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SPICE
Fake pot’s high is real – and so are the risks Special report, 3
FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 2010
❚HEALTH CARE
What’s On
PARTY ON!
Surrey’s place to be if you’re celebrating being Canadian Page 19 ❚SURREY
Watts up for World Mayor
A DOCTOR FOR EVERY FAMILY BY 2015: FALCON Province’s $137-million plan aims to make health care more accessible; B.C. Medical Association president says move is ‘another important step’
Ted COLLEY
Staff Reporter
Hollywood gave us Team America: World Police. Now City Mayors presents Dianne Watts: World Mayor? Watts has been shortlisted for the 2010 World Mayor competition, an international contest intended to honour mayors who have “served their communities well and who have contributed to the well being of cities nationally and internationally.” Watts is one of 25 shortlist candidates from five continents and one of just four North American mayors included in this year’s competition. Those on the short list were chosen from among 840 nominees. Calgary’s Mayor Dave Bronconnier is also a runner. The contest is run by City Mayors, a non-profit organization of professionals dedicated to the promotion of strong, prosperous cities and good local government. “It is certainly an honour to be DIANNE WATTS representing Canada along with David Bronconnier, the mayor of Calgary, for whom I have great respect,” Watts said. “I have to say that, even though my name is on this, you never get there on your own. I certainly have a good council and our city staff is excellent, very flexible and innovative.” Watts said Surrey’s rapid growth over the past years presents problems that have to be overcome to accommodate an expanding population, but also offers tremendous opportunities for those willing and able to seize them. For more information and to cast a ballot, visit www.worldmayor.com. tcolley@thenownewspaper.com
B.C. Health Minister Kevin Falcon announces a $137-million plan to improve primary health care in B.C. ❚PHOTO/Brian Howell Falcon made the announcement on Thursday in White Rock. Ted COLLEY Staff Reporter
WHITE ROCK – In a variation on the chicken-in-every-pot political promise, Health Minister Kevin Falcon announced Thursday a new program aimed at guaranteeing a doctor for every B.C. family by 2015. Falcon made the announcement in White Rock and said the province will spend $137 million to improve primary health care in B.C. He
said the province is working with health authorities, the B.C. Medical Association and other professional groups to improve primary care delivery. Along with providing enough family doctors to go around, Falcon said the plan will create teams of doctors, specialists, nurses, pharmacists and other professionals to provide better care for patients with chronic diseases, seniors and others with complex medical needs.
Falcon said, by making sure everyone has a family doctor who is familiar with their medical history, patient health can be improved and costs to the health-care system reduced. “This shift will change the patient’s journey through the health system and streamline care so patients receive consistent and appropriate care through their family doctor over a lifetime,” the minister said.
see HEALTH PLAN page 14