What the future may hold for Canadians

BY STEVEN KASZAB

Finally getting out of the clutches of this pandemic. Much has changed in these few years since COVID-19 has struck. Three years and several waves later Canada has changed, having been transformed by our response to the pandemic.

The Liberal government is still in power, directing the nation towards an uncertain future.

What has changed?

The Central Government has become more powerful, shouldering the responsibilities demanded of it because of the pandemic. Central purchasing and distribution of medical supplies and vaccines lay in their hands in association with the various Provincial and municipal agencies.

Several vaccines are being used, each with its own strengths and side effects.

The central government has forced the pharmaceutical firms to sell these vaccines at cost. Why? At the beginning of vaccine development into the first-year costs increased drastically. Governments did not share what the costs of these vaccines were. Profiteering from vaccine production and distribution became a problem. Developing plans to ship vaccines to places of low population became excessively expensive. It was only through governmental direction, that distribution was carried out equally and fairly. With the cost of vaccines driven down Canada’s allies, poorer nations of the world can afford these vaccines for their population.

20% of the Canadian population refuse to be vaccinated. Continual communal infections occur and those vaccinated can still become infected with the virus. Several solutions to this problem arise:

Citizenship identity cards are developed. All sorts of information useful to the citizen and government are scribed onto these cards: health/safety information, identity, drivers’ licenses, and travel history.

These cards are mandatory if someone travels to an infected region or is vaccinated and when.

Health care to those non-vaxxers may be denied. Either they are part of the Canadian social contract, or they are not. It is a threat that is never applied, just implied. If education does not work, time in the corner may.

Providers of vaccines and the governmental agencies who contracted them show full transparency and accountability.

It is determined that ALL Canadians need to be vaccinated. Therefore, if citizens do not get vaccinated and it is proven that they infect others, they will be criminally charged and possibly civilly sued also.

The social contract becomes very demanding. At first, all public officials ask for compliance, but after continual anti-social behaviour, even with business lockdowns in many regions, criminal charges and isolation become key in managing non-compliant citizens.

Online learning with some in class teaching becomes the norm. Having a computer at home with online capabilities becomes a human right. Teaching instructors are required to attend a training period to learn the art of online teaching. Ultimately many communities throughout Canada receive this benefit along with others, like clean water availability and local community economic zones. Practical experience along with professional teaching becomes the norm. Teaching period is year-round with extended short holidays throughout the year, nothing longer than two weeks.

The government directs the rail and air transport industry to develop a clean air purification system that traps and isolates viruses and contamination in the air. Rail throughout Canada is directed to expand its operations. Rail is the most environmentally friendly form of mass transport, with clean energy applied (solar/natural gas).

Alberta has suffered in many ways. The Newfoundland oil fields are quiet. The central government decides to build a state-of-the-art refinery for oil, gas, and natural gas in Alberta and in Eastern Canada creating many jobs. Transportation of finished products is developed using new and improved pipelines. Alberta begins to diversify its economy away from the energy sector to manufacturing and resource development along with Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

All senior living centres in Canada become provincially owned. In this manner costs and services as well as emergency responses will never be limited or stunted as they were in the private sector. Revenue will flow in a controlled, well-managed fashion.

Permanent positions will be created and maintained in these centres. An employee can have a career in such places, and not travel from location to location to get their forty hours of work. Governmental development of senior living programs, senior healthcare and mental health programs are created. Many positions for professionals like psychologist, nurses, senior teaching are created.

The Provincial Governments admit many senior centres could have been better maintained. Financial costs to victims of COVID-19 in these homes are distributed to their grieving families. A vow that seniors will never again be ignored is made by many public figures.

A two-tier health system is developing. Citizens are given the opportunity to become involved in a public system such as OHIP, or smaller medical facilities licensed by each province serving private individuals. The private facilities are independent of public funds, entirely dependent upon user fees.

The provincial health systems have been invested upon through public funds. A large portion of the public sector will be invested in revenue creation, through the study, research and development of diseases and their cures.

Pharmaceutical Corporations in Canada have partnered with this sector, sharing their funds and research direction. The Canadian Government has directed each provincial health system, university and research facility to work towards cures for diseases.

Like the US, the national project of getting a man on the moon, Canada will invest its funds in research and development in curing such conditions as dementia, cancer etc. Doctors and nurses in Canada move to become some of the highest paid in North America. With better benefits comes excellence.

Non-person-to-person events have become more popular. Many large venues go out of business. A more personal approach is developed. Smaller controlled events: person to person, online presentations (not costly) develop into an approved method of entertainment. Over time large, controlled events will return. The population has a historic memory that needs time to heal.

Can you say that Canadians united together to fight this pandemic? Many did. They showed the world that they cared for their fellow citizens. The pandemic also introduced us to patience, humility and charity. Imagine lines in Toronto; two to four persons in a store that could hold thirty people. Imagine caring citizens showing respect for our caregivers, our elderly and each other. We are better because of this pandemic. Our imaginations shine with the creativity of the Great North.

Our society continues to transform, changing as we do. These three years have pulled us together while the pandemic has torn other nations apart.