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10- PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, April 20, 1999 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" Doctor frustrated at not being able to practice | in Canada By Chris Hall Port Perry Star More than five years after arriving in Canada, Lillian Lockyer is still wait- ing to fulfill her dream of practicing medicine here. A native of China, Mrs. Lockyer immigrated to Canada in 1993 and lives in Blackstock with her hus- band Cliff. They are happy here, but there is still some- thing missing in her life, she admits. "l want to practice medicine again," she said recently, noting how she is more than qualified as a doctor, but cannot seem to WINDOWS & PATIO DOORS Energy efficient windows reduce draft & increase warmth. Alcan vinyl & aluminum windows. Edusnives PRAM Allen's Siding . Free Estimates Products « Seniors Discount SINCE 1969 Limited . Financing Available Sales and Installation of Doors » Windows © Troughs ¢ Additions Solariums Reach Industrial Park - Reg. Rd. 8 (1/4 Mile E. of Hwy. 12) Port Perry (905) 985-3333 or 985-3747 or Toll Free 1-888-WIN-DOOW (946-3669) Gold Club 4 Feature Contractor: FOR-US-TREE SERVICE get the okay to work in Canada because of bureau- cratic red tape. A graduate in 1984 with a Bachelor's Degree in Medicine in China, Mrs. Lockyer was a licensed gynecologist and obstetri- cian for almost 10 years in her native country. But the promise that all foreign-trained doctors would be accepted in Canada that lured her here turned out to be false, she says. "I hoped that it would take a little bit of practice and I'd be back to work, but that didn't happen and the Ontario Medical Association closed the door to all international gradu- ates," Mrs. Lockyer said. Attempts to study medicine at the University of Toronto, and to become a nurse, a midwife and a medical researcher all failed because she was either turned down or deemed over-qualified, she said. Currently, she is work- ing as an education assis- tant at an Oshawa school Working to keep your trees beautiful, healthy and hazard free Trees are an important part of your property, and maintenance is important to your trees. Trees can be affected by storm damage, root rot, age, or construction damage. Not only will they become unsightly, they could become hazardous for you and those around you. while she waits for a word on her application into a lamaze childbirth educa- tion program. "I thought about giving up, but I really want to get my career straightened out," she said. The fact that the gov- ernment won't let trained physicians practice here, even in the midst of a doctor shortage, still baffles her. Foreign doctors can play an important role in the health care system here, Mrs. Lockyer contends. "We want a chance to work, to prove ourselves; most wouldn't have a prob- lem going to work in remote areas that some people don't want to," she said. Although her move to Canada has not exactly worked out the way she envisioned it, Mrs. Lockyer says she doesn't regret her decision. "I feel like I've never found myself here, never found my true identity; I feel like I've lost my dignity. But Canada is still the best place in the world to live and the community here Lillian Lockyer, a doctor from China, is frustrated she's unable to pursue her profession here. has been very overwhelm- ing in supporting me." Mrs. Lockyer is the spokesperson and a steer- ing committee member for the Foreign Trained Doctors Association, which is a group of area foreign doctors who are lobbying the government to allow them to practice here in Canada. So far talks have been held with OMA offi- cials, Health Minister Elizabeth Witmer, and local MPP John O'Toole. Protect your investment. Let For-us-tree take - professional care of the trees on your landscape. For-us-tree can help save or remove trees that have become damaged by weather, aging or accident. Call The Port Perry Star at 985-7383 to be a part of this regular feature. Welding (Aluminum) Shop: 985-8236 RAHM NpusTaies INC. One mile south of Port Perry on Oshawa Rd. ofice: 985-034 © (205655-3311 Brooklin 4% YEARS Head Office: Box 370, Brooklin, ON 1-800-655-3430 Email: brooklin@idirect.com Fax: (905) 655-3847 COMMERCIAL + INDUSTRIAL * RESIDENTIAL * FREE INSPECTION HOMETOWN ROOFING (705) 786-0228 or 1-888-528-3333 Flat Roof 10-20 Year Warranty Shingles Strategic Repairs & ReRoofing ¢ Certified IKO Installer #9 For-usree Service Specializing in Removal, Pruning, Stump Removal Fully Insured « Free Estimates "Port Perry (905) 986-4848 ROBERT G. ECKEL GREENHOUSES & IRRIGATION 8300 Baldwin St., (Hwy. 12) PO. Box 12 Brookln ON LOB 1CO Bus. Ph/Fax: (905) 655-441 1 | EckELs @ WATER GARDENS NOW AVAILABLE ""." IN Open 7 Days a Week * 9am to 6pm ickaon na / Myrtle Ad HWY. 12