(RICHMOND, B.C., 18 September, 2006) - Prominent broadcaster, writer, lawyer and former Health Minister of British Columbia, Rafe Mair, has been appointed as a consultant to the education committee of the British Columbia Chiropractic Association (BCCA).

The appointment was announced by BCCA president Dr. Jim Cooper of Penticton who said, "Rafe's work in law, government and media has given him a unique insight that should prove of immeasurable value as our profession seeks to expand the education resources available within this province."

He added that B.C. students who wish to become medical doctors, nurses, dentists, physiotherapists and a long list of health-related technical specialties can be educated here at home, but those who wish to become Doctors of Chiropractic must travel to Toronto, the United States or Australia for their education.

Rafe Mair's activities will include assisting the BCCA in the identification of the opportunities in
chiropractic research and education within the province's post-secondary institutions.

There are just two chiropractic colleges in Canada. Each year about 450 candidates apply for just 160 first year positions at Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in Toronto, the only
English-language program. Admittance to the University of Quebec in Trois Rivières is an even greater challenge with, typically, 900 applicants competing for 45 positions. More than 800 Canadian students a year are forced to leave the country to attend chiropractic colleges in the United States. The cost to Canadian families supporting them abroad may represent a negative economic impact of $50 million a year or more, the equivalent of an 800-student chiropractic campus in this country.

More than 800 chiropractic doctors in B.C. treat more than 500,000 individual patients each year. Back injuries and problems related to the spine constitute the second most frequent cause of workers' compensation claims (about 25 per cent of all claims costs), impacting employees, employers and the economy in the hundreds of millions of dollars each year. Published studies repeatedly confirm that chiropractic care for spine and related conditions results in superior outcomes, more rapid pain relief and recovery, and a quicker return to productive lives.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Dr. Don Nixdorf, Executive Director, BC Chiropractic Association
Phone: 604-270-1332 e-mail: info@bcchiro.com
www.bcchiro.com