Ont. optician stripped of licence there sets up shop in Chilliwack

[idispense]

Stop and think about the company KODAK which just filed for bankruptcy. Kodak did not understand technology or keep up with it so they lost out in a digital world plus they were blinded by an old film revenue stream that they erroneously thought would never end .

That also applies to most Optical regulatory Colleges across Canada, they do not understand that their gravy train and free lunch ticket is over. Nor do they understand why . They only understand in Decemeber more license renewal money comes into their bank account. But that is about to change .

[idispense]

Kodak with all it's money and talent and employees went bankrupt , yet a mere handful of 13 people started a small company using some old Kodak technology and found a way to digitize and apply it online . Those 13 just sold out to Facebook for $ 1 BILLION dollars . That is $ 76 million each .

Where was Kodak in all this ? They were blinded by their own Board of Directors . They were hostage to old thoughts that were stuck like crazy glue to an old revenue stream that was based on old film technology when the world had long switched away from their product. .

The moral of the story ? Old Geezers and codgers are no match for nerds and geeks.

[idispense]

Christopher your worst fears are likely correct. Associations are supposed to be are advocate. But as we can see from the lack of assistance from them to help fight illegal internet sale they are not filling that role. I find it interesting that Quebec a province that has no ties with OAC or NACOR was the first Province outside of BC to challenge Coast and win. My hope is that Ontario college will follow. I have strong evident to believe they will. The rest of Canadian provinces should have an easy win after that. I think we all owe Quebec a bow.

I agree with you about Quebec, they did not share the same vision and were therefore not encumbered by a conflict of interest stalemate.

Quebec will remain seperate and strong. They have no one to bicker with. They can get things done Effectively with Efficiency and Transparency . Their west does not have to check in with their east to seek permission for central to blow their nose. They are unique and strong and accountable.

Quebec, can quickly make up it's mind and act. Quebec can see it's feet , their shadow is not in the way . Quebec knows the difference between a bylaw and a reg , they do not confuse them with black magic in a Harry Potter novel.

Quebec believes in themselves, they take action and they get the job done, they do the right thing and they are not afraid to do it. They don't seem to have excuses why something can not be done.

They do not seem to need twelve years to debate it and keep telling their members " we are checking into it" .

12 years has gone by now.

[Joe peshi]

Any one hear whats up with Brucey now ? Is he complying or still being a bad boy

[inside out]

We all talk a lot. But it takes money and many letters to change the BC regulations. CCEPro an organization that I told you about long ago has organized a fund raiser for the next likely party to take office on Feb 18. They have also had meetings with the party in power. While I am proud to hear my fellow Opticians outrage it is outcries in a cave. Reach out became a member of CCEPro. Ask them what you can do to help. They are moving this mountain. Put your righteous energy with them. If we band together with CCEPro leadership we will take back our pride. I am just saying

[thelittlestnixon]

Any one hear whats up with Brucey now ? Is he complying or still being a bad boy

He's still doing the same, Sight Testing whoever, but nothing is being done about it. We've had a number of customers that went to see him but decided not to buy there after hearing of his escapades in Ontario, so that's nice at least.
Side Note: His paper advertisements always say "As seen on CBC's Marketplace."

[idispense]

Do they even have a Registrar ? They were advertising for one , but was the position filled ? Do they even have enough revenue base to afford a good Registrar with enough experience to handle that case ? The ATTORNEY GENERAL OF ONTARIO couldn't keep him in jail so what is the COBC going to do ? With the Revenue base out there could they even attract a Registrar that could afford to live there ?

[idispense]

If you take a look on line at the College web site and look at their "Complaint Forms " located at: http://www.cobc.ca/my_folders/Forms/...laint_Form.pdf

then at the bottom you will find this disclaimer so why would anyone expect the College to do anything ?
"

Please note that the College regulates only opticians, and student opticians; not optical stores,dispensaries, corporations or their non-optician owners or managers. Please also note that the Collegedoes not have the legal authority to deal with issues that are solely of a monetary nature, such as prices,

warranty or refunds."

[Chris Ryser]

would put a corporation like Coastal totally out of reach

Please note that the College regulates only opticians, and student opticians; not optical stores,dispensaries, corporations or their non-optician owners or managers. Please also note that the Collegedoes not have the legal authority to deal with issues that are solely of a monetary nature, such as prices,

warranty or refunds."

................. that would put a corporation like Coastal totally out of reach

[idispense]

................. that would put a corporation like Coastal totally out of reach

Yes, and as any new Registrar would be inheriting the Chilliwack issue then why would anyone want that job when even the Ontario Attorney Generals office and the courts failed to protect the public ?

Many public groups today are manned by people that are voted in by acclamation which means no one else is interested.

Whenever a someone speaks of protection or accountability or transparency, it's best to remind yourself first of their past performances.

Many public web sites dedicate more of their web real estate to Halloween than anything else. Take a look yourself.

One of the largest problems, is finding people or leadership that can think out the solution.

[idispense]

In our organizations today, another issue that should concern membership, is the number of in camera meetings , too many of those is a warning sign of trouble brewing that they want buried from view. In other words, they don't want transparency.

Accountability and transparency go hand in hand, they are not mutually exclusive. In camera meetings defy accountability and transparency! What can we believe of Minutes of Meetings , when so many meetings take place cloaked in the stealthy depths of secrecy ?