Rona Ambrose starts her new tenure as federal health minister today and Alberta politicians and bureaucrats should be watching her every move. Ambrose has the exciting opportunity of being a wonderful role model. The timing, for Alberta, could’t be be better. To say Alberta’s health system is on shaky ground right now is putting it mildly — and is in need of someone showing them the way. Ambrose can do that.
The Spruce Grove MP was a part of prime minister Stephen Harper’s cabinet shuffle Monday and was appointed health minister. The portfolio is, indeed, a challenging one given the aging population and making sure there are enough resources to go around without taking health services away from anyone. It requires a plan, but it also takes even more compassion. And that’s where the Alberta government and Alberta Health Services failed: the recent home care changes were done, by and large, without any consultation with users. That wasn’t fair.
Because Ambrose is from Alberta, she can have an impact — even though she has federal jurisdiction. Her initiatives can be shared provincially. This is not to say, by any means, Ambrose is a shoe-in as someone who will go down in history as a champion for government run health care. But she has a chance. And on this Alberta morning, with a very fragile health system, perhaps that is reason enough to be optimistic.
He huffed and
puffed, Kavis Reed did, during his post-game press conference Saturday, and
blew the assembled media down. (Look at the end of the post and you will see
yourself.) The Edmonton Eskimos dismal performance Saturday night against the
B.C. Lions — a 17-3 loss — is another sign the once mighty Canadian Football
League team is in a deep slide. And maybe that’s the reason I am cannot get
very excited about the Esks these days.
Penalties. They
were a huge reason why the Eskimos lost their second consecutive home game of
the season. Eleven penalties for 103 yards. One hundred and three yards. Isn’t
that more than the entire length of the football field? From unnecessary
roughness infractions to roughing the passer, a somewhat disturbing trend is
unfolding. In three games the Eskimos have been penalized 41 times
for 330 yards. No gold stars here.
Rick LeLacheur
Forget lack of
discipline. It’s lack of respect, period. It’s a football team out of control
with — for whatever reason — arrogance. But for what? Winning the Grey Cup last
year? Nope. Not even posting a winning record last year with a 7-11 showing.
Ever since Rick LeLacheur retired as president, I have felt a disconnect
between the front office and the fans. Look at the number of good, qualified
people who left the organization. Long-time vice-president of communications
Dave Jamieson left the team just two weeks into the season last year. Trouble
in paradise? Absolutely. Somewhere down the road the Eskimos have forgotten how
well their grass-roots foundation of the franchise worked. The arrogance of the
front office has spread on to the field. Kavis Reed has the daunting task of
cleaning it all up — something, clearly, he should not have to do.
Brad Bartok is probably still smiling this morning — and so he should. Brad has an on-line radio show every Sunday evening for an hour and last night he conducted a very smart 18-minute interview with Edmonton Oiler GM Craig MacTavish. Pretty darn impressive for the Spruce Grove son who attended NAIT’s Radio and Television Arts program.
Craig MacTavis
But here’s what really impresses me about Brad: he isn’t just sitting in front of his computer and turning on the microphone. He’s out there making contacts. Brad went out to Oiler development camp last week in Sherwood Park and introduced himself to MacTavish. He told MacT about the show and arranged the interview. Brad asked some of the hard questions: how do you start a trade, what was it like trading Shawn Horcoff to the Dallas Stars, and is he planning to move Ales Hemsky.
I first met Brad several years ago and was inspired by his motivation. He has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair. But his knowledge of sports and keen mind — and a great wit — is painting him a bright, bright future. He’s already closing in on 100 radio shows giving him reason to smile even more.
Music has always been a big part of my life. My dad couldn't read a note of music but was a great clarinet player. Mom taught piano. I never played an instrument; yet music inspires me: I always have music on when I write.
I remember sitting around my eight-track tape deck and inviting friends over to listen to a new song. For me, it was a great way of sharing.
So welcome to Tait's Eight@8: eight of my all-time favourites from my music collection.
Enjoy!
The keyboard sounds of Supertramp are legendary. I especially love the drums and the fine piano work in Child of Vision from the Breakfast in America album released in 1979.
