Harper is threatening the sustainability of healthcare in Canada: NDP
Harper is threatening the sustainability of healthcare in Canada: NDP
Cover Date:
January 15, 2012
OTTAWA – Today New Democrats blasted Stephen Harper’s plan to unilaterally cut federal health transfers and call on the Conservative government to instead work with the provinces to come up with a sustainable solution.
“What the provinces need is a federal partner that’s committed to improving Medicare, not one that leaves the table without paying its fair share,” said New Democrat Health Critic Libby Davies (Vancouver East). “The provinces were clear about the dangers of Mr. Harper’s out-of-touch plan–now Kevin Page is too.”
Yesterday the Parliamentary Budget Officer warned the move would threaten the sustainability of the healthcare system and force provinces to cut vital services that families rely on. Kevin Page’s report detailed how reducing the rate of growth in health transfers would widen the gap between what provinces pay for health care and what they receive from Ottawa in transfers.
“The Conservatives are leaving provinces with the check and Canadians with a system that will grow weaker over time,” added New Democrat Deputy Health Critic, Anne Minh-Thu Quach (Beauharnois-Salaberry). “Canadians want leadership on healthcare, not the hands-off approach the Conservatives have shown over the years.”
New Democrats will be meeting with many stakeholders this Sunday in Victoria, BC, to talk about the much needed reforms that can still be achieved under the current health accords to ensure healthcare remains sustainable.
Premiers seek common front on health care
Premiers seek common front on health care
Provincial and territorial leaders gathered in Victoria Sunday evening for their first meeting together since Finance Minister Jim Flaherty announced the federal government would stop providing health-care transfers at an annual increase of six per cent after 2016-17, and instead tie funding to economic growth…New Democrats held a roundtable on health care featuring over a dozen experts in Victoria on Sunday. NDP health critic Libby Davies accused Ottawa of not doing more on the file. “After investing over $160 billion in health care, many of the reforms included in the 2003-04 health accords have seen little or even no improvement under Stephen Harper’s leadership," said Davies in a press release.
The original article, Premiers seek common front on health care was published on January 15, 2012 in CBC News. Author(s):
Former Vancouver East MP Libby Davies throws her support behind Kennedy Stewart’s campaign for mayor
Former Vancouver East MP Libby Davies throws her support behind Kennedy Stewart’s campaign for mayor
Yesterday (July 4), former NDP MP Libby Davies issued a statement endorsing Stewart, who is running as an independent and who is also a former NDP MP. “Kennedy has the experience, knowledge and skills to unite a majority of voters around progressive policies that put people first,” Davies said in a statement published on Stewart’s campaign website. “If you care about affordable housing, protecting our environment, restoring faith in city hall, or tackling the opioid crisis, Kennedy is the best person to lead city council and take on the big challenges facing Vancouver.” Davies represented Vancouver East in the House of Commons from 1997 until she retired from federal politics in 2015. Before that, she served as a member of Vancouver city council with the Coalition of Progressive Electors (COPE) from 1982 to 1993. Her record of advocacy for drug-policy reform, human rights for sex workers, and affordable housing earned her a reputation as a champion of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.
The original article, Former Vancouver East MP Libby Davies throws her support behind Kennedy Stewart’s campaign for mayor was published on July 5, 2018 in The Georgia Straight. Author(s): Travis Lupick
As Premiers prepare to meet in Victoria, civil society comes together to protect public health care
As Premiers prepare to meet in Victoria, civil society comes together to protect public health care
Protection of our public health care system always ranks as Canadians’ number one concern. It reflects deep Canadian values of fairness and accessibility in the provision of basic services that we all need. I hear all the time from people who are very worried about what the Conservative government is up to when it comes to health care.
This week, Victoria will host the Premiers’ conference on health care. But their meeting has already been undermined by the federal Finance Minister’s unilateral declaration on future federal funding for health care, when the current Health Accord runs out in 2014.
Last week, the Parliamentary Budget Office indicated in a report that the government’s new formula will reduce the proportion of federal funding to health care. This leaves the provinces holding the bag and will cause enormous pressure in the long run on the provision of vitally needed services.
It’s becoming increasingly clear that the federal government is backing out of its role; abdicating any federal leadership on an issue critical to Canadians.
This is a disastrous course and will undermine the Canada Health Act. And on a financial level, contrary to Minister’s assertions, this is a rotten deal for the provinces, as evidenced by the PBO report.
The federal government’s inaction on much needed reforms that were included in the current health accords is another indication of failed federal leadership.
Our current health system is designed to provide health care services according to the needs of Canadians. The Conservatives are saying that services will be provided according to the amount of money budgeted.
With this perspective, the Harper government is removing itself as a partner in improving Medicare and stepping away from the Canada Health Act. This hands-off approach will make our system weaker and will lead to greater medical privatization across the country.
After investing over $160 billion federally, in health care, many of the reforms included in the 2003-2004 health accords have seen little or even no improvement under the Conservative government.
Canadians have a hard time knowing if they are actually getting value for money when it comes to health care because there has been virtually no accountability.
The Advisory Committee on Governance and Accountability was supposed to help governments be accountable to the public, but it no longer exists.
All of this means we have to be very concerned and vigilant about sustaining our public health care system and making sure it meets the needs of Canadians today; including prescription drug coverage, long-term care, and home care. These are necessary programs and services that should be part of our public system.
Instead, the Conservatives are further setting the stage for private, for profit interests to move in and undermine the future of health care access and efficiency. A sustainable, health care system depends on more, not less, public coverage.
In Victoria this weekend, the federal NDP hosted a lively dialogue and roundtable discussion with key NGOs and Medicare advocates. There is a wealth of experience and knowledge in the community and we must draw on our common vision for an accessible and fair Medicare system that Canadians can reply on.
The public interest needs to be heard by the Premiers to make it clear that our public health care system must not be undermined.
We must break the myths that our public health care system is not sustainable. We must demand better, and ensure that the commitments made in the 2003/04 Health Accords are lived up to by both the provinces and the federal government.
We need to work together to take on the challenges that our system faces. I hope all of us can do what we can to ensure one of the most important elements of our Canadian identity remains a strong one.
Check out Libby’s conversation with the Council of Canadians’ Maude Barlow, as they discuss the importance of the Premiers’ conference and the fight to sustain our public health care system: [[{“type”:”media”,”view_mode”:”media_large”,”fid”:”87″,”attributes”:{“alt”:””,”class”:”media-image”}}]]
Conservatives fail on health care accountability
Conservatives fail on health care accountability
Cover Date:
December 20, 2011
OTTAWA – A day after Finance Minister Jim Flaherty shocked provinces by unilaterally declaring a new formula for health care funding, New Democrats blasted the government for turning their backs on much needed health care accountability.
“It’s the federal government’s job to ensure Canadian families have access to universal, quality health care services—no matter where they live.” said New Democrat Leader Nycole Turmel. “Instead of working with the provinces to improve frontline services, the Conservatives have simply cut and run.”
Turmel said it wasn’t enough for Minister Flaherty to drop a new funding formula in the laps of his provincial counterparts. She said the government needs to work with the provinces to deliver on the priorities of Canadians.
“This government likes to talk about accountability, but where’s its plan?” Turmel said. “How will it ensure federal funding leads to more doctors and nurses, better home care and more affordable prescription drugs? The Conservatives have no more cards to play to ensure accountability.”
New Democrats have long called for the federal government to play a leadership role in helping provinces hire more doctors and nurses, while reducing wait times and ensuring access to affordable prescription drugs and home care with dignity. After yesterday’s meeting, provincial finance ministers made it clear that this won’t happen.
“Provinces know that federal inaction will mean reduced services and longer wait times,” said New Democrat Health Critic Libby Davies (Vancouver East). “The Conservatives have failed to show any leadership and families are going to pay the price.”
“The Conservatives have abandoned their promise for stable funding and accountability. They are turning their backs on the millions of families still without a family doctor.”