MARCH 1, 2006
Members Statements
Role of MLAs in Assisting Constituents

R. Cantelon: I rise today to remind the members of this House that we're elected not only to represent our constituents but to help them wherever possible, and I have an anecdote from my office in Nanaimo. A constituent contacted my office asking for assistance on a rather large — several thousand dollars — MSP bill she had received. Her husband had, unfortunately, passed away in December, and he had been the bookkeeper in the family.

           It was a very complicated matter. The constituent and her partner had left Canada in '99 without informing MSP about the departure. The couple had an outstanding balance when they left. They continued monthly payments, and they thought it had been cleared up. When they returned in June 2004 and began to use the services, they were presented with a rather large bill.

           My office worked with the constituent to ensure that the MSP received tax assessment notices, which helped confirm when they'd left and returned to Canada. This cleared up her outstanding account, and this grateful 90-plus woman was left with a small credit, which went towards her medical accounts. She is now eligible for premium assistance, and my office has helped her apply for Pharmacare as well.

           Part of the point is that we all owe our reputation of our good offices not only to our work but to the hard work of all our constituents, and I would also like to acknowledge the very cooperative help that we received from the department of health in this matter in resolving this amicably for my constituent.

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