The Grey Bruce Health Coalition was promoting rural healthcare this week while Canada’s top politicians met to discuss trade.
Coalition Chair Brenda Scott says they joined the Canadian Health Coalition and other health coalitions in Huntsville between Monday and Wednesday, while Prime Minister Mark Carney sat down with Canada’s premiers at Deerhurst Resort.
“We support supporting Canada and the trade negotiations, but we are just trying to ask that it not be at the cost of our excellent healthcare system,” says Scott.
While in Muskoka, Scott says she met health coalitions from other provinces and participated in workshops and discussions at Hidden Valley Resort, a short distance away from Deerhurst.
“It was interesting to learn about the commonalities that we have province to province. The rural healthcare issues that we are facing in Grey Bruce is mirrored in every other province. They have examples of the same thing, but it is good to be able to join together, share ideas, and possibly work on some projects in the future,” says Scott.
Additionally, Scott took part in a couple of cavalcade rallies at Hidden Valley and Deerhurst, which she says had a couple of hundred people participating.
“I was able to speak at the rally at Deerhurst about the rural healthcare issue and other people spoke from their point of view as well. It was exciting and interesting and a lot of participation,” says Scott.
She says while none of the premiers or Carney came out to address the group, based on the noise they were making, she is sure the politicians knew the coalitions were there.
“We have had very little mention. Most of the coverage has been about the trade talks, which are important, we recognize that too. We didn’t actually meet with them, but we laid the groundwork and I am sure they will be expecting to hear more from us,” says Scott.
She is concerned, however, that as Canada’s premiers and Prime Minister focus their attention on trade discussions, healthcare will take a backseat.
“We want to make a noise and say Canada is identified internationally by its universal healthcare system and we want you to focus on preserving that,” says Scott.
She says the coalition is currently working on a petition to call on Prime Minister Carney to enforce the Canada Health Act. The act is a federal legislation for publicly funded healthcare, ensuring access to insured health services for all Canadians.
“The Canada Health Act is a fabulous document that has been weakened in several different ways, people kind of trim the edges here and there,” says Scott. “In October, we are going to be delivering that message to the federal government, we are going to collect signatures all through summer.”
Scott says she is hopeful they will be able to work with other Canadian Health Coalition’s to address healthcare.