NJN Network

By Stephen Pate, NJN Network, Charlottetown, PEI, Canada, February 8, 2009, 12:30 PM EST

Senator Mike Duffy was not truthful with Canadians when he said in the Senate (Hansard)

,”My BlackBerry just went off with a message from my staff person in Prince Edward Island, who reminds me, having read this text in advance, not to forget how important small business is to P.E.I. Sixty per cent of all our economic activity is small business.”

To put it politely, his remarks were disingenuous, a fib, a tall tale, a white lie, a prevarication.

It is true his Blackberry went off. The message was shorter than Senator Duffy reported. It only had two words,

“Shut Up.”

Those are the two words Senator Duffy read on his Blackberry, simply “Shut up.”
Read the rest of this entry »

RDSP’s or Registered Disability Savings Plans are a brand new government program that may allow you to save money for a dependant or related person who qualifies for the Disability Tax Credit.

The program is so new that only the Bank of Montreal has its program ready, according to their website.

There is a free RDSP Savings Bond of $1,000 for families with an income of $21,288 prorated down for incomes up to $37,885. That alone may be worth opening a RDSP. However, bank fees may impact the benefit.

There is also a Disability Savings grant of $3,500 based on your contribution and income level.

Like most Federal SP’s the rules are complex and the benefits vary by income level and age. For instance, if the disabled person is 60 or older, you cannot start an RDSP. No Savings Grants are allowed after the 49th birthday of the beneficiary.

The cut-off date for 2008 plans and contributions is March 2, 2009 due to the late start of the program.

Contribuitions are not-tax deductible which essentially signals this as a low benefit and low priority tax program. That is, except for the grants and bonds.

In January 2009, we will report on the RDSP in detail covering how it works and who may benefit from the program.

Letter to the Editor
December 17th, 2008
PEI Disability Alert is giving the “2008 Scrooge to the Disabled” award to PEI Premier Robert Ghiz for not delivering on his promise to put seniors into the PEI Disability Support Program. This is the first official year for this award, although Premier Pat Binns did get honourable mention in our December 20, 2006 article “PEI Government plays Scrooge to Islanders with disabilities”.

Robert Ghiz earns 2008 Scrooge Award to the Disabled

Premier Ghiz has mismanaged the reported $400 million in Immigrant Investment. He is wasting $200 million annually on patronage by sole sourcing government business that should be tendered. He lavishes money on large corporations like the recent $30 million low-interest loan to build another luxury hotel in Charlottetown.

Despite all that, Premier Ghiz refuses to keep his promise and spend a small amount on the 2,300 seniors with disabilities who still need a wheelchair, hearing aid or other device.

Scrooge, not even a lump of coal

That is a Scrooge of grand proportions. Scrooge wouldn’t put a lump of coal on the fire for his employee. Scrooge begrudged all expense except for himself.

We believe the award is well earned by our Premier Robert Ghiz.

We hope the Premier enjoys his holidays with not a material or health care in the world. Maybe as he reflects on the true spirit of Christmas he will have a change of heart and show compassion on those less fortunate than his family.

The promise to include seniors was negotiated over months with meetings, emails and phone calls.

In the run up to last year’s election, we criticized the Tory government for a $1 million cutback in DSP spending and for excluding Islanders 65 and older from receiving benefits like wheelchairs, hearing aids and other assistive devices.

We advocated with the Conservative, Liberal and NDP parties to correct these problems. Conservatives ignored the issue. The NDP were receptive and made reform part of their election platform.

The Liberal Opposition asked for position papers on needed reforms. We had meetings where their election platform was developed. We met with Richard Brown and with Chris LeClair, Robert Ghiz’s Chief of Staff.

The agreement was clear and simple. The Liberal Party, if elected, would reform the DSP including adding seniors to the DSP in their 2nd year in office. In July we met with Chris LeClair now Deputy to the Premier Robert Ghiz. He repeated the promise and promoted a reform committee.

As time wore on it became clear that reform was not going to happen.

We discussed this with LeClair and Minister Currie. They assured us that seniors would get in the program. I joined the Reform Committee in optimism and resigned months later in disgust. It was a sham.

It’s two years later and there is no coverage for seniors in the Disability Support Program.

