Canadian, Cuba

Letter to BC Premier

| by Ron Brydges

January 19, 2024

Dear Premier David Eby,

We, as members of the Canadian Cuban Friendship Association (CCFA) Niagara, are aware of and pleased with your incredible public support as premier of our west coast province. We are aware of the challenges you face, along with all other premiers, in delivering quality healthcare to the people of British Columbia and the challenges you face in acquiring the necessary qualified health care workers. We want to offer a suggestion that, if not already considered, could help.

As you are likely aware, Cuba, with their excellent education system, graduates medical personnel surplus to their domestic needs and for the past sixty years has sent medical brigades around the world saving hundreds of thousands of lives. This is part of the internationalism for which Cuba is renowned.

At a recent executive meeting the three attached resolutions were passed. You will note that they are directed at the federal government but health care is also a provincial responsibility which must allow for provincial initiatives.

You are also aware that Cuba has been under U.S. sanctions/embargo/blockade for over sixty years and there are difficulties in undertaking commerce with Cuba. Still, we are hoping your government will be receptive to our resolutions attached hereto, which would be a ground breaker and a win-win for the Canadian and Cuban people. We know that Cuba is willing to share their expertise in setting up a public health system of universal care and providing health care services where most needed. We urge you to explore the possibilities with appropriate Cuban authorities as to what might be available through Cuba to Canadians to help address not only the health care crisis in British Columbia but also to serve as a model for other areas in need throughout our country.

Please let us know your position on these issues and if there is any way we can help in facilitating this project, please do not hesitate to contact any of us.

Sincerely yours,

Dave Thomas Sr., Chair, Canadian Cuban Friendship Association (CCFA) Niagara                                   1760 Ridge Road North, Ridgeway, ON, L0S  1N0                                                                                                Email: info@ccfaniagara.ca

Ron Brydges, member, Canadian Cuban Friendship Association (CCFA) Niagara                                          23 Almond St., St. Catharines, ON L2T 1G2                                                                                                              Email: gardcity@outlook.com; tel. #: 905 227 6432

Lsa Makarchuk, member, Canadian Cuban Friendship Association (CCFA) Niagara                                    33 Harbour Square, Ste. #:409, Toronto, ON M5J 2G2                                                                                        Email: lisamakarchuk@sympatico.ca; tel.#: 416 603 9858

 

Encl.: Two Resolutions passed January 2, 2024, by the Canadian Cuban Friendship Association (CCFA) Niagara on Covid vaccines, pharmaceutical vaccines and health personnel

 

 

Author: Ron Brydges

Born on Vancouver Island and raised as a child in Prince Rupert and as a teenager in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Graduated, not without struggle, from Central Collegiate High School. Got my first post graduate job at a steel and pipe mill in Regina, Returned to B.C. and worked in a fabrication shop, a consulting firm, a northern mine and then went east and lived and worked in Toronto for a machinery manufacturer. Moved to St. Catharines where i worked on contract for GM. Was discharged at 62 and took up writing. Now divorced with two daughters and four grandchildren. There was a life between these lines and some of it will come out in my blogs.