Council of Canadians denounces Harper decision to kill the Health Council of Canada

MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 16, 2013

The Council of Canadians is appalled, but sadly not shocked, by the federal government’s plans to cut the Health Council of Canada.

“The Harper government continues to show its contempt for evidence by cutting the Health Council of Canada,” says Adrienne Silnicki, Health Care Campaigner with the Council of Canadians. “The Health Council produced factual reports that offered Canadians a picture of what health care looks like across our country, in remote areas, and to vulnerable populations. Their research showed that Canadians are being abandoned by the Harper government when they need care most. It’s no surprise Harper wants them gone.”

The Health Council of Canada was established in 2003 and 2004 after recommendations by thousands of Canadians through the Romanow Report on Canadian Health Care. The Council of Canadians travelled across the country during Roy Romanow’s investigations on health care and listened to the calls for more transparency, accountability and equity in our health care system.

“We fought and won a difficult battle in 2003 to ensure transparency in health care by building support for the Health Council of Canada,” says Maude Barlow, National Chairperson of the Council of Canadians. “With the stroke of a pen, the Harper government is trying to kill public health care. The federal government underestimates Canadians’ dedication to universal health care. We will fight back. The next federal election is not far off.”

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For more information or to arrange interviews :

Dylan Penner, 613-795-8685, dpenner@canadians.org
Twitter: @CouncilOfCDNs

NT3