Stephen Pate
PEI Disability Alert
Charlottetown, PE

EDITORIAL STAFF

The Guardian

Kay Reynolds, a champion of the rights of the disabled in Prince Edward Island for more than half a century, died Thursday at the Prince Edward Home in Charlottetown. She was 85.

The funeral is to take place Monday from Central Christian Church at 11 a.m. Visiting hours are Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. at MacLean Funeral Home Swan Chapel.

Reynolds fought for the rights of the disabled since she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1949.

She was instrumental in the formation of the P.E.I. Council of the Disabled and the first Island Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society and had long supported the work of Pat and the Elephant, the specialized transportation service utilized by Islanders with disabilities.

She served as a member of that service’s board of directors and continually fought for funding to help preserve it.
For her work, she was named Islander of the Year, an award sponsored by The Evening Patriot.

Reynolds was born in Dartmouth, Oct. 11, 1923, was educated at Prince of Wales College, and graduated from the P.E.I. Hospital School of Nursing in 1945.

Reynolds was a young mother and professional nurse when she was first diagnosed with MS.

She was able to continue working professionally for five years after the diagnosis, but her deteriorating health forced her to leave her job and that’s when she began helping people in a different way.

Reynolds loved nursing, particularly working in the maternity ward so caring for others came naturally to her and she continued to do it.

She taught home nursing for St. John Ambulance and ran the nurses’ registry until an hour before she moved from her home to the Dr. Eric Found Centre. She later moved into the Prince Edward Home to live but remained active in various charitable organizations until just recently.

A Guardian story on Reynolds which ran prior to a 2000 fund-raising dinner in her honour for Pat and the Elephant stated:
“When Kay took on the challenge, there was no Council of the Disabled, no Multiple Sclerosis Society on the Island, virtually no wheelchair ramps, no automatic doors, disabled parking spaces, access to jobs, independent-living facilities, powered wheelchairs and scooters, no Pat and the Elephant transportation service . . . no recognition that those with challenges have an equal right to live a full life on their own terms.”

There have been many positive changes in the years Reynolds has fought for the rights of the disabled and in 1993 her contributions were recognized when an independent living centre in Charlottetown was named in her honour.

Her involvement and positive influence continue. She sat in the provincial legislature as part of a very vocal and successful lobby to obtain provincial government funding for the first drugs available to treat multiple sclerosis.

Reynolds says the growth of Pat and the Elephant is one thing that gave her a sense of great satisfaction. It means she and many others have their independence and can contribute to their community.

She served until just recently on the board of Pat and the Elephant, the Council of the Disabled, Kay Reynolds Centre and the Quality Control Council for the Beach Grove and Prince Edward homes.

Reynolds insists she is simply one of many doing this work but she inspired many to get involved and to see their abilities, not their disabilities.

By Stephen Pate
PEI Disability Alert

The recent story on CBC P.E.I. avoids human rights panels makes us think the time is right for Islanders with disabilities to bring their claims forward.

According to the story “There have been no public hearing panel decisions by the commission since September 2007, but executive director David Larter told CBC News this week that several cases came close to having a panel convened.”

What that doesn’t tell us is – are cases being settled sooner than in the past. The 4 families who won their appeal last June on the Province’s autism policy said their case was 5 years in the system. Justice delayed is justice denied so we’d like to believe the system is working quicker than that.

The main story on the autism case is Rights Panel Rejects disabled support questionnaire. There are other linked stories you can research from that point.

Persons with disabilities are protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms from discrimination. The only official body that adjudicates those issues, other court, is the PEI Human Rights Commission. Unfortunately, they are only allowed to hear cases based on the limited PEI Human Rights Act.

Another question we’d like answered is when is the Human Rights Commission going to provide legal assistance to Islanders with human rights claims. In most cases people filing claims for Human Rights abuse are poor, disabled, and or unemployed. The mere fact they have to pay a lawyer is a big barrier to justice.

We’ll pursue those questions and others with the Commission and report back.

Included with the story are viewer comments including one from William Lea, one of PEI’s more esteemed lawyers.

P.E.I. avoids human rights panels

No panels of the P.E.I. Human Rights Commission sat in 2008, as all complaints were settled before reaching that stage in the proceedings.

There have been no public hearing panel decisions by the commission since September 2007, but executive director David Larter told CBC News this week that several cases came close to having a panel convened.

“We found this year we’ve had a number that have been scheduled, however just prior to the panel commencing, the parties have agreed on it, without prejudice basis, that they’re going to settle this matter,” said Larter.

The lack of panels does not mean the commission hasn’t been busy. Larter said at any given time, it is handling more than 60 cases.

The most common discrimination complaints involve employment, disabilities and political beliefs. Larter said it is better to resolve issues without the panel, which take a lot of time and money for everyone involved.

“It’s akin to a lawsuit,” he said.

“If I were to sue you and we appear in court, we’re going to have to call our witnesses; it’s the same thing with a panel hearing on the Human Rights Act.”

While have been no cases in 2008, Larter said there are two or three cases currently on the commission’s books that he expects will reach the panel stage in the new year.

Viewer comments, often interesting

Kaodake wrote:

I agree with William Lea. If all the PEI HCR can do is say “you shouldn’t do that” then it really has no purpose. No company or employer is going to respect a commission that cannot enforce it’s decisions.

William Lea wrote:

I cannot agree that the commission ought to be “quietly folded into obscurity”. It is essential that there is a tribunal to which we can turn, ordinarily without cost, when our human rights are violated.

The Itchy Beaver

PEI spends a lot of money each year to hear peple cry in their coffee over lost opportunity usually due to incompetence and poor attitude. Granted, occasionally merit comes into play with employers who are complete ‘pigs’ who need the PEIHRC one day or half day work place behaviour course… otherwise it’s truly a lot of fluff.

Most islanders use the PEI HRC is the last stop on the ‘Deperato Train.’ When nothing else will stick, contact the firendly folk at the HRC for a shot at some cash or public humiliation of your ‘opponenet.’

It would save tax payer dollars if the Commission was quiety folded into obscurity with purely an educational role, not a legislative enforcement capacity.

But hey, I’m only a tax payer.

National Report Points To Unmet Needs Of Canadians Living With Osteoporosis

Diagnosis And Treatment Depends On Where You Live

An assessment of the availability of osteoporosis medications on provincial/territorial public drug plans yielded grades that ranged
significantly from one A (Quebec)…to a failing grade of F (Prince Edward Island)

TORONTO, Nov. 24 /CNW/ – A revealing new report released today by Osteoporosis Canada offers solid evidence that our publicly-funded health care system is failing large numbers of Canadians who suffer painful wrist, spine, and hip fractures as a result of osteoporosis.

One in four women and at least one in eight men over the age of 50 have osteoporosis, yet only a small number of these Canadians are being referred for bone mineral density (BMD) testing, an essential tool in the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis. Those who are referred may face long wait times depending on where they live. Further, access to publicly-funded drug treatment options that can help prevent fractures varies dramatically across the country, and in some provinces, individuals with osteoporosis are unable to access them.

Breaking Barriers, Not Bones, is the first large-scale national Report Card of its kind to assess and grade Canadians’ access to BMD testing and osteoporosis medications on provincial/territorial drug benefit plans across the country. The report also looked at various provincial initiatives undertaken to help in the care of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis Canada’s Report Card Committee produced the report in an effort to highlight provincial activity related to osteoporosis care. The Committee evaluated information and data provided by provincial and territorial governments, and summarized it to provide a cross-country picture of government initiatives.

Key findings that Breaking Barriers Not Bones brings to light:

Analysis of the data on current rates of BMD testing across the country indicate that access is far from adequate – most provinces received a grade of C or lower, despite the existence of guidelines for identifying those who should be tested. The grades ranged from two B’s (Alberta, Ontario); one C (British Columbia); six D’s (Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories); followed by two failing grades of F (Saskatchewan, Manitoba).

- An assessment of the availability of osteoporosis medications on provincial/territorial public drug plans yielded grades that ranged significantly from one A (Quebec); two B’s (Ontario and Yukon); sixC’s (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador); a C minus (British Columbia); to a failing grade of F (Prince Edward Island).

According to Dr. Famida Jiwa, Vice President, and Chair, Report Card Committee, Osteoporosis Canada, this kind of research is significant because it confirms for the first time where major gaps exist across the country in accessing BMD testing and the various treatment options that could help to prevent future fractures. She points out that the report will also act as a valuable tool in terms of providing a benchmark to measure future progress.

