BCMA election turnout worst ever

Public

Other doctors have said, "Truly pathetic turnout. Hard for me to fathom." and "I cannot believe, this must be lowest count, Wonder why?"

Some of the older doctors and past-presidents will remember Ben Trevino's prescription for a successful BCMA  was  "triple  P", i.e.  the relationship between the  profession, the public and the politician - individually and collectively - in BC.

Added to that was Jim Gilmore's philosophy that the BCMA be at the cutting edge of politics - he came to the BCMA from Trudeau's office. With the help of media greats like Jack Webster, Jim taught the BCMA and its leaders to address health, social service, environmental, and certain political issues.

We educated the Public and advised the Politicians.

At times issues were provocative  eg  introduction of seat belts took three years and the BCMA hired the Australian bureaucrat who organised the introduction of seat belts there to address our AGM and the BC media before either the NDP or Social Credit would support legislation.

When the  Federal Supreme Court struck out the abortion clauses from the criminal code in 1986 it was the BCMA in BC, in partnership with the CMA and the other Provincial Medical Associations, that looked after the problems that arose and 6 months later it was the CMA and the Provincial Medical Associations who provided the Federal Government with a blueprint for the future, federal abortion legislation.

That was not easy in BC with Vander Zalm as Premier. In those days the BCMA was a constant presence in front of the Public and the membership were proud that it was so.

Those days are long gone. as ever  John O'Brien-Bell

Notice of election results are available online
https://www.doctorsofbc.ca/node/10452