Editor:
Mr. Wilson, as a spokesperson for our community regarding the Trellis takeover of our seniors’ care on the Sunshine Coast, I would like to state for the record that in your commentary you stated that our local workers should not be worried. I quote: “Wage rates will be the same as they are for Shorncliffe and Totem Lodge.” This is a blatant untruth. Mary MacDougall, president of Trellis Senior Services, has supplied in writing from meetings Nov. 14 & 15, 2016, which you did not attend, what the staffing, wages and benefits would be. They are not even close. In fact, they are non-livable wages for the cost of living on the Sunshine Coast.
There is no protection for the 200 employees who will lose their jobs. We have been told we may be granted an interview but there is no guarantee that we will be hired. Shorncliffe and Totem Lodge will be refurbished but will not open to their current status.
As a person running for public office, the community would like to think that when a politician spouts facts, not just smoke and mirrors in order to get elected, they should be true. Please do your homework and try not to deceive us, because someone with no knowledge of what they speak should not be our government representative. Private for-profit senior care means exactly that: profit before residents.
Catherine Nocente, RPN, RN, Sechelt
