Ernie Zivny was a victim when he suffered a
workplace accident and became a victim once again when he
required a blood transfusion to save his life.
Unfortunately, the blood he was given was not
safe. Now, my friend Ernie - like too many others - suffer from
chronic Hepatitis C. It has turned their lives upside down. A
nightmare most of us could not imagine. It drains your energy
and destroys your life.
Ernie has lost much over the past 28 years.
He is unable to work, and he and his family have suffered
greatly, financially, socially, and emotionally. He is a proud
man who once owned his own home and two apartment buildings. He
was able to support his family and contribute to our community
as an active volunteer and employee. He has nothing much left
now but to wait for this disease to destroy his liver and end
his life.
The federal government continues to victimize
him, failing to provide the compensation they know he
deserves.
The federal government saw fit to compensate
victims who received tainted blood between 1986 and 1990. For
some time now, the government has recognized that tainted blood
was also given to patients prior to 1986 and post-1990.
Ernie was among the pre-1986 group.
As a result, a Parliamentary committee has
voted unanimously to provide compensation to all identified
victims. Yet the Liberal government continues to drag its feet
on the issue. To delay compensation by stating that lawyers are
working on the issue is both cold and callous.
Our MPs Diane Marleau and Ray Bonin have done
nothing to assist proper compensation of all remaining Hep C
victims. But then, Liberal governments have only acted when
forced to by law and embarrassment.
It's long past time that people like Ernie
receive the money they so rightly deserve, rather than allowing
government lawyers and class action lawyers to reap the
benefits. It's long past time that our government start working
for people.
Gerry McIntaggart
Greater Sudbury