Seldom does a song intro pull me in like Tumbling Dice from the Rolling Stones. I just love the first 10 seconds of the 1972 song about a gambler and women trouble. And good for Canada: Tumbling Dice was first performed Live by the Stones June 3, 1972 at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver.
Motown, Motown, Motown. I love Motown: especially the the beats. Come See About me was released in 1964 by Diana Ross and the Supremes and always gets my feet tapping.
A music collection without Van Morrison just doesn't seem complete. He is one one my favorites. Did Ye Get Healed was released in 1987. This video shows has talented Morrison is, singing and playing the alto sax.
"You can't start a fire without a spark" has always stayed with me since I first heard Bruce Springsteen's Dancing in the Dark in 1984. It's a good reminder ... and a great song on the dance floor.
I love drums. I can really feel them in Dreams by Fleetwood Mac — from the very first beat. Dreams came out the same time I graduated from high school, 1977. The name of the song has always reminded me to follow my ...
We all need those songs when we just need to sit and think. Guitarist Will Ackerman does that for me time and time with Floyd's Ghost. Listen how the guitar and piano are simply magic.
I had no idea who Yanni was until I saw him on television in1990. I bought his CD, Reflection of Passion, and fell in love with The Rain Must Fall. It's one of those listen-by-yourself-songs, but can motivate.
I am a healthcare worker whose company was granted a contract recently by Alberta Health Services. But we were taken out of the area where I have worked in for six years. I have worked in a facility for three years. Now we are being moved out and another agency has been brought in. The senior citizens I have taken care of will now new caregivers. Not just one. All of us are being taken out.
Senior citizens have not had a say, and their objections are falling on deaf ears. This move is devastating to all involved. No one ever asked these folks if they wanted to give up the caregivers who have been such a large part of their lives.
Cutting our hours, or rather cutting the time we are allowed to spend with each individual, is going to spell disaster. Yes we give meds, do personal care of all kinds, and these tasks may not require a lot of time. But what about listening to them? As healthcare aids we give them a voice when they think no one cares, and take the time to really hear what they fear.
Shame on this government for making me feel that what I do is only based dollars and cents. And shame on this government for making Alberta senior citizens — the most special of people in our society — feel that they are not worth the dollars and cents to continue providing the care they deserve.
When I was a teenager in the early 1970’s I loved listening to the radio more than watching television. I found my imagination could go to places I didn’t even know existed. Living in Edmonton, the AM giant was 630 CHED and I listened to it whenever I could. Heck, I even snuck my transistor radio under my pillow and listened to it when my parents thought I was fast asleep.
The announcers brought everything to life: Wes Montgomery, Al Anderson, Don Kay, Bob McCord, Bruce Bowie, Len Truenesen, Chuck Chandler, Billy Williams, Keith James and so many more. It is still a great thrill today have them as good, personal friends. Take current CHED morning man Bruce Bowie — who is like a brother to me. We met in 1976 and our friendship keeps growing. Then, there was Eddie Keen, the former Edmonton Journal reporter who wrote editorials for CHED. I started listening to Eddie when I was 13 and he inspired me to be a newspaper reporter.
This Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m at Northlands CHED is broadcasting like they did in the 1970’s when many people in Edmonton listened. They’re calling it Retro Days and we might hear such things as …
“Right now in downtown Edmonton it’s (temperature) C. H. E. Degrees.”
In all the stories I have read, watched and listened to about Alberta’s home care cuts, I have yet to hear a question silently echoing in the back of my mind. And with health minister Fred Horne announcing Tuesday that he isn’t going to reverse Alberta Health Services’ decision to change home care providers for senior citizens in Alberta, I think the time has come to ask it: who is going to make a buck over these decisions? Who is it? And why are Albertans who are senior citizens and who have physical disabilities going through hell so someone’s bank account is padded?
