Jason MacLean elected Chairperson of Canadian Health Coalition

Canada’s national public health coalition has chosen Jason MacLean to serve as its chairperson, the first person of colour to lead the Canadian Health Coalition since its founding in 1979. MacLean was elected this month by coalition members comprising frontline health care workers’ unions, community groups, students, and public health experts.

“Our coalition works to ensure everyone in Canada has universal access to public health care,” said MacLean. “We know some people face greater barriers than others – especially if you are racialized, lower income, or live in a marginalized community.”

Outgoing chairperson Pauline Worsfold, RN, said MacLean is the right person to confront the challenges facing public health care. “Jason will bring people together to defend and expand our cherished Medicare, especially when privatization poses the greatest risk to public health care since the establishment of the Canada Health Act over 40 years ago,” she said.

Jason MacLean is Secretary-Treasurer of the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE), representing more than 150,000 health care workers. Originally from Cape Breton, he also served as president of the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union (NSGEU) from 2016 until his election to NUPGE in 2022.

MacLean joined other labour and patient groups recently in Parliament calling for the swift passage of Bill C-64, the Pharmacare Act.

“One in five people reported to Statistic Canada they do not have access to prescription drug coverage,” he said at the press conference. “Low-wage workers, immigrants, and racialized people are hit hardest.”