[JimmyD]

The Green Party would ensure that the Canada Health Act applies to all provinces equally and is enforced.

Quebec is home to the largest number of private medical clinics in Canada, a troubling trend that threatens the very existence of public health care in the country, said Green Party of Canada leader Jim Harris.

"The business magazine Affaires Plus trumpets the fact that Montreal is the private health care capital of Canada," said Harris. "Let me be very clear: This is not good news. What is happening in Quebec, as well as in several other provinces, is the thin edge of a wedge that will create two health care systems in Canada: one for the rich, and one for the poor."

"The Green Party is opposed to two-tier care. We're not partially opposed. We're not opposed on alternate days only or only for certain illnesses. We're opposed, point finale."

The number of private general practice clinics in Quebec has increased threefold since 2000. This proliferation has been left unabated thanks largely to a federal government that doesn't want to be seen as picking a fight with the province.

As well, the recent Supreme Court decision striking down the law banning medical insurance in the province, which was a divisive 4-3 ruling, has emboldened those who would like to see private health care in Canada. This includes American insurance companies, who see the health and well being of Canadians as an excellent business opportunity.

As the Quebec case demonstrates, the private care problem is self-perpetuating. As more physicians and nursing staff go to the private sector, the weaker the public system becomes. As private care spreads, hospital waiting times increase.

"Health care is a provincial matter, and the problem has to be dealt with at a provincial level," Mr. Harris said. As such, it would be up to the individual provinces to deal with existing private clinics. The Green Party of Canada would ensure, however, that the Canada Health Act applies to all provinces equally and is enforced. The Canadian public health care system deserves nothing less.

The Green Party of Canada is the only national party that has a plan to deal with the problem of private health care, which included urging Quebec to invoke the notwithstanding clause in the Supreme Court decision last winter. The party will issue a detailed health care plan later in the campaign.

[FuzzyEarlobes]

JimmyD JimmyD:

The Green Party would ensure that the Canada Health Act applies to all provinces equally and is enforced.

Quebec is home to the largest number of private medical clinics in Canada, a troubling trend that threatens the very existence of public health care in the country, said Green Party of Canada leader Jim Harris.

"The business magazine Affaires Plus trumpets the fact that Montreal is the private health care capital of Canada," said Harris. "Let me be very clear: This is not good news. What is happening in Quebec, as well as in several other provinces, is the thin edge of a wedge that will create two health care systems in Canada: one for the rich, and one for the poor."

"The Green Party is opposed to two-tier care. We're not partially opposed. We're not opposed on alternate days only or only for certain illnesses. We're opposed, point finale."

The number of private general practice clinics in Quebec has increased threefold since 2000. This proliferation has been left unabated thanks largely to a federal government that doesn't want to be seen as picking a fight with the province.

As well, the recent Supreme Court decision striking down the law banning medical insurance in the province, which was a divisive 4-3 ruling, has emboldened those who would like to see private health care in Canada. This includes American insurance companies, who see the health and well being of Canadians as an excellent business opportunity.

As the Quebec case demonstrates, the private care problem is self-perpetuating. As more physicians and nursing staff go to the private sector, the weaker the public system becomes. As private care spreads, hospital waiting times increase.

"Health care is a provincial matter, and the problem has to be dealt with at a provincial level," Mr. Harris said. As such, it would be up to the individual provinces to deal with existing private clinics. The Green Party of Canada would ensure, however, that the Canada Health Act applies to all provinces equally and is enforced. The Canadian public health care system deserves nothing less.

The Green Party of Canada is the only national party that has a plan to deal with the problem of private health care, which included urging Quebec to invoke the notwithstanding clause in the Supreme Court decision last winter. The party will issue a detailed health care plan later in the campaign.

Unfortunately I think the Greens are going to be the real losers in this election. My sense is a lot more people are going to be voting against other parties than for the one that represents their values best.

[BartSimpson]

That's nice. I call for an end to the Green Party.

[FuzzyEarlobes]

BartSimpson BartSimpson:

That's nice. I call for an end to the Green Party.

An end to the Greens would probably mean less seats for the CPC.

[BartSimpson]

FuzzyEarlobes FuzzyEarlobes:

BartSimpson BartSimpson:

That's nice. I call for an end to the Green Party.

An end to the Greens would probably mean less seats for the CPC.

The CPC should get along on its own without the Commies.

[ridenrain]

Sadly, the Greens & the NDP can say anything they want because they do not have a hope in hell of being the government.

The Fiberals will also say anything they want, but that is a whole other problem.

[FuzzyEarlobes]

Keep in mind the Reform came out of nothing and the PC party was nothing for a decade. Things can easily change.

[PluggyRug]

Please don't get me going about the Green 'changing daily' agenda.

There isn't a fence large enough for them to sit on.

[Thematic-Device]

Because if we keep some people from getting better healthcare then everyone will be better off! This logic is amazing

[BartSimpson]

Thematic-Device Thematic-Device:

Because if we keep some people from getting better healthcare then everyone will be better off! This logic is amazing

Unknown Unknown:

Capitalism is the unequal distribution of wealth. Socialism is the equal
distribution of poverty.

And the Greens are proving the truth of this.

[hwacker]

end private health care, PM looses his doctor, he dies.

Ok I'm all for the green party till the 22nd of Jan.

[FuzzyEarlobes]

That's true. The Greens have forced the other parties to take more notice on Environmental issues. Their support may be wide and shallow, but they have achieved official party status. Perhaps if we did get electoral reform, some of the issues would become more than talk.

[Toro]

BartSimpson BartSimpson:

That's nice. I call for an end to the Green Party.

No, no. The Green Party is fabulous. They tend to draw voters who wouldn't vote Tory anyways.

Go Green Party!

Where do I make a donation?