“Osteoporosis has a profound impact on an individual’s quality of life and a tremendous financial burden on Canada’s health care system,” says Dr. Jiwa. “The report makes it clear that Canadians in some parts of the country have poorer access to diagnosis and treatment than in others, and that’s unacceptable. Ensuring that Canadians with osteoporosis have access to
adequate care regardless of where they live must be a priority”.

Osteoporosis is a chronic disease whose incidence will continue to rise as the proportion of older adults in our population increases. Appropriate intervention means that the disability and health costs associated with the disease can be better managed, and the quality of life for the estimated 2 million Canadians living with osteoporosis improved.

“Reducing fractures through risk reduction, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of patients should be the goal of our health care system in addressing osteoporosis care,” says Julie Foley, President and CEO, Osteoporosis Canada. “With early diagnosis, individuals can manage their osteoporosis and significantly reduce their fracture risk through treatment and life style changes. These include regular exercise, adequate intake of vitamin D and calcium. Dairy products such as milk, cheese and yogurt contain excellent sources of calcium and are easily absorbed by the body.”

Dr. Diane Thériault, Medical Director, DOME Program, Dartmouth General Hospital and National Board Chair, Osteoporosis Canada, believes Breaking Barriers, Not Bones will help to raise awareness about how critical it is that all Canadians have access to BMD testing and effective treatment.

“Osteoporosis is a silent disease. For most people, a BMD test is the only way to make a diagnosis of osteoporosis. In addition, a BMD measurement helps to determine a person’s risk of fracture,” she explains. “Without a BMD test, people who need treatment will be overlooked or missed, and some people will be treated who don’t need it. For those at high risk, there are effective medications that can significantly reduce their risk of a debilitating fracture. It is therefore important that such medications be covered under provincial drug insurance plans.

“Breaking Barriers, Not Bones” presents a number of recommendations to improve the outcomes for those living with osteoporosis and to reduce its impact on the health care system.

The federal and provincial/territorial governments must work collaboratively to create a national strategy, supported by parallel provincial/territorial strategies that provide coordinated osteoporosis care.

- These strategies should ensure that current and future initiatives in risk reduction, diagnosis and treatment are: coordinated, evidence-based, comprehensive, appropriately resourced within the publicly funded system. The ultimate goal is to reduce debilitating fractures and their impact on individual lives and on the health care system.

- Osteoporosis Canada is offering to work in partnership with the federal and provincial/territorial governments to develop and implement comprehensive and integrated strategies.

“We call on the federal and provincial/territorial governments to meet with us without delay so we can begin the process of improving the bone health of all Canadians,” says Julie Foley.

Established in 1982, Osteoporosis Canada (OC) was the first national organization for osteoporosis in the world and is the only national charitable organization serving Canadians who have, or are at risk of, osteoporosis. Its vision is a Canada without osteoporotic fractures.

The Report Card was made possible through unrestricted grants from AMGEN Canada Inc.; Dairy Farmers of Canada; Eli Lilly Canada Inc.; Merck Frosst Canada Ltd.; Novartis pharmaceuticals Canada Inc.; and The Alliance for Better Bone Health (Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals Inc. and sanofi-aventis Canada Inc.).

For further information: to obtain a copy of the Report Card, or to arrange an interview with an Osteoporosis Canada spokesperson, please contact: Ellen Woodger at (416) 483-2358, ellen.woodger@sympatico.ca

Last Updated: Tuesday, December 2, 2008 | 12:11 AM ET
CBC News

The rising cost of drugs prevents some Canadians from getting the treatment they need, the Canadian Health Coalition says in renewing its call for a national pharmacare plan.

The group held public hearings across the country from October 2007 through last March, with more than 250 Canadians talking about the difficulties faced with the cost, effectiveness or availability of prescription drugs.

Brenda Young of Prince Edward Island told the hearings that she and her husband work hard to support themselves and their two teenaged children, but they live paycheque to paycheque.

“When I go for surgery, everything is covered,” said Young, who has neurofibromatosis, an inherited condition involving fibrelike growths of the nerves and skin.

“But as soon as I am out of the hospital, there is no money for ongoing drugs or physical therapy.… If the children need prescriptions, I sometimes have to tell them to wait until payday.”

Many Canadians have no drug plan, and those who do face increasing costs, according to the report released Tuesday, Life Before Pharmacare, noting the patchwork of private and public plans is reminiscent of the days before medicare.
Drug coverage lost

“In this serious economic downturn, Canadians are losing their drug plans as they lose their jobs,” said Kathleen Connors, chairwoman of the Canadian Health Coalition.

