On March 31, 2014, the 2004 Canadian Health Accord expired.

The Health Accord is a negotiated agreement between provincial and federal governments, which outlines the funding from the federal government to the provinces for health care spending.

The current Federal Government has declined to negotiate a new agreement. Instead, they have chosen to impose their health care funding cuts on all provinces.

This is a “take it or leave it” proposition, which will cut 36 Billion dollars from healthcare spending across the country over the next ten years.

This will mean more than 1.3 Billion dollars less for Manitoba alone.

We know that our health care system is already stretched to the limit. If left unchanged, this decision by the federal conservatives will have catastrophic effects on our public health care system. It will inevitably lead to the dismantling of the Public system that we all believe in so strongly.

We stand with all Canadians in the belief that health care should be strong, universal, freely accessible, and publically funded.

A system which ensures not just adequate care, but exceptional care for everyone.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees is speaking up.  They are calling on the current Federal Government to negotiate a new accord with all provinces and territories; one which provides stable and reliable funding for the long term protection and expansion of Medicare for all Canadians.

CUPE has started a coalition campaign to protect, strengthen, and expand public health care for all Canadians, and they would love to have you as a partner!

Here’s what you can do to participate:

• Attend the upcoming town hall event on Thursday, April 17th at the CanadInn Club Regent Hotel 1415 Regent Ave W, in Ambassador Room C/D.
• Sign up for a workshop.
• Talk to your family, your friends and your neighbors.  Share this message with everyone you can!

The Town Hall meeting will feature keynote speakers Paul Moist, CUPE National President, and Maude Barlow, National Chairwoman for the Council of Canadians.

This will be an in depth discussion on what these cuts mean for health care, and what we can do about them! Followed by an opportunity to hear from, and discuss the issues with those in attendance.

This event is free and open to the public! Please come out, and listen, ask questions, and tell your story.
CUPE, in conjunction with the Council of Canadians, will be offering training and canvassing sessions throughout April and May, which are free, and open to any and all Manitobans who wish to take part.  They will be held at a variety of times and locations.

The workshops will be approximately 2 hours in length and covers the details of the issue, why it’s important, and how to talk about it with the public.  It will be followed by an opportunity to take participants out into the riding of Elmwood-Transcona for an hour to drop fliers and speak one on one with people to raise awareness of the challenge to get our elected officials to listen to Canadians on this issue.

If you would like a comprehensive list of available dates, to find one that works for you, please contact the organizers (contact info is below) and we will happily forward the calendar along.

Please, take a few minutes to forward this message on to all of your Manitoba friends. It will make a world of difference.

Public healthcare matters to EVERYONE!

Please rsvp should you, or anyone you know, be interested in attending these events.  Help us ensure that our public health care system remains healthy!

” We cannot stand still. We can either go back, or we can go forward. The choice we make today will decide the future of Medicare in Canada”
– Tommy Douglas

Ric McAlpine
cupe1973@gmail.com
204-296-9109

Ryan McRae
ryanthomasmcrae@hotmail.ca

If you would like to learn more about this issue, please visit our website at
saveourhealthcare.ca