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"The money is there to continue funding the Health Accord. This is more about the Harper government's right wing ideology than cost cutting." NUPGE President James Clancy.
Ottawa (17 April 2013) - The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is condemning the decision of the Harper government to stop funding the Health Council of Canada.
The Health Council was created in 2004 as an independent voice to inform and strengthen our health system and to report on the renewal of Canada's health system, focusing on best practices and innovation. One of its mandates upon creation, following the Romanow Commission, was to monitor the 10 year Health Accord.
The Conservative government claims that since the Health Accord expires in 2014 there is no longer a need for the Council's work.
Total savings through the cuts are estimated at $6 million annually, with there being enough funds available for the Council to continue operating until the end of March 2014.
NUPGE President James Clancy says that "closing the Health Council signals that the federal government intends to back away from requiring provinces to meet national standards.
"Obviously they have no intention of negotiating a new Health Accord and this government is content to let our public medicare system fragment into provincial pieces. Where you live will determine what kind of health care you can get."
Clancy also sees the coordinating role of the Council as being a valuable one that will be lost.
"Poll after poll shows Canadians consider Medicare one of the highest priorities. Canadians want governments to be working together to ensure their health care remains publicly administered and accessible wherever and whenever they need it," he said. "Now is not the time to be backing away from federal, provincial and territorial collaboration and discussion for a system that requires maintenance and investment
Trouble has been brewing over the last year though as Haprer and his ministers refused to sit down to discuss the Health Accord with provincial and territorial representatives. Instead, the Conservatives announced a final offer of funding without debate or room for negotiation.
This approach is not surprising to many, since under the Harper regime the country has seen cut after cut to services and departments which work on issues of importance to Canadians. The Kitsilano Coast Guard Station, Department of Fisheries, Passport office, Environment Canada, Canada Revenue Agency, Veterans Affairs, the National Research Council, Access to Information and Service Canada are just a few examples of departments which have had budgets slashed or offices closed.
"The money is there to continue funding the Health Accord. This is more about the Harper government's right wing ideology than cost cutting."
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