A few days ago, I agreed to be interviewed in connection with a Statistics Canada wish to find out the opinions of Canadians on health issues. The interviewer arrived - she was very pleasant and respectful - and we sat down and I was advised that this would take about an hour. I said I was fine with that.
So the questions started, but as we continued with these questions I began to realize fairly quickly that when I tried to give my answers outside of the established medical/pharmaceutical industry’s parameters I was stumped as the questions clearly did not have the flexibility to cover such things as the value of organic foods versus largely supermarket foods or indeed on a major subject with me, as is well known, this vaccination issue. All questions and answers had to be within the parameters set by Statistics Canada which clearly was only allowed to cover “conventional” parameters.
This survey therefore eliminates at least 20 per cent of Canadians, likely more, who believe in alternative health such as chiropractors, homeopathy, acupuncture, nutrition. Not that the existing medical establishment should be excluded - of course not - but to be of any value such a health survey must, and I repeat must, include all health professionals and not just those who operate within the pharmaceutical industry’s parameters.
Frankly, at the end of the survey, I felt angry and frustrated and that I had completely wasted my time. I also realized sadly, once again, how very controlled we are by the “establishment” that has only its self-interest involved.
I think my interviewer felt somewhat in agreement also.
Michael Brine
Whitehorse