Below is a brief message to Canadians and other progressives around the world from Canada’s biggest progressive citizen’s organization. Founded in 1985, the Council of Canadians has members and chapters across Canada. It works “to protect Canadian independence by promoting progressive policies on fair trade, clean water, energy security, public
Continue readingTag: medicare
False positive: private profit in Canada's health care: Happy Birthday Saskatchewan Medicare from the U.S. Supreme Court
Fifty years ago, on July 1, 1962, Saskatchewan introduced the first universal health insurance program in North America. The United States Supreme Court’s decision upholding the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is a fitting birthday present. Even though the Act was passed two years ago it now has legs.
Continue readingPaul S. Graham: Video: Stop Cuts to Refugee Health Care in Canada
Winnipeg, June 18, 2012: Opposition to the Harper government’s plan to cut health care for refugees is gaining momentum across Canada. Joining in a National Day of Action Against Refugee Health Cuts, about 500 Winnipeggers rallied at The Forks to hear from health care professionals and newcomers to Canada about
Continue readingOPSEU Diablogue: A reminder of what we’re fighting for
OPSEU represents about 36,000 health care professionals and support staff who work in settings ranging from community mental health to large urban hospitals. When it comes to this BLOG, we don’t hide our perspective as workers. We hope that those … Continue reading →
Continue readingArt Threat: Rush (band) pulls music from Rush (bigot)
North America has always been home to one good Rush and one evil Rush, but never have they engaged in battle … until now. Canadian prog rock legends Rush have demanded that the Rush Limbaugh Show stops using their music. The band’s music was regularly played leading in and out
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Stephen Harper and the Spidey Man
Golly. I don’t know why so many people in the inbred village of Ottawa seem to suffer from Big Daddy Fever. The tendency to portray Stephen Harper as a political genius, instead of a deranged right-wing nerd who is slowly killing this country. But this is ridiculous: “I think by making
Continue readingTeresa Healy's Blog: Map reading equipment
Early on in my courtship with the man himself we still hadn’t figured out the best way to drive from Eastern Ontario to Western Massachusetts. Mapquest would have us go straight through Montreal but I, familiar with the joy of discovering great secondary roads, was sure that there would be
Continue readingLarry Hubich's Blog: Labour leaders call on premiers to unite & defend healthcare
The open letter below was written to Canada’s Premiers from the Presidents of Provincial and Territorial Federations of Labour: An open letter to Canada’s Premiers: Labour leaders call on Premiers to unite & defend healthcareThe future of Canada’s healthcare system is at a critical stage.As leaders of the provincial and territorial
Continue readingTHE FIFTH COLUMN: We Must Stop Stephen Harper and the 20% from Destroying Canada
There has been lots of discussion about how Stephen Harper’s majority only represents 40% of voters because of the way our electoral system works. But, in reality, his agenda has much fewer supporters. We must remember that the Conservative Party is a coalition. It is not a coalition in the
Continue readingMontreal Simon: The Cons Go After Our Medicare System
They promised they wouldn’t go after medicare. But that was then and this is now. The Conservative government is putting the provinces on notice that Ottawa plans to shrink the rate of growth in health transfers. As Finance Minister Jim Flaherty prepares to meet his provincial and territorial counterparts Monday
Continue reading350 or bust: “Canada’s The Best Country In The World”
It’s Thanksgiving Monday here in Canada. Me and mine have much to be thankful for today, having narrowly avoided a serious health crisis among one of our own. So this Thanksgiving I am grateful for the blessing of good health, and I can even appr…
Continue readingDeath By Trolley: Talking to political adversaries: Tips on reaching across the aisle
Tips on talking to political adversaries. Moving past politics, partisanship and labels, recognizing corporatism masquerading as progressivism or conservatism, and going straight to the issues.
Continue readingTHE FIFTH COLUMN: Rant For Canada
Are You Voting For Canada
Continue readingTHE FIFTH COLUMN: The Debate: Canadian Values Win
The most interesting thing I noticed about the debate was where all the leaders, or at least all of the federalist leaders, agreed. These were on what I would consider to be the most basic of Canadian values, but values that many of us suspect are not …
Continue readingYour Alberta Health Act: Opening Doors for Private Healthcare.
“We’d be a lot better off if we had funding follow the patient”
The comment hung in the air, a pinata, colorful, attention seeking, begging for a reaction.
I figured I would have to swing at it, or at least give it a poke.
I tapped the edge, “Hmmm, …
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