Helping seniors

Apr 15, 2015

In the 1930s the reeve of the rural municipality of McKillop #220 in Saskatchewan was worried that the citizens of his municipality couldn't afford healthcare. Somehow in the midst of the depression Reeve Anderson and his council managed to find enough money in the municipal budget to hire a doctor. The doctor worked on salary for the municipality, cared for all residents of McKillop #220, and was able to refer patients for funded specialist care when necessary. Other municipalities adopted the idea and hired municipal doctors under a similar scheme. In the 60s the province of Saskatchewan instituted a provincial healthcare program and eventually Canada did the same thing nationwide, resulting in our universal health care program.

This week my husband, Paul Isaacs, appeared at Addington Highlands council for the second time to ask what council could do for seniors who are struggling to survive financially in the face of rising costs and fixed incomes. Mr. Isaacs supplied a written submission outlining his request, along with a typical monthly budget given to him by a struggling senior. Would council look at the larger issue of seniors and as their elected representatives provide some vision and advocacy? Regrettably council as a whole had little to say. One councillor read out a laundry list of how council helps seniors: for example, by allowing seniors a free or reduced rate for seniors' events in the community hall. Another councillor suggested that Mr. Isaacs approach Community Services, rather than speak to council. A third councillor commented that council has no money.

I guess it was too much to hope that the Addington Highlands council would have the exceptional wisdom, vision and courage of the Municipality of McKillop #220. That council bravely provided what was then a very radical solution in the midst of the desperate economic conditions of the southern Saskatchewan dust bowl. That council certainly set a precedent for bigger actions and better representation by municipal councils.

While it's nice that seniors can have the hall for a reduced rate or no charge at all, that isn't the issue. What happens when seniors run out of money for food before the end of the month or can't pay the monthly hydro bill? The Addington Highlands council appeared to be somewhat insulted that Mr. Isaacs would ask them for help for some of its most vulnerable citizens. They seemed oblivious to the larger issues for seniors. Ah, Reeve Anderson and the councillors of McKillop # 220 - would that you were here now and what would you have done?

Dianne Isaacs