Roland Francis wrote: There are other sacred cows held dear in Canada that the government can chip at, only at great risk. One of them is free medical coverage for all permanent residents and citizens. Free is a misnomer since it is funded from tax and other revenues. That is the next frontier of protest. As medical treatment costs, tests and new equipment get more and more expensive, often exponentially, revenues can only push back such costs so much and no more. Taxes cannot be indefinitely increased, although new sources of revenue like the oil sands can help. Another problem is that the authorities seem unable to rein in the human costs. For example a family doctor in urban practice earns no less than $300,000 to $400,000 per year which to any average person seems excessive and unnecessary. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Roland, A medical professional in Canada earns less than his counterpart in the US or the UK. Medical professionals are highly mobile. If you want them to remain in Canada, they have to receive decent wages and/or research facilities. Secondly, I want to be treated by a professional who earns a decent wage and not by someone who needs a second income from the drug manufactures in order to make ends meet. Thirdly, I believe everyone who earns $300,000 to $400,000 a year richly deserves that income. The people who make that kind of money had to overcome a lot of barriers to reach there. In the case of medical professionals, the barriers are usually in the form of training and examinations. 01Mervyn
