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Issues, Campaigns and Government Relations

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Week one of the election campaign

An election campaign is no time to discuss serious issues: that famous line from the 1993 federal election seemed, to a large extent, the main truth of the first week of the 2008 federal election campaign. Watching the reports from the hustings, Canadian working families are, with reason, asking themselves the most political question of all: whats in it for us?

Saving public health care

The BC Health Coalition, Council of Canadians and Parksville Qualicum KAIROS is hosting two public forums on saving public health care.

The events feature best-selling author and activist Holly Dressel, who recently published Who Killed the Queen? The Story of a Community Hospital and How to Fix Health Care. The book investigates the sustainability of Canadian health care and what it offers compared to other countries' health care systems.

Remember the origin of Labour Day

Today we take paid holidays, safe work places, medical care, unemployment insurance, fair hours, union wages and 'the weekend' for granted. But how many of these advances would have happened if it were not for the long-forgotten heroes who fought so hard to make unions, and Labour Day, a reality in the first place?

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Next Up: A leadership program for young people

Are you a 19- to 30-year-old who wonders what the future holds for the world? Are you concerned about things like climate change, poverty, public health and education, housing and trade policy? Do you believe that global and local issues are connected? Do you feel that our economic system is focused on profit at the expense of people and the planet? Do you believe that it is possible for us, as communities, to do things differently at home and abroad, to eradicate poverty, to deal with conflict peacefully, for everyone to have access to good public health and education services?

Unions launch legal challenge against election gag law

Lawyers representing seven BC unions filed documents and launched a legal challenge July 23 against Bill 42.

Bill 42 originally attempted to restrict third party election advertising for five full months before the next provincial election. Following widespread criticism, Bill 42 was amended but still goes far beyond any similar laws in the country and essentially shuts off all third party election advertising for three months before the next election.

Tentative agreement for 11,000 HSAA members in Alberta

Three-year proposal contains increases totalling at least 14.5%, plus lump sum payments, new flexible spending accounts and improved benefits

Edmonton (9 July 2008) - The Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA/NUPGE) is conducting a ratification vote on a tentative three-year agreement affecting more than 11,000 paramedical professional and technical employees across the province.

HSA Political Action Fund available to support members running or working in November municipal election

HSA Political Action Fund available to support members running or working in November municipal election

HSA members who are running for municipal office, or working on campaigns to elect candidates for local government positions, can apply to HSA for the following financial support from HSAs Political Action Fund:

1. Members who are candidates can apply for up to 5 days of wage replacement and/or up to $200 to cover approved personal expenses incurred to run for office. 

Coalition puts spotlight on secret government drug deals

Groups representing seniors, consumers and labour say access to affordable medicines threatened in Canada

Ottawa (3 July 2008) - A coalition of groups representing seniors, consumers and labour is investigating a trend among provincial governments toward signing secret tender agreements with pharmaceutical companies.

A research report released Thursday by Aidan Hollis, an economist at the University of Calgarys Institute for Advanced Policy Research, suggests that the coalition has legitimate cause to worry.