At Our Club Tuesday March 16, 2021

 

President Krysta Logozzo Daniele welcomed a full house of 47 (maybe more), including distinguished guests from the health care sector (President and CEO Dr. Rhonda CrockerEllacott and Glenn Craig from TBRHSC, President and  CEO Tracey Buckler from St.Joseph’s Care Group), social services (Joanne Kemball), our energetic Rotoracters (Mal Balachandran, Andraya Colistro, Catherine Kibiuk), and of course our special guest the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Health and her team including Jacqueline Dyck and Paul Field. Out of town guest from Kent County, Rotarian  Jack Rigby (guest of Bill Everitt) was back, and of course Maria Hudolin (B.C. and former PA Rotarian and ADG -5580 District).

There were also several other guests that were unfortunately missed in introductions (our apologies).

 

Hosts today on Zoom: John Stephenson and Kevin Holloway.

Kevin played a fine O Canada featuring multicultural Canadian performers.

Krysta acknowledged our presence on Fort William First Nation territory.

Our distinguished guest, returning to the club with a very extensive update was the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Health ( MP for Thunder Bay- Superior North). She was introduced by Dr. Paul DeBakker, highlighting her extensive pre-politics background and expertise in the field of harm prevention, homelessness and substance misuse prevention: (members are aware of her prior position as ED of Rotary Shelter House).

 

Minister Hajdu was warmly greeted by members and in return thanked PA Rotary for its good work.

 

Admitting she became immersed in a “tumultuous “role with Covid 19, she reminded us of her work prior and ongoing with issues like Pharmacare, Primary care and the Opioid Crisis, and has been quite able to rise to the challenge.

 

The  constant refrain outstanding in her mission is that of addressing the many costs of inequality and systemic exclusion in our country. It is bad for us all and the cost of doing nothing is enormous.

Her government did well in quickly supporting the needed economic supports for the vulnerable, and early on. The current huge health portfolio is in good hands with light at the end of the tunnel albeit along with uncertainty.

 

A very robust Q&A period tackled, succinctly, many issues. Highlights included: an overview of the mechanism of transfer of supplies, vaccine, monies etc. from federal to provincial hands along with distribution challenges; coping with negativity on Facebook and other social media platforms (more than just coming with the territory, it involves a balance between acceptable free speech and that beyond the pale); vaccination “passport” or “certification” schemes; what Rotarians, including docs et al can do to assist including being pro-immunization advocates; the Astra Zeneca controversy (consensus in Canada, our regulators are top notch, the vaccine is safe); the Canada -US border issues.

 

Dr Crocker Ellacott and Tracey Buckler both obliged us on updates from their vantage points...much appreciated..

 

Thank yous equivalent to heartfelt tributes to Minister Hajdu came from President Krysta and Past President Laurie Tulloch. We are certainly blessed to have her skilled presence working on our behalf.

 

 

See President Krysta’s communique from yesterday re upcoming events and links summarized below:

 

 

- Monthly Dew Drop Service - Thurs Mar 25th - Please contact David Silliman at silliman@tbaytel.net or 768-5848 if you are available to volunteer this month.

 

- PA Rotary Virtual Talent Show - We need your help!  Please contact Mike Nitz (michael.nitz@td.com) to participate in this fun fellowship event planned for our March 30thRotary meeting.  We look forward to your contributions.  Please see attached poster.

 

- Rotaract Sleeping Mat Project needs your help!  The Rotaract Club is currently creating Sleeping Mats for the homeless community of Thunder Bay. They are collecting old plastic bags (such as grocery bags from Walmart, Safeway, Superstore, ext) to cut into plastic yarn (called "plarn") which are then crocheted into rectangular sleeping mats.   If you are interested in helping crochet they will provide you with the proper sized crochet hook and you will not have to cut your own plastic bags. If you have any questions, please email Andraya at andrayacolistro@gmail.com or call/text at 807-631-3588. Attached poster for more information.

 

- Register for the 2021 Rotary District 5580 Conference today!  Go to: www.bemidji2021.com and register for free!

 

-Next week...we hear about the Cath the Ace Raffle!

 

 

Warren Philp ; surrounded by Guinness draft is in the mood for St Paddy’s day. Be happy, make a donation!

 

Vocalist from the O Canada in 11 languages: