Ontario Health Coalition and Health Coalitions from across Canada issued a joint statement in advance of the gathering of First Ministers and the Council of the Federation:

4 hours ago 1

Article content

While our political leaders talk about new “nation-building” plans, those things that have created equity and a more just society in our nation-building over the last century are at risk: a world class public health care system; environmental and labour protections; and, the first steps toward reconciliation with First Nations and Indigenous Peoples. If the only pressure our governments feel comes from Donald Trump and the corporate agenda, we will lose what we value most.

Article content

We reject expanding war budgets and gutting regulatory protections while patients and health care workers are left to beg for care. We demand adequate funding for public health care, action to safeguard and uphold the Canada Health Act, an end to rampant privatization schemes and deregulation of public interest protections led by the governments in Ontario and Alberta, and true public solutions to the crisis.

Article content

Now is the time to stand up for public health care and the values it represents: equity, compassion, dignity, and care for all.

Article content

Canadians overwhelmingly support our public system. It cannot wait. It’s time for governments to listen — and act.

Article content

The Ontario Health Coalition advocates to protect public health care services from being cut and closed and to improve access and care. It represents more than 750,000 Ontarians including patients, patient advocates, families, doctors, unions, non-profit organizations, seniors’ groups, nurses, health professionals, care and support workers, students, ethnocultural organizations, and concerned citizens, among others.

Article content

For more information:

Article content

(Alberta) Friends of Medicare Alyssa Pretty, Communications Officer, (780) 667-4581, [email protected];
BC Health Coalition Ayendri Riddell, Director of Campaigns and Policy, (604) 787-6560, [email protected];
Canadian Health Coalition Jason MacLean, Chair, (902) 549-1888 [email protected];
Nova Scotia Health Coalition Jennifer Benoit (she/her) Provincial Coordinator, (902) 406-9422, [email protected];
Ontario Health Coalition Natalie Mehra, Executive Director, (416) 230-6402, [email protected];
PEI Health Coalition Mary Boyd, Chair, (902) 969-2693, [email protected]