Neigh bours Newsletter - neighbours-rouyn

1
CBC in Rouyn-Noranda
Volume 3, Issue 3
March 2006
Quebec AM with
Tim Belford visited and
broadcasted live from
Rouyn-Noranda
on
February 24, 2006!
Neighbours Newsletter
NEIGHBOURS
REGIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ROUYN-NORANDA
What a wonderful
event! What a great
turnout!
How important can
a radio show be? Judging by the welcome
host Tim Belford received when he visited
us, it would seem that
Quebec A.M. is an indispensable part of the
morning
for
many
English-speaking Quebecers,
including
Rouyn-Noranda. Over
75 people in total
turned out to meet the
team and witness a
live radio show.
Tim Belford and his
team (Nick Gamache,
Suzanne Campbell and
Karl Vincent) highlighted local English
speaking people over
the 3 hour period.
Some interesting inter-
views were done with
Mr & Mrs Marion,
Shannon
Lacroix
–
President of the Student Council of Noranda
School,
the
Charchuk brothers –
co-owners
of
the
Rouyn-Noranda
Huskies,
Mitch
Lariviere – Chairperson
Neighbours, and Gina
Kingsbury – Olympic
Gold Medalist, just to
name a few!
Taped
interviews
included
dif f er ent
classes and students
from Noranda School
and Anria Hamel from
our local CEDEC, these
interviews will be run-
Inside this issue:
ning throughout
coming weeks.
A warm atmosphere prevailed in the
room. A light breakfast
was provided. Quiz’s
on
Rouyn-Noranda
were done by Nick –
congrats to our winners Emily Crepeau
and Bri Martin for
knowing that the word
Noranda comes from
North Canada and that
Mike Ribeiro and Pierre
Dagenais both played
for the Huskies and
are now part of the
Montreal
Canadiens
Hockey Team!
Neighbours
is
pleased to have been
able to provide the
local English Community with this experience and
would
like
to thank everyone for participated in such great
numbers!
Editor’s Notes:
Chair Report & CC Report
2
This edition is full of fun items
Health Committee Report
3
and pictures!
A child’s pride in her country—Writing Contest
4
In Pictures
4-5
Health Day
6
Health Care
News
the
8—9
10—11
Happy Reading!
For comments and suggestions please
contact the newsletter
committee through our office
762-0882
2
Community Coordinator Report
It’s that time of year that
many of us find ourselves less than
energetic about a number of things.
After all, no matter how much some
of us (myself included) might love
winter, no matter how much we are
all used to the snow, the ice and those
wintry blasts of artic wind, no matter
how tough and how Canadian we all
my be – face it, winter seems to feel
terribly long by this time of year!!
tivities we are involved with.
On a provincial note we are
also quite active. Elsie Sullivan and
myself attended the CHSSN Health
Conference (see related article) which
gave us an extra opportunity to network with other organizations. On a
personal note I was able to meet
Megan Switzer, Neighbours Program
Director from Canadian Heritage.
At the end of March I will be
attending Consultative meetings with
the QCGN and the Federal Privy
Council. I look forward to hearing
how our new Federal Government
feels about Community Groups. Following the consultations the QCGN
will be having their Annual Winter
Meeting – Mitch, myself and Ron
Howard will be attending those meetings and bringing back I am sure
some interesting information and
prospects for us locally.
Mi t ch La r i vi er e, Pa m
But Neighbours is doing its
Belanger and myself have been atpart to keep you busy and not wallowtending Strategic and Operational
So don’t let the winter blues
ing in the winter blues!
Planning Workshops in Quebec City.
get you down. Come out and enjoy
As you will read in this news- Many of you partook in this by volunone of the many events that
letter we are very active at this time teering to spend some of your valuNeighbours is hosting!!!
of year! Courses, Information Days, able time taking an over the phone
hosting CBC, and providing Live En- interview with Kevin Saville to help
Sharleen Sullivan
tertainment are just some of the ac- guide us along.
Holiday Social with Santa
Last December Neighbours hosted a Holiday Strawberry Social for our members and the Englishspeaking community. A great time was had by all and we were even lucky enough to have a visit from
Santa!!
Everyone has a Christmas wish ...
Mrs Ladds gives Santa a hard time!
