Ottawa (19 Nov. 2008) ... Health professionals are calling todays speech from the throne a -huge disappointment" because it failed to address important issues facing Canadas health-care system. 

"Its clear from this throne speech that the Harper government doesnt view health care as a top priority and in fact seems to suggest the job is pretty much done," says Elisabeth Ballermann, Co-Chair of the Canadian Health Professionals Secretariat (CHPS). 

The BC Health Coalition is urging citizens to take action to protectand expand public health care in their communities during NationalMedicare Week, November 17-22.

-Ongoing violations of the Canada Health Act (CHA),such as private clinics extra-billing and costly membership fees, area threat to Canadians health and their pocketbooks," says Joyce Jones,Community Co-Chair of the Coalition.

During National Medicare Week the National Union is urging governments to look to the public system to deliver solutions to wait-time issues and health care shortages.

Ottawa (17 Nov. 2008) - The Canadian Health Coalition and health coalitions across the country are marking November 17-22 as National Medicare Week. The National Union of Public and General Employees is supporting the week and calling for governments to make a greater commitment to publicly funded, delivered and administered health care.

On Saturday November 15, 2008 British Columbians head to the polls to elect mayors, municipal councillors, school trustees, and regional district representatives.

These local representatives make decisions that affect our everyday lives, and play a critical role in making our neighbourhoods, towns, and regions places where we want to live.  Local politicians also speak up for communities on important local, provincial and federal issues, and are an important voice for our communities with higher levels of government. 

Obama's election provides an opportunity for progressive labour law reform in the U.S.

Washington (10 Nov. 2008) - The election of Barack Obama as president is one of the few moments in recent years that organized labour in the United States has had something to cheer about.

Obama has promised to sign the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) if passed by the new Congress following his inauguration in January. The EFCA was introduced but not passed in the last Congress.

The BC Health Coalition has commitments from 81 municipal candidates who have each signed a pledge to protect public health care. As public health care defenders, the candidates have agreed to:

Reducing the need for higher intensity and for more costly services

Vancouver (4 Nov. 2008) - The latest report by B.C. Auditor General John Doyle provides a list of recommendations to improve planning for home and community care programs.

"Ministry of Health Services is not adequately fulfilling its stewardship role in helping to ensure that the home and community care system has the capacity to meet the needs of the population," the report says.

Two FREE Public Events Next Week:

On Wednesday Nov. 5th:

Who's Minding the Store?
The privatization of long-term care and what it means for care quality

7:00PM
Unitarian Church - 949 W. 49th Avenue, Vancouver

With speakers:

Charlene Harrington, professor and researcher
Dr. Margaret McGregor, family physician and health services researcher
Lyne England, advocacy activist from Victoria

The Canadian Museum for Human Rights received a big boost to its fundraising campaign this week with a $170,000 donation on behalf of the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) and four of its Component unions.

The donation was announced at the 60th convention of the Manitoba Government and General Employees Union (MGEU/NUPGE) which was held October 24-25 in Winnipeg.

Generalvoting will be held on Wednesday, October 29 in 2 by-elections in theprovincial constituencies of Vancouver-Fairview and Vancouver-Burrard.  Polls are open that day from 8:00 am to 8:00pm.  HSA members who live in theseconstituencies are urged to vote in these critical by-elections. 

Section 74of the BC Election Act states thatemployees are entitled to 4 consecutive hours on October 29 for the purpose ofvoting.  Elections BC has provided thefollowing interpretation of this requirement: