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During Premier's meeting, Nova Scotia Citizen's Health Care Network holds press conference to outline their vision to improve Canada's public health care system.
Halifax (26 July 2012) – Public health care advocates from across the country are paying close attention to the Council of the Federation meeting in Halifax. The Nova Scotia Citizen's Health Care Network, of which the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union (NSGEU/NUPGE) and the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) are major supporters, held a press conference and a series of public events to outline their vision to improve Canada's public health care system.
“Stephen Harper is the biggest threat to public health care we’ve ever encountered. It is imperative that he return to the 2014 Health Accord negotiation table, or we risk losing our high-quality, universal health care. Every generation has fought to ensure that we can all access the health services we need. Now is the time for all of us to come together once again to defend this great Canadian value,” says Maude Barlow, National Chairperson of the Council of Canadians.
“For 50 years our governments have worked together to pay for public health care, but last year the federal Finance Minister gave the premiers a take or leave it package on money all the way through 2024. That’s not good enough. We want Ottawa to remain a full partner in our health care system and to negotiate with the premiers on funding,” says Ken Georgetti, President of the Canadian Labour Congress.
“Federal leadership is essential to secure the future of Medicare and meet the health care needs of all Canadians. Medicare works: it is more cost-effective, efficient and equitable than market health care. Canadians need more Medicare, not less. It’s time for the Harper government to come back to the table and work with premiers to expand Medicare, starting with pharmacare and a continuing care strategy,” says Michael McBane, National Coordinator of the Canadian Health Coalition.
“We need to continue the progress of the 2004 Health Accord with a strong 2014 Health Accord that preserves national standards and moves us towards public-sector innovations. We need to make sure that Albertans get the same standard of care as Nova Scotians, and that a successful new approach for wait times developed in Victoria is used in St. John’s too.” says Dr. Robert Woollard, a founding member of Canadian Doctors for Medicare.
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