Playing the games
VOLUME 3, ISSUE 3
Page 2
3
Health Committee Report - CHSSN CONFERENCE
Sharleen Sullivan (Neighbours CC)
and Elsie Sullivan, chairperson for the Health
and Social Services dossier with Neighbours
and member of the Regional English Advisory Board attended the CHSSN 6th Provincial Conference on Accessibility of
Health and Social Services in the English Language. The conference was held on
Feb 23rd and Feb 24, 2006 in Montreal.
The conference theme was Building
Links: strategies and models to promote the
health and well-being of English-speaking
communities within the new reality of the
Quebec’s health and social services network.
A pre-conference research symposium
on Wednesday morning presented highlights
of new research and evaluation initiatives
related to the Vitality of English-speaking
communities and their access to services.
We as a group have some valid questions on the results of the CROP survey. Out
of 5313 English speaking persons in AbitibiTemiscamingue ONLY 30 were contacted for
the survey. Neighbours will be questioning
the results on this basis. “Some of the results put forth are dangerously inadequate
and I honestly do not believe are reflective
of our region,” stated Sharleen Sullivan
Community Coordinator for Neighbours, “let
me ask you; do you believe that Abitibians
have no trouble at all getting services in
English from our Health Institutions?”
According to the survey AbitibiTemiscamingue ranked most satisfied (86%)
with availability of service in English in the
province. (even higher than Montreal
Winter Office hours:
Monday to Friday
10:00 am —12:00 pm
1:00 pm—5:00 pm
VOLUME 3, ISSUE 3
West!!!) Neighbours will be looking into this
issue in great detail and will keep you posted
on the matter.
On a different note from the conference it was noted that provincially, including
Rouyn-Noranda, English speaking persons
are not using the INFO-SANTE LINE. Questions were put forth on why this is an issue
across the province. Is it because Anglophones do not believe than can get service
in English over the phone? “According to our
local Regie, you are guaranteed services in
English on the INFO-SANTE Line,” stated
Elsie Sullivan, “when you place your call, if
the attending nurse does not speak English
themselves, they are mandated to transfer
your call to another CLSC center that does
have an English speaking nurse working at
that time.”
If you have used the Info-Sante line
in the past – Neighbours would be interested
in hearing about your experiences.
The Community Health and Social
Services Network (CHSSN) is a network of
57 community organizations, resources, and
public institutions (including Neighbours)
aiming to ensure access to health and social
services in English for Quebec's Englishspeaking communities.
Info-santé
Info santé a Telephone service Line which is
open 24 hours a day to answer your Health
Questions!
762-8144
Volunteering is a great way to
teach children compassion.
It develops character, leadership,
self esteem and a sense
of community!
Page 3
4
A Child’s Pride in Her Country
Memoir Maggie Richmond $50.00 winner
Mommy was happy to receive
“And Canada’s our country!”
that letter from her friend. The address Blink, blink…..blank.
she read to me had her name, our box
At the time, we had just
number, Malartic, Quebec, with some
bought this new atlas of the world
letters and numbers, and Canada.
(which I still have to this day). I was
I knew her name; it’s my mid- really happy to have a reason to be the
dle name. The box number looked the first one to use it. We took it out,
same as the one on the little door she plopped it on the table and had a
opened at the post office. The letters mother-daughter geography lesson.
and numbers, I wasn’t in the least cuShe showed me the speck that
rious about what they were…. Though
represented Malartic. I couldn’t beI found out later that’s what she called
lieve that all those buildings in town
our postal code. (“Whatever that
could fit in that ….dot! There were
was….?)
dots in different spots and in different
Now Malartic, Quebec, Can- coloured drawings.
ada was what I wanted to know about.
“That’s our dot! Our dot’s in
What were they?
the green drawing, mom!”
Mommy said, “Malartic’s our
“That’s Quebec! Our provtown.” I knew what’s a town, we
ince,” she said.
walked there almost everyday when I
That green drawing took up
came home from morning kindergarmost of the right page (the side
ten.
Mommy didn’t wear her wedding
“Quebec’s our province,” she
ring).
said. “Hmmm…. I don’t think that I
She was naming the different
know what that is …?” was something
coloured
drawings. “Provinces,” she
to the effect of what I was thinking.
corrected. They all had names!
Since I had just learned my
ABC’s, B.C. and P.E.I. were the easiest to remember. I pointed to both.
Placing her hand on mine she said,
“Everything between our hands is
Canada! All two pages of it.”
“Wow!... Wow!” I was awed.
Since the atlas was new, we
sat flipping pages and pages and
pages. I was getting bored. Leaning on
the table with my head in my hand,
she showed me different countries on
a map of the world. That’s when she
pointed out Canada again. Most weren’t as big as Canada.
Sitting up, I exclaimed, “And
we’re in Canada!”
I can just picture myself sitting next to my mom, round little face
with chubby cheeks, smiling away.
“Mom, I’m so proud to be in
one of the biggest countries in the
world.”
That’s when the pride I have
for my country, Canada, was born.
Great Horned Owl
Five facts about the great horned owl
• The great horned owl is one of Canada’s most common large birds
of prey, recognizable by its ear tufts or “horns.”
• These owls are found in almost all forested and semi-forested regions of Canada.
• They are year-round residents and never move far from where
they were born.
• Great horned owls eat a wide range of prey including hares, ducks
and geese.
• They swallow small prey whole, regurgitating “pellets” of indigestible teeth and bones.
To find out more about the great horned owl, visit
www.hww.ca.
Page 4
N E I G HB O U R S N E W S L E T T E R
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CBC in PICTURES!!
Some brave souls who came out so early in the morning! (5H30—8H30 am)
Ernie Chartrand—ex-correspondent for CBC
Shannon Lacroix—Student President giving her report !
The Team:
Tim Belford, Nick Gamache, Suzanne Campbell and Karl Vincent
Elsie Sullivan and Time Belford
Page 5
More of the crowd!
N E I G HB O U R S N E W S L E T T E R
6
Neighbours
Health Day
March 19, 2006
Centre des Congres
10:00am to 5:00pm
Speakers
Information Flyers
We ask you to register prior—as lunch will
be served!! Please call the office 762-0882
or a Health Committee Member
Page 6
N E I G HB O U R S N E W S L E T T E R
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Computer Courses!!
Date
Time
Course
Thursday March 9
7:00 – 9:00 pm
Beginners / Refresher Course
Friday March 10
2:00 – 4:00 pm
Beginners / Refresher (if needed)
Friday March 10
7:00 – 9:00 pm
at Neighbours Office
Word
Saturday March 11
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Internet search / Virus protection
Saturday March 11
1:30 – 4:00
Email / Caring for your computer (managing files, cleaning up hard drive, back up etc.)
Limited space is available.
Please register with the office for the courses you are interested in!
$2.00 per course you register to take!
An Interesting Read….
'I've always been drawn to
the shiny surface of pop culture.
When I was a kid I was mesmerized by the 3-D moulded plastic
of franchise signs. I would stare
at them as our station wagon sped
past: Shell, McDonald's, Texaco,
Burger King. If I could climb up
and touch them it would be like
touching something from the
world of TV; smooth, flawless,
cartoon-like. I did once - somebody gave me a Shell key chain
with its very own bright yellow
plastic shell. I was so disappointed. It was just a piece of
junk.'
VOLUME 3, ISSUE 3
No Logo
By: Naomi Klein
* this book has been recommended by COCo; one of
our organizational partners
Forget Generation X and say
hello to Generation Why. Are you
drawn to the shiny surface of pop
culture? Have you ever tried to be
different but yet sung along with a
commercial, bought designer trainers, drunk Coca-Cola or hummed
chart music? If you have, you're one
of us. In a world in which all that is
'alternative' is sold as soon as it appears, where any innovation or subversion is immediately adopted by
un-radical, faceless corporations,
gradually, tentatively, a new - our generation is beginning to fight consumerism with its own best weapons; and the first skirmishes in this
war are what this abrasively intelligent book documents brilliantly.
This is culture jamming.
Page 7
8
Public vs. private health care
Does private health care exist in
Canada today?
Portable.
Universal.
Accessible.
It’s a crucial part of the system.
Canada spent approximately $130 billion on Free from extra charges (for insured serhealth care in 2004.
vices).
Of that, just over $90 billion was spent
By portable, Ottawa means if you
by governments delivering public health
move from one province or territory to ancare. Almost $40 billion was spent on private
other, you won’t lose your coverage. This
health care.
doesn’t mean you can go looking for health
services in another province or country beWhat is public health care?
cause the waiting list at
Depending on who you
home is too long for your likask, it’s either what deing. It does, however, mean
fines Canada – or it’s the
that your out-of-province ingreatest impediment to
laws will be covered if they
ensuring that Canadians
suddenly fall sick while on
get quick access to the
their annual visit.
kind of medical services
they deserve.
Under the universality
In reality, it’s probably
criterion, all insured resisomething in between.
dents of a province or terriPublic health care is governed by the Canada Health Act. It’s designed to make sure that all eligible people in
the country have reasonable access to insured health services on a prepaid basis,
without direct charges at the point of service.
tory must be entitled to the
insured health services provided by the provincial or territorial health care insurance
plan. Doesn’t matter if you’re rich or poor.
You can’t buy your way to the front of the
line.
By accessible, the CHA means
“insured persons in a province or territory
have reasonable access to insured hospital,
medical and surgical-dental services on uniform terms and conditions, unprecluded or
unimpeded, either directly or indirectly, by
charges [user charges or extra-billing] or
other means [e.g., discrimination on the baAmong those conditions are that health care sis of age, health status or financial circummust be:
stances].”
The act is also designed to make sure that
the delivery of health care is pretty consistent across the country. Ottawa has found
that the best way to do that is by attaching
conditions to the cash it transfers to the provinces to cover health care.
Page 8
N E I G HB O U R S N E W S L E T T E R
9
Public vs. private health care (Con’t)
What is private health
care?
may or
may not
be covAnything beyond
ered by
what the public system
health inwill pay for. For instance,
surance.
should you have to spend
Shouldice
some time in the hospital,
Hospital in
the public system will
Toronto
cover the cost of your bed in opened in 1945 – before Caa ward, which usually has
nadians were covered by
three other patients. If you
universal health care. The
want a private room, the ex- hospital remains private totra charge will come out of
day.
your pocket, unless you
have extended health coverSeveral privately-run
age either through your em- clinics have opened across
ployer or through a policy
the country as well, offering
you have bought yourself.
CT scans and MRI services.
Most have contracts with
Need an ambulance
their provincial governments.
ride? Expect to receive a bill. The idea was to take presIf you have extended health sure off the limited recare coverage, your insursources of hospitals. The
ance company will likely pick clinics are paid by the provup the tab.
ince to provide their services.
Dr. Albert
Schumacher, president of
the Canadian Medical Association estimates that 75
per cent of health-care services are delivered privately, but funded publicly.
Other forms of
private health care
There are a few privately-run hospitals in the
country, whose services
VOLUME 3, ISSUE 3
companies. The companies
were allowed to provide 40
hours of testing per machine
per week. Physicians associated with the clinics are
paid on a fee-for-service basis by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan to read the test
results for OHIP-covered patients. While the clinics are
allowed to take private customers after hours, they cannot sell MRI or CT scans to
anyone who walks in off the
street. You have to have a
doctor’s referral.
The clinics operate on
a for-profit basis. The Canadian Health Care Coalition
argues that clinics like these
lay the groundwork for a private, parallel for-profit
health-care system in Canada.
“The proliferation of
investor-owned private, forprofit clinics and facilities
acts like a viral infection in
the body of Canada’s public
health-care system,” the
coalition said in a news release following the September 2004 First Ministers
Conference on health care.
“The for-profit health care
Several clinics opened virus cannot exist without
feeding off and damaging
in Ontario after the former
public bodies.”
Conservative government
signed contracts with four
Page 9
10
Crimson Conclusion—A success in Rouyn-Noranda
The Chateauguay Theatre Project presentation of Crimson Conclusion was a wonderful afternoon of fun and entertainment. Over 60 people partook in the event and a
great time was had by all! Neighbours would like to thank the Department of Canadian Heritage, the Petit Theatre and CVESPA for helping us provide this valuable service in Rouyn-Noranda to the ESC!
Noranda School News
Noranda School is a very active place – besides academics our students are exposed to a wide variety of activities to stimulate them!
Recently the students participated in a ski-day and bowling day, a bus safety course and the Family Literacy Day.
