Dear editor,
The impetus for writing this letter is the proposed closure of the ambulance service in Emo, and the loss of doctors in Rainy River providing critical care at the clinic and in the hospital.
Although these issues relate directly to health care services, I believe the underlying issue is the health, vitality, and safety of our communities in Northwestern Ontario, from Rainy River to Atikokan in the south, and Kenora to Ignace in the north, as well as our numerous Indigenous communities throughout the region. I believe many of our communities are not sustainable and cannot support the services we require. Communities are not attractive to professionals in order for them to want to move here. What do our communities have to offer? Why are our young adults leaving for post-secondary education and not returning? Because our communities do not offer the services for health care, leisure, entertainment, and employment that people require and desire. Could job vacancies be in part because people are leaving for education and not returning to find jobs here?
I would like to see all levels of government working together to ensure communities across the province and the country are healthy and safe. I would like to see Chiefs, Mayors, and Councils working together to ensure the region is thriving. I would like to see Members of Provincial Parliament and Members of Parliament working with our Councils to ensure their needs are met. Governments have made decisions, or refused to act, that have induced the decline in the region. For example, one provincial government allowed the paper mill in Fort Frances to close. The subsequent government did not do anything to open the mill; instead it has been demolished.
The southern region needs at least a couple industries immediately, with plans for one or two industries when the mine ceases operations. These communities need stores and businesses to support the population, and to provide services to workers. If you visit a mall in a city, or a strip mall in a town, you will see the kinds of businesses that we need. What enticements are being made for entrepreneurs to come here? Could business owners in Kenora and Dryden be approached to set up offices and businesses here as well?
Returning to my concerns for health care, I have questions. Are there inducement programmes that could be put in place? Could a subsidy or extra salary be offered to a physician or other professionals to come to the region for a minimum commitment (such as 5 years)? Perhaps at the end of the commitment period, some professionals would choose to stay, if the region provides the amenities that they need and want.
I ask our local government members: what are they doing to improve the life and health of our communities? What support do they need from other government bodies? I would also like to hear from opposition parties. What ideas and policies would they implement if they were to form the next government?
I would like to ask citizens to ask their representatives what they are doing to ensure our communities are sustainable and have the services needed. I also encourage citizens to ask questions of candidates in upcoming elections. What vision to do they have for your communities? How are they going to work with the federal, provincial, and other municipal governments to ensure the region is vibrant and healthy? Whereas I recognise that health care is in provincial jurisdiction, all governments have a vested interest in ensuring we have a robust and flexible public health care system. Governments also need to communicate what support and input they require from the people they represent.
I thank doctors and nurses who make sacrifices to serve the community. If it is possible, and if the doctors are willing, I hope the Rainy River doctors would be able to stay. I am sure the people of the communities surrounding Lake of the Woods would appreciate continuity in their health care.
Craig Gustafson
Fort Frances
