SHARING THE ROAD
As a regular bike commuter, the death of a fellow cyclist on May 16th at the corner of Elgin and Laurier was unnerving. I had gone through that same intersection four times the day before on my bike as I commuted back and forth to Bay Ward. I have generally found bike lanes helpful. I have felt more nervous on streets with cars parked along the side and no bike lanes, because I am forced to share a lane with cars. Some drivers don’t understand that if I ride too close to a parked car, I put myself at risk of dooring. I do not want to view my mode of transportation as risky.
As a 30 year bike commuter I have been fortunate enough to have designated bike paths. Since our spring flood, I have had to ride on the road next to cars. For the most part, cars and bikes get along. I am driver too, and given my current responsibilities I have had to use my car quite often. Despite the risks, I would rather bike for a multitude of reasons. I believe the real solution is to give cyclists and drivers their own space with separate lanes. I plan to work towards complete streets in our city. I will collaborate with my colleagues and city staff in order to make our streets safer for all.
THE 2% SOLUTION
I am a big fan of ensuring that public money is spent wisely. When I see tax dollars being treated as an investment in our community’s well being, I like to talk about it. Public health is an investment in our community. The city saves money by providing public health services to the residents. Being proactive is better than being reactive.
As a new city councillor, I was given the opportunity to sit on the Ottawa Board of Health. I was thrilled to be part of an agency whose goal is to make this city healthier. I am proud to be part of an organization that saves the health system money. The Ottawa Public Health Board encourages us to live healthy and avoid diseases, infections, and accidents. I cannot fathom how anyone could make even a slight reduction in programs that prevent expensive and heartbreaking health related misfortunes.
The recent announcement by the provincial government to pare down public health to 10 regional boards across the province from the current 35 is worrisome. This means a cut of $200 million annually or more across the province. Preventive programs are being targeted. The cost sharing formula with municipalities will go from 75:25 to 60:40. What is being labelled as provincial budget efficiencies is an attempt to download costs to municipalities who will have to either cut services or raise property taxes.
As a former School Board Trustee (Ottawa Carleton District School Board) for eight years, I always considered the Ottawa Board of Health as a partner in ensuring the health and well-being of students and beyond. This is a positive relationship that ensures children are vaccinated and educated about the importance of dental and other important hygiene habits for their well-being. Adolescents face more complicated health challenges; including, mental health and even suicidal thoughts. Do we really want to see this valuable resource diminished? How much is our children’s well-being worth? Let’s think about the cost of not doing these prevention programs. A reduction in monitoring programs (like vaccinations for measles) can permanently harm growing children. How about more accidents because children were not encouraged to stay safe while cycling or not visiting the public health nurse to a young first time mother. Does cutting programs like these save money?
The Public Health Care budget is about 2% of the overall health care budget. Spending money on dealing with alcoholism is cheaper that hospitalizing someone who did not get the help they needed; chronic diseases related to smoking cost a heck of a lot more than the programs to discourage youth from picking up a debilitating addictive habit.
A Public Health Agency gives us up-to-date information on health related information. I like to think of myself as well informed but I need a local agency that brings me health related information that is specific to our community. We need to know what is out there and what is a particular threat (such as a bad flu strain). Public health is about getting good local and relevant information from a reliable source. This is priceless.
Ottawa Public Health also keeps our community safe from harm by doing such important tasks such as inspecting restaurants for food quality and not to forget to mention – our water. Do we really want to see this service reduced? It literally saves lives. In addition, we also need to hear about recalls on a product that can bring harm to you and your family if you eat it. What is health prevention worth to you? The truth is you are being protected right now – every day – and it works. Keeping health tragedies out of our lives is the work of Ottawa Public Health. It’s the 2% solution that keeps us from health harm’s way.