Opinion

VIEWPOINT

GOVERNMENT ALBAS: Frustration over delays

Last week Prime Minister Trudeau finally announced his new cabinet, after waiting over one month since the September DAN ALBAS election. VIEW FROM

The THE HILL new cabinet announced by PM Trudeau is significantly larger with 39 members, one under 40 members, the largest that was appointed by Prime Minister Harper in 2015.

For contrast, the first cabinet announced by Prime Minister Harper in 2006 was just 26 members, likewise Prime Minister Trudeau’s first cabinet announced in 2015 was 31 members.

Unfortunately, we still must wait until November 22nd, 2021 before Prime Minister Trudeau recalls Parliament.

On a personal note, I am frustrated by the long wait for Parliament to return.

One reason for this relates to the expiry of Canada’s pandemic response benefit programs that occurred on October 23rd.

By now you have likely heard that the government will not be renewing these programs as they previously existed, but instead have announced new assistance programs that will be more targeted.

For the record I fully support the stated goal of the Liberal government in this regard, however I believe this same principle should apply to Parliament and getting MPs back to work in Ottawa as well.

As is often the case with Government programs reading the fine print is always the key to ensuring they are working as intended.

In this case the details of many of these programs require clarification and proper Parliamentary scrutiny and oversight is an important part of this process.

Earthwalker Spiritual Shop at 2090 Granite Ave. hosted an adult colouring contest. Jen Timmer took first place and was given her choice of prize, opting for jewelry handmade by Earthwalker owner, Renee Henry.

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MERRITT HERALD

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OPINION

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LETTERS to the editor Platinum Jubilee plans lacking

Editor,

In less than 2 months, the Queen will be celebrating her 70th year on the throne. It also means that she will have presided as our head of state for nearly half of the history of this country. Whether one is a Monarchist or Republican, this achievement is without precedent and calls for appropriate celebrations. While there are plenty of plans afoot in Britain and other Commonwealth countries, we in BC have not heard anything from Ottawa, Victoria or our local municipal / regional governments.

After almost two years, of Covid, the Jubilee offers the opportunity to recognize not only the extraordinary sense of duty and service of the Queen to Canada, but also can recognize the service and sacrifice made by so many Canadians. Canadians have a long history of coming together to celebrate our communities and each other and the celebrations might include our indigenous peoples, new Canadians, live local celebrity performances, a parade, community block parties and luncheons, tree plantings and more.

School curriculums should include the role of Her Majesty as Queen of Canada.

As we emerge from almost two years of Covid, the Platinum Jubilee celebrations should be able to lighten the mood and remind all British Columbians of our home and heritage.

There will not be another Jubilee in this Reign. Let’s do the right thing.

Derek Hall Vernon, BC

War amputee veterans established 100-year legacy

Of the thousands of Canadian soldiers who were wounded while serving in the First and Second World Wars, many returned home missing limbs. United by a common bond of amputation, these veterans not only served their country during wartime, but they made a difference in the lives of generations of amputees that continues today.

In 1916, on the battlefields at Ypres in Northern Belgium, Sidney Lambert (1887 – 1971), a Lieutenant Colonel and Army Padre, lost his left leg above the knee.

While recovering at a hospital in Toronto, Lambert conceived of the idea of a national association to bring together, support and fight the battles for amputee veterans, today known as The War Amps. In 1920, he became the first Dominion President of the Association and worked tirelessly to bring veterans issues before the government.

It was these First World War amputee veterans, like Lambert, who welcomed the new contingent of amputee veterans following the Second World War, helping them adapt to their new reality and sharing all that they had learned.

One of these was Neil Conner (1918 – 2012) who served as a navigator with the Royal Canadian Air Force. He was injured when his plane was shot down near Bremen, Germany, resulting in the loss of his right leg below the knee.

Another was Bert Coulson (1921 – 1979) who served with the Canadian Army and lost both of his legs below the knee due to injuries sustained while serving in Emmerich, Germany.

Along with their fellow War Amps members, these veterans went on to provide support to civilian amputees. Coulson said the best way to help was to “roll up my pant leg and show them we can dance, bowl, hold down a normal job. It’s what you have left that counts.”

CONTRIBUTED

The War Amps veteran members established the Key Tag Service, which is still going strong today, to fund the Association’s many vital programs for amputees across Canada.

Rob Larman, a Director at The War Amps and a leg amputee himself, said Mr. Lambert, Conner and Coulson proved that they would not let their amputation hold them back in all aspects of life.

“Though they considered themselves to be ‘ordinary guys,’ our founding veteran members have left a legacy for generations of amputees that has gone on for 100 years and counting,” said Larman. “On Remembrance Day especially, but also throughout the year, we pay tribute to their sacrifice and service.”

(L-R): Sidney Lambert, Neil Conner and Bert Coulson. From the Herald archives: Nov., 1918

TROOPS RETURNING HOME

Demobilization is proceeding in Canada in each of the military districts at the rate of 100200 per day.

Ten thousand men are returning to Canada this month from overseas. Meanwhile, some 100,000 Canadian troops will proceed to the German border where they will occupy certain portions of the territory east of the Rhine. 3,500 men are expected to return next month on hospital ships.

At Vancouver, it is expected that Hastings Park will be cleared of all soldiers by Dec. 15.

LETTERS POLICY

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