Dear Editor,
This is the story of Canadian triplets, Robin, Hunter and Sam. Everyone said they could have any job they wanted when they grew up. They knew this was true, but not in the way people meant. They could only have jobs they wanted.
Each had the brain and brawn to do any job, but to live a fulfilling life, their parents had wisely taught them their psychology and physical well-being depended on finding personally meaningful work.
After earning post secondary diplomas, they all thrived at work. Robin and Hunter worked 40-hour weeks and Sam a 60 hour week. Hunter's income was three times that of Robin's and Sam's 20 times, but no one would have switched jobs because they had each found their vocation.
A problem occurred when Robin started to raise a family as income barely provided food and housing. Because of elevated cortisol levels from financial stress, Robin became overweight and developed diabetes. Fortunately, Robin escaped depression because of family, counselling and, ironically, meaningful work.
In Canada, we need to honour and celebrate that individuals find meaning in diverse occupations. Just because our economic system pays minimum wage does not mean an occupation doesn't have maximum meaning to society and individuals, nor does it mean the worker should pay an inflated cost in well-being.
Our democratic system needs to pay respect to all work and legislate not just minimum wages, but living wages.
Nancy Carswell
Shellbrook