Upcoming activities include:
Student Dance on March 17
Daniel Bernard MNA to visit the History class also on the 17th
Jacques Messier from the CLSC speaking on Elderly Abuse (tentative March 22)
Students will take part in the preparations for Daffodil Day (March 31)
Jump Rope for Heart on April 13 – which will include a leadership development component for the Level 4 Students
Book Fair from April 24 – 28
Graduation on May 19
You Decide!!!
Which Canadian Olympic Winter Hat was better?
2006
2002
Vote by emailing the
office or calling the
office
after business hours and
leaving a message
Page 10
N E I G HB O U R S N E W S L E T T E R
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Gina Kingsbury—Olympic Golden Dream Comes True!!
"To have an
Olympic Gold Medal
around your neck;
its
an
incredible
feeling, it is extraordinary!"
Few players have
as much scoring power,
speed and finesse as the
24-year-old
Kingsbury.
During the 2004-05 campaign, she led the Montreal Axion of the NWHL in
Kingsbury was
goals with 31, total points
obviously and rightwith 60 including three
fully moved during the
shorthanded goals. She
medal ceremonies.
was also a key player on
"It is difficult to
her college team, the St.
express what I feel
Lawrence Saints. Gina
with words. This exceeds all that I was able graduated from St. Lawrence University in
to imagine”
2004
after
majoring
in
Psychology.
Fans of women's hockey have started
to take notice of Coach Melody Davidson's
vision. Davidson has made it very clear that
it's was a time for a changing of the guard.
Several veterans were replaced by younger,
faster, yet less experienced ones and Gina
Kingsbury is one of seven women who made
her Olympic debut at the Winter Games in
Turin.
Looking to Vancouver
On the personal level, Gina would
have liked to produce a little more in Turin,
but "I am nevertheless content with the way
I played,” she affirmed. "I hoped to pile up
more points because I was among the five
best point getters during the year, but I
gained my settings with the game and I
Prior to the 2006 Olympic Gold, Gina worked well in both directions. I do not rehad won five medals with the Canadian gret anything; because the team played well
women's team. Her debut in 2001 at the and I did my share."
World Hockey Championship resulted in a
Gina Kingsbury intends to be part of
gold medal victory. After the disappointing
the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver.
cancellation of the 2003 Beijing World Cham"That will be fantastic to play in front of a
pionship due to the SARS outbreak, Kingsvery Canadian crowd,”. The feeling will be
bury and her team bounced back with anthree times stronger than here!"
other gold medal win in 2004, followed by a
second
place
finish
in
2005.
Kingsbury developed much of her skill On behalf of all Neighbours Members we would
playing with the Canadian U-22 team. She like to Congratulate Gina and the whole Women’s
began playing with them in 1999 and contin- Team on their hard work and reward!!!!
ued to do so until 2003, even after she began her tenure with the women's team in
2001.
Quote of the Month:
“The three Rs – reading, ’riting, and ’rithmetic – are no longer enough. We must
Page 11
N E I G HB O U R S N E W S L E T T E R
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NEIGHBOURS
R E G I O N A L A S S O C I A T I ON OF R OU Y N
-NORANDA
Mailing address: PO Box 2277
Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec
J9X 5A9
Location: 95 8th Street
MISSION STATEMENT
Neighbours Regional Association of Rouyn-Noranda is a volunteer-based organization who believe in a vital future for our community.
We serve the English-speaking population of the Rouyn Noranda area through facilitating information sharing, defending the right of access to service in English and
Telephone: (819) 762-0882
Fax: (819) 762-0883
[email protected]
organizing social and cultural events.
We are committed to strengthening networks within the English and French speaking
population as well as encouraging community development initiatives .
Objectives:
To facilitate information sharing within the ESC of Rouyn Noranda area
To strengthen networks within English-speaking and French speaking community
To defend the rights of our members to access services in English
In partnership with:
To organize social and cultural events
To support community development initiatives
Info-santé
Up-Coming Events
Info santé a Telephone service Line
which is
March 9—11
Computer Courses for
Seniors and Beginners
March 12
Board of Director Strategic Planning
Session with Kevin Saville
March 19
Health Day for all Members!!
open 24 hours a day to answer your
Health Questions!
762-8144
Rouyn-Noranda
Reunion 2006
Ottawa, Ontario September 8,
9, 10 2006
For more information:
www.rouynnorandareunion2006.com
March 23—25
QCGN Meetings in Quebec City
or [email protected]