A very interesting thing happened this summer which I want to write about today to encourage you. Actually, the same thing happened twice, and in two different provinces.
Those of you on our private BC chapter’s secure, free, email list heard on July 14th that the BC government had a survey up on the internet (for approximately 2 weeks at that time) seeking public opinion on implementation of full day kindergarten for 3, 4, and 5 year olds in BC. However, they hadn’t been seeking public opinion very hard up to that point, as there had been no press release until after the BC based organization, Kids First, asked them where it was, and they didn’t release it until after school was out at the end of June. And the closing date for submission of comments was July 15th, one day away from when we sent word to those on our list.
But there was tremendous response from our email Alert directing people to give their opinions on the government’s website. There was so much response, in fact, that on the 15th of July, the Minister of Education announced that because of the level of interest, they were postponing the closing deadline for submissions to August 15th.
Our actions and responses made a difference! I was pleased, though part of me wondered if it was just coincidence. But then it happened again.
In mid August, social conservative groups became aware of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario’s request for input to a new draft policy impacting conscience rights for Ontario physicians, the deadline for which being August 15th. The draft policy document, “Physicians and the Ontario Human Rights Code” provides that the Human Rights Tribunal may take action against a physician who refuses to provide — or refer for — procedures that he/she finds morally objectionable. The document also states the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario plans to force objecting physicians to actively assist patients to obtain morally controversial services, despite the fact that a similar call to action in 2006, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, generated fierce opposition.
There had been no press release by the College when the draft policy was posted for consultation near the end of June, but the response was so great at the last minute and the call to extend the deadline so universal, that the College extended the deadline to September 12th.
Social conservatives have been likened to a sleeping giant in Canada. Well, it seems that the giant is beginning to stir. God grant that we see more of these small evidences that our voice is beginning to be heard! Keep up the good work, friends, and keep poking the giant that he/she may not return to somnolent oblivion any time soon! And if you have an email address but are not yet on our BC chapter e-mail list, the national, or Toronto e-mail list, please let us know when you next renew your membership or send in a donation.
I hope to meet many of you at the conference and the reception afterward. Please come and introduce yourselves to me! I look forward to it.
Until then!
Laurie |
