(OTTAWA) - Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada and Member of Parliament for Saanich – Gulf Islands, issued the following statement on the anniversary of the expiration of the Canada Health Accord:
“The Harper Conservatives’ decision to let the Health Accord expire and turn health care into a mere accounting entry in the national budget signaled that Ottawa will no longer engage with the provinces in reforming and improving our health care system as in the past. Even worse, health care funding is now tied to economic success in the provinces, so that poorer provinces will actually receive lower transfers.
“Health care is now less of a national program and more of an uneven patchwork of services, with unacceptable variations in quality and availability. I call on Stephen Harper to step up to the plate and lead the collaboration necessary to strengthen our health care system, develop national standards to ensure equitable coverage, and bring practical improvements and innovative reforms to a public service we all depend on.”
Daniel Green, Deputy Leader of the Green Party of Canada and the party’s Health Critic, continued:
“If there is one element that distinguishes Canada from its neighbors, it is our universal and accessible health care system.
“We must all unite to preserve this gem that allows Canadians to enjoy a high quality of life. The only changes that we should make to this system must focus on its improvement.”
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For additional information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Julian Morelli
Director of Communications
Green Party of Canada
cell: (613) 614 4916
office: (613) 562 4916 (224)
julian.morelli@greenparty.ca