I am a cancer survivor and a CCS volunteer. My wife is also a cancer survivor and we applaud the work of the CCS. In my case, I suspect that my lung cancer was partly caused by second-hand smoke because my father was a chain smoker, and partly caused by environmental carcinogens due to the polluted environment that I grew up in. I think one of the priorities of the CCS should be to reduce environmental carcinogens by lobbying governments to enact legislation requiring detailed product labeling for household cleaning products and furnishings as these can be a significant source of in-door pollution. Also, the CCS should join in other groups to lobby for more stringent pollution control from automobiles and from industries. I would also like to see more funding for lung cancer research as the survival rate for this type of cancer is still quite low.

In my involvement with the CCS, I come to appreciate CCS’ outreach to the non-English speaking population. Speaking on behalf of the Chinese Program, I would like to see better funding of such programs. I understand that a Korean Program supporting Korean-speaking Canadians is currently underway. I urge the Board to consider supporting this effort by budgeting for a full-time staff for this new program.

I know we are in tough financial times, and funding is tight, but we all know that budgeting is a matter of priorities as much as a matter of resources. It may be prudent for the CCS Board to conduct regular efficiency and effectiveness reviews of all its expenditures to make sure every donated dollar is spent wisely. I am sure that the CCS is already being prudent in its expenditures, but there is always room for improvement.

Thank you for this opportunity to speak to you directly.

John Yu
Chair
Chinese Program Committee
BC and Yukon
CCS