Opinion

Dancing around the issue

Ontario's premier Dalton McGuinty is such a kidder. In a recent address to the province's nurses, he took oxymoronic speech to new heights by mentioning "creativity" and "Canada Health Act" in the same breath. His speech, we are told, was enthusiastically received.

The Canada Health Act ensures our continuing membership in Canada's healthcare club � a club so exclusive that it forbids the establishment of parallel private and public hospitals and clinics.

Despite this, Premier McGuinty is urging provincial governments to exercise creativity � "within the boundaries of the Canada Health Act," of course. I am assailed by images of the cast of Swan Lake, performing in manacles and straitjackets.

� Dr Anthony Rockel
St John's, Newfoundland