Dear Editor:
I have recently moved to Yorkton from a small town near Dauphin where I have been quite active in community affairs, most of my adult life. After moving here I found my life too boring as there was nothing to do here that attracted my fancy. It is not that I was looking for a job as I am well into my senior years, and I felt that it was time to turn my time into volunteering and help other seniors enjoy their lives more, if possible.
I saw an ad in the Yorkton paper from the Red Cross, that was asking for volunteers to spend time with other people in the community, that were lonely, shut in, or so that they would appreciate company, and perhaps a trip to do some shopping, or a meal out, or just a friendly visit. As I am quite active and have had 16 years as an EMT1 with the Dauphin Ambulance, I thought this activity would fit in with my past experiences quite nicely, as I have done CPR on fourteen patients that suffered heart attacks with two of them being successful in resuscitation. As well I have attended many motor vehicle accidents and medical emergencies. When I applied with the Red Cross coordinator, I was informed of all the hoops I had to jump before I could become one of their volunteers. Amongst other criteria, I had to apply at the RCMP for a Criminal Record check as well as a Vector check, along with a $10 fee. I did this but within a few days I was notified that I needed to get my finger prints taken as well. This is where I draw the line in so far as helping the community. I saw no reason to be fingerprinted by a third party that had no bearing on the quality of help that I extended to the person directly, or to the community indirectly. This was a decision made by me strictly as a matter of principal.
I then applied with the Sunrise Health Region, to be a volunteer driver with my own vehicle. This would have been to drive patients that needed to be transferred to other cities hospitals for treatment. Again as I have had an EMT1 license for 16 years and have driven well over a million and a half miles in my life, and have a very clean driver’s license record, I believe I should have been qualified to fit this volunteer position. All this volunteering was without recompense to me, as far as I know. Again, the RCMP entered the picture. Finger prints demanded. I am a senior citizen and am in very good health. I have never been sentenced for any criminal activity, I was sent to Ukraine for 3 months in 1996 to mentor the Ukrainians in Tourism and Economic development, I have made Top Canadian Salesman for the Pioneer Chain Saw division of Outboard Marine Corporation, I have been on many Government sponsored boards as well as committees in different communities, I owned the hotel in Bowsman where I needed to be passed by the Liquor Commission to get a liquor license. NEVER, was I asked to submit my fingerprints. I am not a criminal and have nothing to hide but I believe that when the RCMP demand a person be fingerprinted for no other reason than because they demand it, even when it would keep a qualified person for helping other less fortunate citizens in the area, then I believe that this is one of the first steps to a police state. I spoke to a retired General in the Dauphin area and told him my experiences. Without batting an eye he said; “oh that is known in government circles as “CYA”. “OH, what is that, I said” His answer, “Cover your ass”. Is this what Canada is coming too?? Is there no trust at the top anymore?? Do we “CYA” to the point where we refuse volunteer help from very qualified people just because “maybe”.
John Stogran
Yorkton, SK.
