May 2010 What’s on your mind
The month of May reiterated your priorities of health care and education.
On the health care front, many of you contacted me on the cataract surgery issue. Some comments included taking a “wait and see attitude” because you want to see how this new system is going to work and if you will get your important eye surgeries done in a timely fashion. Many of you expressed your distrust in the changes that the PC government is proposing. We also received questions on what the government will do on the breakthrough on Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and its relationship to chronic cerebro spinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI). I had the pleasure of meeting with someone who had CCSVI treatment in Poland and it was amazing listening and hearing about her progress. Constituents are also concerned about the length of time for hip and knee surgeries and what the government is doing so you can access your surgery quicker.
On the education front, this is still one of your top concerns and you have focused on several things. You have expressed concerns about the rumors of teacher layoffs and the effects it will have on your children in the classroom. Those concerns are well-founded. In addition, you want to know what is going to happen to children who have special needs and their funding. Finally, you want to know about the deficits that school boards have and how those are going to be paid off.
Your third top issue for May was a variety of subjects. From seniors inquiring about their drug plans, questions about the government’s proposed carbon capture and storage program, the road construction on Deerfoot Trail and the proposed changes to casino funding. Once again we are receiving calls to cuts to Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD). The government continues to deny these cuts, but agencies and families are telling me a much different story and I will keep focused on making sure this issue is addressed.