NEWS Health Care forum gives locals information Page 1 & 6
BUSINESS Totals for Miracle Weekend fundraisers are in Page 3 & 5
COMMUNITY
Sierra Fire Crew members help out once again Page 12
SPOTLIGHT $1.10 Includes TAX
The Similkameen
Volume 65 Issue 24
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Proudly serving the community since 1948 • www.similkameenspotlight.com
We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage.
Canadian Medicare under threat
A legal battle before the courts in B.C., is being called “the most significant challenge in Canadian history.” Lisa Carleton lisa@similkameenspotlight.com
In September of this year, the B.C. Supreme Court will hear the case brought forward by Dr. Brian Day, owner of a Vancouver for-profit clinic. The B.C. Health Coalition and Canadian Doctors for Medicare will be facing Dr. Day in court. They will be fighting to save Canada’s Medicare system. If Dr. Day wins his case in court, the Canadian Medicare system will be replaced by what is called a “US-style system.” It is believed that the public health care system Canadians rely upon will be dismantled, leaving doctors to be able to set any price they want; costly private insurance policies will become the norm like in the United States where the cost of insurance for a family of four is $16,000 per year and public wait times increasing due to doctors and nurses leaving the public system to practice in the for-profit system. The B.C. Health Coalition and Canadian Doctors for Medicare are asking that all Canadians become involved in helping to save the Canadian Medicare System. They ask that you become aware - sign up at www.savemedicare.ca - keep up to date with the court case and help spread the word in your community.
See HEALTH CARE - Page 6
Lisa Carleton/Spotlight
Princeton Youth Soccer hosted a fun day mini-tournament for kids aged four to those in grade four at the Princeton Secondary School on Saturday, June 7. Approximately 100 kids along with their siblings, parents and grandparents enjoyed the day.
Province cuts school support deal ahead of teachers strike vote Tentative agreement gives CUPE staff 5.5 per cent over five years Jeff Nagel Black Press
The province has struck a tentative deal with 34,000 school support staff on the eve of B.C. teachers’ vote on staging a full-scale strike. The five-year agreement reached Saturday provides wage increases totaling 5.5 per cent, with potential for more tied to the performance of the B.C. economy – in line with the standard settlements reached with other public sector unions. It covers education assistants, school secretaries, caretakers, bus drivers and other education support staff, mostly repre-
Weather Watch Wednesday
High 23/Low 6
Thursday
High 20/Low 8
Friday
High 14/Low 8
Saturday
High 18/Low 8
Sunday
High 17/Low 7
Truck Parts Hydraulic Hoses ATV Accessories Industrial Supplies 309 Culbertson Way Beside Kal Tire
sented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees. The union and provincial negotiators with the B.C. Public School Employers Association hammered the deal out in just five days following the start of talks last Tuesday. “This success provides ample evidence that the bargaining system works — when the parties come to the table with reasonable expectations and a flexible, solution-oriented approach,” said BCPSEA public administrator Michael Marchbank said. “We built some momentum very quickly,” CUPE B.C. spokesman Rob Hewitt said.
See DEAL - Page 5