AHS announced in June the number of home care providers will be reduced from 72 to 13. Large corporations such as Rivera and We Care — just to name a few — were awarded contracts when many local, including non-profits, we told “thanks, but no thanks.” I have cerebral palsy and use home care. I am part of a self-directed program and we were told in February of changes. We were also told we had to submit a proposal for funding, despite successfully running the program since 1997. And here’s the kicker: we were warned if we went to the media or contacted MLA’s our proposal could very well be disqualified. In the end, we didn’t get our funding but shared our story. Just over two weeks later AHS reversed their decision on our program and two others in Edmonton.
I can’t help but thinking this was in the works for month. Deals were made. Contracts were signed. It would be very interesting to know who made these deals and what connection they had with the successful bidders over so many long standing providers. We may never know. But by the Gods of War: the question needs to be asked.
Alberta Health Services a provincial health minister Fred Horne really should be ashamed of themselves. Horne spoke to the media Tuesday and said he has no plans of reversing changes to home care for senior citizens. Horne says he’s facing a time-crunch. Well, Mr. Horne: make more time. Because what you are doing to the very cornerstone of this province is most disrespectful.
Home care touches me personally. I have cerebral palsy and rely on home care so I can be a member of society. When AHS announced in June they were making sweeping changes — including eliminating the self-directed program I use — we bluntly told them “no.” We started a campaign on social media and mainstream media … and we won. Three self-directed contracts were reversed. If AHS and the government did it for us, why can’t they afford the same logical way of thinking for senior citizens? What kind of an example is this for our young people in regards to respecting seniors?
Sadly, I think, this comes down to disrespect from the government. The very fact senior citizens were not consulted about changes to their care doesn’t show much respect. Seniors in Alberta needing home care are being steamrolled. What a disgraceful way to treat Alberta pioneers. They deserve to be honored for all the work they have done by getting the proper care in their golden years. That’s a way to honor them. And Mr. Horne and AHS need to re-think this. Because this is wrong.
Please email me your comments by CLICKING HERE. We need to circle the wagons again — and make absolutely certain senior citizens in Albertans are respected the way they should.
I ask you bear with me this morning. Because I try to make Cam ‘n Eggs upbeat, positive and motivational to get your day headed on a good start. Today, however, I cannot. Because I have concerns and several questions of how something so violent and so brazen could happen to a senior citizen in Edmonton — someone who could have been a teacher, a school bus driver, an engineer or who could have been countless other things, and someone who help build this city, this province and this happen.
How? How could an 86-year-old man was working his back yard, police believe, and was robbed and beaten? How could something happen in the bright daylight of 11 a.m. Tuesday? Clearly, there are no clear answers — and perhaps the mystery of such an attack ignites even more questions.
It is indeed interesting sociological study if we consider the world’s population is getting bigger and bigger, and rather than working with one another to help out, often, the exact opposite happens. More to the point, though, we have to ask ourselves where mutual respect has gone? Specifically, in past generations “respecting your elders” was as common as liking something on Facebook, but now that respect for our seniors — and, in fact, each other — is clearly lacking. Perhaps we can challenge ourselves to be better. Maybe, just maybe, we can start the day off with such a thought. (CLICK HERE FOR THE EDMONTON JOURNAL NEWS STORY) TEXT TAIT HERE
I PUT MY head outside the door of St. Joseph’s Basilica Monday just after 3 p.m after attending the funeral for Paul Lorieau. It was raining hard, and then there was a tremendous roar of thunder from the heavens, giving us a good sign: Paul had just cleared his throat before starting to sing one of his favorite songs for a performance in heaven.
Paul was perhaps best known for singing the national anthems at Edmonton Oiler games, and it was evident Monday: several people in the jammed-packed church had Oiler jerseys. I could see how Paul touched so many lives: hockey fans, politicians such as former speaker of the Alberta legislature Ken Kowalski who said he always looked forward to Paul singing O’Canada when the house was sitting, and members of the media who always got a hearty hello from Paul in the press box.
He left us far too young at 71 when cancer took him. But the stories shared at his funeral echoed the wonderful, caring man he was who, until two weeks before his death, delivered food to Hope Mission. He was also a very committed family man. And, of course, there was music — beautiful music — from his family members in the choir and the spine-tingling piano playing from Henri Lorieau. In the end, we sang O’Canada at the end of the service without instruments, a most fitting tribute. You taught us well, my friend; you taught us well.
Sometime Sunday afternoon — perhaps around 4 p.m. — summer officially began for Craig Styles and Andy Wigston. That’s when the ice is finally cleaned at the West Edmonton Mall Ice Palace, the dressing rooms doors are closed for the last time, goodbye handshakes and hugs are exchanged, and — with one last look to make sure everything is just right — Styles and Wigston left the mall. And then their summer vacation begins. It has happened every Sunday in July for the two men since 1989. If Styles and Wigston have their way the tradition will carry on for many years to come.
Craig Styles in the middle with the red shirt
Styles is tournament chair of the Brick Invitational Super Novice Hockey Tournament. Wigston is the tournament’s director. Both employees of The Brick — Wigston is retired and Styles is vice-president of real estate — and were part of the planning process 24 years ago when Brick founder Bill Comrie wanted to start a tournament for nine and 10-year-olds. Styles and Wigston answered the bell. They have managed to produce, year after year, one of the best tournaments in North America. This year they had 14 teams playing with the Toronto Bulldogs winning Sunday’s final 3-1 over the B.C. Junior Canucks.
Andy Wigston
The tournament has seen many players go on to the National Hockey League, semi-pro and university and college hockey. Styles and Wigston are hoping many of the tournament’s alumni return next year for the 25th anniversary tournament. Styles said last week plans are in the works now for the 2014 edition. But I hope Styles and Wigston really don’t start thinking about that until, maybe, next Monday. Because after 18-hour days, countless games, attending to thousands of details, they certainly deserve a break. Well done, gentlemen.
If Edmonton Eskimo head coach Kavis Reed likes pressure, he probably can’t wait for today’s game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Because all eyes will be on Reed — and the entire Eskimo organization. He has always been a gentleman to me over the years and he is a gem of a human being. I want to see him succeed. And so, apparently, do the Eskimos.
...Kavis Reed
Reed, in the final year of a three-year deal, was given an extension to his contract Saturday and the timing seems a bit odd. The Eskimos opened the season with a 39-18 loss against the Saskatchewan Roughriders, and they did not look good: not only did they lack offence, they seemed disorganized, and took several selfish penalties. Perhaps the most noticeable was when the Eskimos lined up the wrong way. Coaching? You decide.
Reed is an intense coach and wears his heart on his sleeve. He also loves a challenge, and maybe that’s the card Esks’ GM Ed Hervey is playing with the contract extension. You might not expect such a carrot would dangle after last
...Ed Hervey
week’s performance. Then again professional sports teams do whatever they have to to win. We’ll find out later today if the latest Eskimo gamble will pay off. It’s a huge wager placed: this could make or break the Edmonton Eskimos, both on and off the field.
Reporters are lucky people. Because we get
to see the real, human side of people: up close and personal. While thousands
see and hear someone from afar or on television, we get to have interactions
with stars. In some cases, we even get to have dinner with them. And those are
the thoughts I am having now when I think of the passing of Paul Lorieau.
Mr. Lorieau will be known best for his
thundering renditions of O’Canada at Edmonton Oiler games. He always had time
to say hello — whether it be on the way to sing on centre ice or on his way out
of the building. When I was writing a column for the sports department of the
Edmonton Journal in 2006, I saw what class Mr. Lorieau had. I wrote my column during
the Stanley Cup playoffs from the media dining room at Rexall Place and tried
to file it at the end of the first period.
Mr. Lorieau came up for dinner after he sang
O Canada. When I was finished writing I often asked if I could join him for a
cup of coffee and piece of pie as he was finishing dinner. I have cerebral
palsy and use a wheelchair so when I approached his table I was sitting down.
Mr. Lorieau always stood up to greet me and gave me a firm but warm handshake.
We would talk about many things, especially family, before leaving the dining
room for second period action.
A true gentleman with endless class is how I
will always remember Paul Lorieau. My job as a reporter afforded me to see
that. As a person I was so lucky to have shared time with him.
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