To the editor:
I’m writing regarding the story, headlined Local issues lined up for lobbying; more timber cuts released, physiotherapists sought, on page A4 of the Sept. 24 edition of the Free Press.
I have lived in Canada since 2002 (Canadian citizen since 2008) at 108 Mile Ranch, BC. I am a qualified German physiotherapist with over 8,000 hours of practice.
Due to the aforesaid, I have received an immigration approval from the Canadian Embassy in Germany together with the promise of the possibility to be able to immediately work in Canada as a physiotherapist.
Since the first day of my immigration, I have tried unsuccessfully to be recognized with my education background as a physiotherapist.
I am not surprised there is a need for physiotherapists in Canada, if the current physiotherapists in this area (from Germany, Switzerland and Sweden) are not recognized.
It would be more efficient and faster for the patients if the educated therapists – who are living in this country – would be able to work in their profession.
It is a shame that this current situation is fought at the expense of the patients.
Those patients have to wait at the best up to eight weeks for an appointment and treatments. This can not be in the interest of the Canadian health-care system.
The politicians who are now in charge need to be held accountable.
It is ridiculous how the politicians try to not be responsible.
The only person who was trying was Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett, but all of her efforts were unfortunately unsuccessful.
It is time to stop complaining on TV and in the newspapers. It is time to finally give the educated physiotherapists in this country the chance to work in their profession so they can provide faster and better services for the patients.
In 2005, a study by the Physiotherapeutic College showed that the German education is equal to the Canadian education.
Rainer Meyer
Certified German physiotherapist
108 Mile Ranch
