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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2018 ADVERTORIAL
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Bishop urges early voting as advance polls open Saturday Veteran councillor Sylvia Bishop, a leading contender to win election this year as Delta’s next Mayor, is encouraging Ladner and Tsawwassen voters to take advantage of three advance-voting days scheduled to begin this Saturday. “We expect to see a high voter-turnout in this year’s civic elections,” said Bishop, who first won a seat on Delta council in 2011 and was re-elected in 2014. “Many Tsawwassen and Ladner residents – especially the elderly and those with mobility challenges – might consider voting earlier than usual at an advancepolling station, and thereby avoid the expected rush on the official voting day of October 20.” Advance voting opportunities in Delta are available this year on Saturday, October 6; Wednesday, October 10; and Thursday, October 11.
“It is surprising – and deeply disappointing – to learn how under-served our community is in comparison to other cities across British Columbia,” said Bishop. “My Team Delta colleagues and I are determined to show leadership on this issue when we’re elected to Council.” Fraser Health, according to provincialgovernment statistics, has a dismal 88.3 GPs per 100,000 population, compared to a provincial average of 123.1. On Vancouver Island, there are 157.1 family doctors per 100,000 population. Bishop and Team Delta this summer unveiled An Action Plan for Health-Care, to improve health-services in Tsawwassen, Ladner and North Delta by increasing the number of health-care providers. The ‘Health Action Plan’ includes:
In Tsawwassen, voters may cast their advance ballots at the South Delta Recreation Centre, located at 1720 56 St.
* financial incentives, including student loans and bursaries, for medicalschool students who contract to practice in Delta after graduation;
Ladner residents may vote in the advance poll at Delta City Hall, at 4500 Clarence Taylor Cres.
* attendance by Delta representatives at medical job fairs to recruit physicians looking to re-locate; and
Advance polls are open for 12 hours, starting at 8:00 a.m. and closing at 8:00 p.m.
* recruitment-visit assistance for medical students and graduates who consider moving to Delta.
Also seeking election alongside Bishop on Team Delta are veteran councillor Robert Campbell, and newcomers Simran Walia, Kim Kendall and Dr. Joan Hansen. FAMILY-DOCTOR SHORTAGE AN ELECTION ISSUE Many Tsawwassen and Ladner residents who need and want a family doctor do not have one simply because they live in the Fraser Health Authority region – which has the lowest proportion of generalpractitioner physicians (GPs) per population in B.C.
“Our election-campaign is based on the theme of ‘New Leadership, New Ideas’,” said Bishop. “And my Team Delta colleagues and I intend to take prompt action to improve health-care in our community by actively recruiting physicians and other health-care workers that local residents desperately need.” HEALTH SCHOLARSHIPS FOR DELTA STUDENTS A novel idea devised by Sylvia Bishop and Team Delta to increase the number of
Sylvia Bishop
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health practitioners in our city is a package of scholarships, awards and bursaries for outstanding and accomplished Delta students who wish to pursue a career in medicine or health-care. Called ‘Pathway to Health-Care Careers,’ the scholarships initiative is just one of many components of Team Delta’s Action Plan on Health Care. “Delta’s population is both growing and aging,” explained Bishop, “and it is increasingly evident that our city has an urgent need for additional physicians, nurses and other health-care providers.” That need could be filled by Delta highschool graduates who seek health-related careers in medicine, science or care-giving. Team Delta’s scholarships initiative will help students with tuition and livingexpenses as they study medicine, sciences and health-care, with the belief that recipients may return to their home community
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