Six term MP Anderson saluted for his dedicated efforts
Editor:
Twenty years ago, I met a young guy that was running as the Canadian Alliance Party candidate for our district of Cypress Hills-grasslands. Like practically everyone else involved with the party that had grown out of the Reform Party movement of the 80s and 90s, Dave was a wide-eyed idealist. He was fresh off the farm in Frontier, Saskatchewan, had a mullet haircut, and wore a quilted plaid jacket bought on sale at Peavey Mart. Over a period of months, three or four of us travelled all over Southwestern Saskatchewan, holding town hall meetings, and talking to small groups of people about the state of Canadian politics and the goals of Conservatives. He talked about things like fiscal responsibility in government, democratic reform and family values. He wasn’t very smooth, but man, oh man, was he sincere and passionate.
Dave won his seat in that election, in the year 2000. Dave has jokingly reminded me since then about a conversation we had shortly after. I said, “Dave, before you go to Ottawa, may I give you some advice?” “Sure,” he said. I said, “Get a haircut and buy a suit.” Ironically, 20 years later, Dave wears a suit every day while I have grown my hair out and wear my Peavey Mart quilted jacket right now as I write this.
I’ll let other people write about the victories and defeats of Canadian Conservative politics since then but, since 2000, Dave has won re-election five times. He was instrumental in reforming the Canadian Wheat Board. He has been on countless committees and helped his constituents on countless occasions. He was Chairman of the National Prayer Breakfast for four years. He has been a tireless advocate of religious freedom, not only for Christians, but for all people of faith; and not only for Canadians, but for people the world over.
These days, when you watch the news, you just can’t help but shake your head at the things that go on. But, I don’t feel that way when I think about our MP from Southwest Saskatchewan. Dave is just as sincere, passionate and approachable as he was when he started. In all these years of service to the people of Southwest Saskatchewan, he has represented us with tireless effort and consistent integrity. How many politicians do you know that can say that?
Dave has now announced that he will not seek re-election this year. On one hand, I think we need him more than ever. On the other hand, Sheila and the Anderson family need him too. After 20 years, I guess we should probably let them have their turn. Those of you who have met Dave will agree that he is probably not the tallest man on Parliament Hill. But, in my mind, he is one of the biggest and he has left some mighty large shoes to fill. Thank you for everything you’ve done, Dave, and may God bless you and your family in all your future endeavours. Bob Sonntag - S3 Enterprises Inc.
I am aware of the state of the finances of the province at this time. I also know that we cannot go back to when the province was booming and money should have been put away for a rainy day. Sadly this did not happen and the seniors of Saskatchewan are paying the price. These people who helped build this province are not benefiting from their sacrifices and labours. Instead they are minimally cared for in our Long Term Care system, as your government has cut funding in healthcare
The facility my father lives in, is a beautiful modern building, but doesn’t have sufficient funding for staff to ensure his basic care and safety.
The change from institutional living to holistic living was an incredible dream, the key word being dream. The belief that two care aids being able to cook for 10 residents, along with personal care for the same 10 residents, is unrealistic.
As personal care for each resident is helping them to dress, wash/bathe, toilet, get out of bed, eat, and their well-being. Now imagine you have four or more residents all needing assistance at the same time. Continue to imagine you have one care aid during the day for four hours alone, 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., and then again from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.. Plus one care aid alone at night with the same 10 helpless residents. Add on the duties of cooking three meals a day, on top of the personal care. Tiring physically and mentally isn’t it.
The holistic belief is that Long Term Care should be more like home, but once again if my father could be at home, he would be. As a caregiver you cannot physically/mentally do everything and not burn out or need to cut out some of the daily care. Cutting out daily care is when residents don’t get a bath that week, or they sadly must endure sitting in a soiled undergarment, or they fall and lay on the floor until help is able to get to them. Sadly all of this happens because your government and the health authority use a formula stating that two people should be able to adequately care for 10 adults. This formula does not take into consideration that the 10 adults are not all physically, or mentally, able to do anything or little for themselves.
I believe that the citizens of Saskatchewan would not begrudge money being spent to have proper care for our seniors. The basic care and safety of our seniors, along with the health/well-being and safety of our health professionals, shouldn’t have a price tag.
I hope that you could look into your sense of morals/humanity and not the monetary aspect of health care, and allocate more money, so that our seniors are cared for the way they deserve and our health care professionals are able to do their job with the pride and compassion they signed up for. Heather Fisher - Swift Current