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Includes representation from the arts community, first nations, health care, community services, labour, post-secondary students, youth, environmental and faith groups.
Vancouver (18 March 2010) - The Health Sciences Association of British Columbia (HSABC/NUPGE) has joined the Coalition to Build a Better B.C., which includes more than 25 groups opposed to provincial government funding cuts and dedicated to working toward real solutions to build a better province.
The coalition includes representatives from the arts community, first nations, health care, community services, organized labour, post-secondary students, youth, environmental and faith groups.
In recognition of ongoing staff shortages and their impact on workload, HSABC members have been calling attention to additional cuts to staff and services now being implemented by the provincial government through its various health authorities.
HSABC president Reid Johnson has repeatedly called for the government to re-examine priorities, pointing out that the cuts are short-sighted and will cost the province more in the long run.
Similar cuts have been occurring throughout various other sectors and communities, giving rise to a growing movement of concerned citizens.
“Cutting intensive therapy programs for children with autism is not the solution," Johnson says.
"Neither is cutting funding for the coordinating and training offices for infant development, Aboriginal infant development, supported child development and Aboriginal child development,” he adds.
Johnson says the province must stop cutting services for most vulnerable groups – children, seniors, and those living with mental illnesses – in health and in community social services.
"For example, in recent weeks, the province cut the only drug and alcohol withdrawal program in the Fraser Valley – one which had a months-long waiting list. In the same region, many hospital-based social workers were displaced,” he notes.
"As if that hadn’t been enough, they also eliminated all spiritual care services in the Fraser Health Authority. They have closed an entire, much-needed psychiatric ward in Victoria. They’ve cut 10,000 MRI scans in the Vancouver area alone, delaying thousands of surgeries. And with every delay, the surgery often becomes more complex, increasing costs both to the health system and in human suffering for the patient,” he adds.
Reid says HSABC has joined the coalition because "our members want to send a strong message" to health authorities and to the province.
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE
More information:
• Coalition to Build a Better B.C. news release - pdf
• Coalition to Build a Better B.C. - list of members - pdf