the assistance of the homeless community activists in Victoria.

BLOGS ABOUT JAMES BAY:

JamesBay.org – An information and discussion blog about James Bay.

James Bay Beacon Blogs – Blogs from the James Bay Beacon Community Newspaper

James Bay Babbler – A humorous take on James Bay.

Travelling Bean Coffee House Opens

Coffee connoisseurs will be pleased to know that there’s a new mix, mingle, and munch shop in James Bay.

The Travelling Bean Coffee House which opened on August 17th, is the second one in for launched by owners Rhonda and Rob Tilson who recently relocated from Vernon, B.C. An experienced retail manager and charming hostess, Rhonda is eager to please those who call James Bay home, or those on the road.

Situated near the corner of Menzies and Michigan Streets, it offers wholesome, hearty sandwiches and home-cooked soups for the lunch crowd, together with piping hot Italian coffee and muffins for well-heeled morning magpies.

A friendly, cozy atmosphere greets visitors along with photos from trips that Rhonda and family have taken over the years.

Designed as a welcome spot for travellers and locals to share their stories about life, changing landscapes and cultural capers… it also captures the owners’ passion for a superb cup of coffee!

Open Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 5:30 pm, and Saturday from 8 am to 4:00 pm, coffee-lovers will appreciate the tasty brand of beans being served – "Attibassi" (Crema d’Oro), a smooth tasting espresso imported from Bologna, Italy.

Don’t be surprised if you see a "Travelling Gnome" drop by to pick up a snack, sip on an Italian soda, or share a few laughs about where to find the best hill of beans in the world!

« Previous Page