It had all the trappings of an election — lawn signs, leaflets, TV commercials, media coverage and an army of volunteers knocking on doors. This vote, however, wasn’t run by any level of government but by a group of citizens opposed … Continue reading →
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OPSEU Diablogue: Little change in course for health care – more restraint ahead
Like the rest of the budget, Ontario Finance Minister Charles Sousa did little to change the course of last year’s austerity budget with regards to health care. One thing is certain – health care is gradually shrinking as a percentage … Continue reading →
Continue readingSaskboy's Abandoned Stuff: The Audit With a Twist #cdnpoli
$3.1 Billion is missing according to a damning audit of the Harper Government. Let’s see what political pundits recently have said about audit failure: Federal government audit ‘severely critical’ – The Star headline “The independent audit […] speaks for itself, and we accept its conclusions and recommendations,” said Jan O’Driscoll,
Continue readingOPSEU Diablogue: Toronto Board of Health calls for an end to the three-month wait for OHIP eligibility
Following the recommendations of the city’s Medical Officer of Health, the Toronto Board of Health is calling on the Ontario government to end the three-month wait for OHIP coverage for new residents and improve access to care to the city’s … Continue reading →
Continue readingOPSEU Diablogue: Squeaky Wheels: Are more Ontario hospital CEOs likely to publicly air their grievances?
It makes us wonder why so few hospital CEOs are willing to publicly go to bat for their institutions. It’s true that in the past public advocacy was not always met with great appreciation at Queen’s Park, which has the … Continue reading →
Continue readingSaskboy's Abandoned Stuff: Stella
People who attended Occupy Regina in 2011 and early 2012, will remember meeting Stella Rogers. Regrettably, Stella passed away this February in B.C. Stella rose to fame by fearlessly introducing herself to everyone at the Victoria Park camp site, and staying involved in working on “homeless” issues in the months
Continue readingSaskboy's Abandoned Stuff: Conservatives Stopped Conserving
It’s frustrating to be a Canadian, with such terrifically stupid and dishonest political representation. Sure, our insecure ‘strong’ leaders don’t send the police to your door (unless you’ve written them a mean letter), but that mildly redeeming trait isn’t enough. They have to stop denying that climate change isn’t killing
Continue readingOPSEU Diablogue: Bangladesh tragedy — factory manager’s words come back to haunt us
In hindsight the words sound eerie. In February we were in Nicaragua on a rare tour of a Maquila factory that manufactures Levis Dockers pants for the U.S. and Argentina. These factories are usually reluctant to let foreigners in, but this … Continue reading →
Continue readingOPSEU Diablogue: Will $260 million help restore home care clinical services? Maybe
For home care this is significant. With their feet held to the fire by the NDP, the Wynne government announced last week they were going to invest $260 million in additional funding for home and community care services this year. … Continue reading →
Continue readingOPSEU Diablogue: Gagnon: Rising drug costs unsustainable — not Medicare
Dr. Marc Andre Gagnon says that while Medicare is sustainable, rising drug costs are not. A leading expert on pharmaceutical policy in Canada, Carleton University’s Gagnon spoke Saturday at the Students for Medicare conference in Toronto. Gagnon says drug costs … Continue reading →
Continue readingIn This Corner: 12 thoughts about Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World.
1. Americans are overwhelmingly the world’s most influential people. I count 63 of the 100 as American. This certainly reflects America’s dominant position in the world, and the fact Time is an American publication 2. No Canadians made the list of most influential people in the world, not even Justin
Continue readingOPSEU Diablogue: Debate should be about better public care, not defending status quo
Dr. Danielle Martin calls it a “trap.” Opponents of Medicare argue that privatization or two-tier health care is the answer to the problems that face Canada’s health system. The trap is to get caught defending the status quo in that … Continue reading →
Continue readingSusan on the Soapbox: The Face of Terrorism
I’ve been to Washington DC many times, but this trip was different. In addition to the usual buzz created by lobbyists, bureaucrats, politicians and businessmen who had places to go and people to see, there was a sense of unease. This feeling of foreboding was evident in the police cars
Continue readingCritical Brain Candy: Oh, Rogers, I didn’t think I could despise you more
This was the final straw for me. A few months ago I called into Rogers to cancel my Internet and switch to Teksavvy. We had been passing our 120gb/month limit and their options for more than that were way too expensive. Teksavvy offers 300gb/month for about $45. My only hesitation
Continue readingLeft Over: Rightwing Knuckledraggers Unite!!!!
Climate Change Scientist Calls Conservatives ‘Neanderthal’ CBC | Posted: 04/27/2013 8:03 am EDT | Updated: 04/27/2013 9:46 am EDT This message is only marginally redundant..and the Conjobs could care less, or their supporters..after all the tar sands are newer than the dinosaur and plant remains that make up their bulk…what’s that, according to these
Continue readingOPSEU Diablogue: Denise Wagler-Allan winner of this year’s HCDC pop quiz
Congratulations to Denise Wagler-Allan – winner of this year’s Health Care Divisional Council annual pop quiz. A $100 gift certificate goes to the delegate/alternate whose entry was first to be drawn and has the answers to the quiz correct. At this year’s … Continue reading →
Continue readingLisaKirbie.com: My late night chat with Mayor Rob Ford, who tells me how politics works – UPDATED
Last Sunday, on his weekly radio program, Toronto’s mayor offered to generously to sit down with women – over coffee even – and “explain how politics works” to us. A lot of people were astounded and offended by this. I decided to take him up on his offer. I called
Continue readingSaskboy's Abandoned Stuff: Thinking Out Loud, But Not Online
Life doesn’t get any easier when problems are compounded by big mistakes. I’m taking a few days away from usual blogging and social media to think, so don’t think I’ve gone anywhere. I’ll probably pop in sooner than later.
Continue readingLisaKirbie.com: Going after Deb to get to Tim
I don’t know Deb Hutton but I do know what it’s like when a politician goes after you because of who you’re in a relationship with. There is no excuse for this. And if you’re wondering what I’m talking about. Check it out. Here and here, too. (Also, important to
Continue readingLisaKirbie.com: Question everyone is asking: What will the NDP do?
If they can position themselves as the left-of-centre party of change, I think they’d have a good shot. The question for them becomes, ‘Do they want to give this government another year?’
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