“A public pharmacare plan will not only provide medically necessary drugs to all Canadians, regardless of where they live or work. It will also create more efficient spending in the health-care system. We’ll get more and pay less.”

The report recommends:

* A universal public drug plan to replace the expensive patchwork of private and public plans, with costs shared among federal and provincial governments and employers, and administered by the provinces and territories.
* A national formulary to cover the full cost of essential drugs, with decisions on what drugs are paid for based on independent evaluation of safety, effectiveness and value, with allowances made for special needs and circumstances.
* A national strategy to reduce drug prices by buying in bulk.
* A national public drug information system to provide unbiased drug information.
* Stronger, strictly enforced legislation to ban all advertising of prescription drugs to consumers in Canada.
* Improved prescribing behaviour so drugs are used only when needed, with the right drug for the right problem.
* Faster access to more affordable non-patented drugs and repeal of regulations that extend monopoly patents beyond 20 years.

Efficiency is one of the strongest arguments for a universal pharmacare program, said Philip Lillies, who lives in Moncton, N.B., with his wife, who has multiple sclerosis.
Costs add up

“The hodge-podge of programs that attempt to substitute for it is not only unfair, they are also costly both in a financial sense and a social sense,” said Lillies, who told the hearings that his wife was first affected with MS when she was in her 30s.

Now in her early 50s, she is unable to walk and doesn’t qualify for benefits under the Canada Pension Plan, while New Brunswick offers no disability pension, Lillies said.

Other Canadians shared stories of struggles with government red tape, the cost of losing coverage when moving to another province, and young adults who are shut out of drug coverage.

Last week, a report released by the Competition Bureau suggested that making strategies changes to Canada’s generic drug market could deliver up to $800 million in savings that could be returned to the consumer or reinvested in the health-care system.

Most people are familiar with the Easter Seals Ambassador or Timmy named after the Tiny Tim in Dickens’ Christmas Carol. These annual campaigns have raised millions since the 1920’s for children with disabilities. Today children represent only 5% of the population with disabilities. 95% of people in Canada with a disability are 15 or older.(note 1)

Tiny Tim was the child with a disability who displayed indomitable courage and hope despite his disabling condition. This illness would have killed him if Scrooge had not intervened with help in the form of money.

Before the days of universal health care and hospitalization, if you got a crippling disease like polio your parents had to pay the doctors, the hospital, the rehabilitation and the braces or iron lung. Many parents just couldn’t afford it.

Thankfully groups like Easter Seals, March of Dimes and Rotary jumped into the breach and were leaders in providing financial support for strapped families.

Today we don’t have the same scourge of childhood diseases to give our children disabilities. We have adult trauma such as work-related, auto and sports accidents to cause spinal cord and other injuries. We have adult onset health problems such as diabetes, muscular dystrophy, and multiple sclerosis.

There are 160,000 children under 15 with a disability in Canada (excluding Quebec) and 3.4 million Canadians with disabilities 15 years and older. The numbers are staggering. Charities alone cannot deal with the immensity of the problem. Federal and Provincial governments have been working on a strategy to fix the problem for over a decade.

Note 1 – statistics from ‘Supports and Services for Adults and Children Aged 5 – 14 with Disabilities in Canada: An analysis of Data on Needs and Gaps’ Commissioned by Federal-Provincial-Territorial Ministers Responsible for Social Services December 3, 2004

One in seven Canadians has a disability severe enough to impair their daily living. The impairment can range from sometimes to often. Excluding Quebec which does not participate in Federal studies, there are 3.5 million Canadians with disabilities.

Look around you. If there are seven people in the area, one person likely has a disability. Or maybe not: they might not have been able to get to where you are at school, work, mall or other public place.

For the moderate to severely impaired, each day is a challenge of overcoming physical barriers, pain, and discouragement. The simple acts of getting up in the morning, bathroom duties, breakfast and getting off to work become for many Olympic hurdles.

Once the impairment reaches a certain stage, getting and remaining at work becomes impossible which is why people with disabilities have lower work-force participation than people without disabilities.

Disability in Canada since 2001 has been studied by a group called PALS, Participation and Activity Limitation Survey, funded by Human Resources Development Canada. Their last study which is rich with numbers and information can be found by clicking on the link.