Frontline health care workers bore the brunt of this unnecessary election
The 44th general election left no big winners, but there were plenty of people who lost: Canada’s frontline health care workers.
The Prime Minister’s political gamble distracted the attention of governments from the unrelenting COVID-19 pandemic and preventing the terrible toll of its fourth wave on overworked, stressed-out health care workers.
Worse, the needlessly polarizing election unleashed shocking “anti-vaxx” protests directed at exhausted and dispirited health care workers and their patients outside hospitals.
Worse, the needlessly polarizing election unleashed shocking “anti-vaxx” protests directed at exhausted and dispirited health care workers and their patients outside hospitals.
The situation is so dire, nurses organized a Canada-wide day of action just days before the election, issuing a distress call to governments.
The Prime Minister sought a Parliamentary majority from the election. Voters supported his government’s direction, but were unconvinced Justin Trudeau would get the job done without pressure and support from other parties in a minority government.
Fortunately, Canadians elected New Democrats in sufficient numbers to play a key role in pressing the Liberals to deliver on their campaign promises. The two parties can support the Canada Health Act, improve long-term care through legislated national standards and funding, deliver the oft-promised universal public pharmacare program, and stop privatization.
The other parties can contribute as well. There is a cross-party consensus in favour of increased federal health funding. But this cannot be unconditional as the Bloc Québécois expects, nor can for-profit and privatization be allowed to continue and expand, as the Conservatives want.
We urge the government to appoint a Cabinet and bring back Parliament as soon as possible so frontline health workers and patients get the support they need.
The Canadian Health Coalition, speaking as a voice for frontline health care workers, allies and experts, will work with all Parliamentarians who want to support and expand our world-renown universal, public system. We urge the government to appoint a Cabinet and bring back Parliament as soon as possible so frontline health workers and patients get the support they need, and we can move forward with these urgent priorities.
Pauline Worsfold, RN
Chairperson of the Canadian Health Coalition
