Jamie Atkinson - 04/10/08

The most important story of the week was the backlash to the hospital cuts that Health Minister George Smitherman mandated earlier this week. Smitherman mandated that there would be no “blank cheque” for the hospitals and plans to release up to 200 employees, mostly nurses, and up to 36 beds between two different Canadian hospitals. Many critics fired back quickly in protest to the firing of nurses, saying that they are a vital part of the hospital and it lessens the quality and effectiveness of a hospital to short staff them. Many were upset that the focus in hospitals has been shifted from patient care to helping drug companies profit. Smitherman responded to these allegations by saying that this is not his preferred method, but the alternative of an unlimited budget would damage the people’s health care program.

This has a high relevance to the people of Toronto and Canada because of the increasing chance of filled and less efficient health care, or the alternative being a rise in taxes to compensate for an unlimited health care budget. It has prominence because it is a government decision that affects the entire population. It has timeliness because it was announced this week and the legislation is currently processing through the Canadian Government. It is also a service because it is bringing to the public’s attention that there are people who oppose this legislation and are working to change it (The Toronto Star, 4/09/08).

The most interesting story this week is a story about the challenges with the Olympics. While the location of the Olympics is a hot bed for controversy, it is making it even more difficult to let the torch run its course. It was doused several times in Paris, even having to take a bus to avoid crowds protesting against the Chinese Government and the Olympics being held within the country. It is interesting because this controversy is growing is becoming a public safety concern. At least one runner has already dropped from the list due to health concerns. The article talks about the difficulties of getting through San Francisco and the success they had. The Chinese committee in charge of the torch managed to get the flame through the city with little to no notice. I think this is interesting because normally when there is an opposition to an Olympic location, it only affects the actually standings of the games, not the route of the torch or the runners safety (The Toronto Star, 4/09/08).

Mississauga sold their utilities for $300 million in order to offset deficit and hope to increase revenue (The Toronto Star, 4/10/08)…Toronto mayor moved to create a ban on hand guns in the area (The Toronto Star, 4/8/08)…Pirates hijack French yacht and keep 30 hostages aboard (The Toronto Star, 4/06/08)…Ontario legislation geared towards raising punishment for animal cruelty (The Toronto Star, 4/04/08)…Chinese government continue to worry about challenges with the torch route (The Toronto Star, 4/09/08).