National Issues/Federal-Provincial Relations Media Releases
RELEASE: Left unchallenged, “create a crisis and privatize” provincial schemes will destroy public health care: Health Coalition called on Trudeau to step up and show real leadership
(February 7, 2023) Toronto – For decades the Ontario Health Coalition has been on the front line of the fight to safeguard public health care against privatization and to protect patients from extra-billing. Few have followed the behaviour of the private clinics in Canada more closely. Today, the Coalition warned that the unprecedented health care […]
Read MoreRELEASE: Health Coalitions warn health funding without strings is not in the public interest: Federal health dollars must come with accountability and national standards
(December 16, 2022) As Canada’s premiers and the federal NDP ramp up the pressure on the Trudeau government, Health Coalitions across Canada are demanding that any increase in public health funding be used in the public interest and not be used to privatize health care. The Health Coalitions support the call for a long-term increase […]
Read MoreRELEASE: Health Coalitions denounce for-profit deal by Canadian Blood Services that endangers Canada’s Blood Supply
(September 20, 2022) OTTAWA (the traditional and unceded territory of the Anishinabe Algonquin people) – Canada’s provincial and territorial Health Coalitions and the Canadian Health Coalition call for the resignation of the leadership of the Canadian Blood Services (CBS) including the CEO and Board of Directors. This call comes after the appalling decision by CBS […]
Read MoreRELEASE: Provincial Health Coalitions Put Federal Parties on Notice: Canadians Demand Real Action to Fix Long-Term Care
(August 19, 2021) (Canada-wide) – With a federal election called for September 20, provincial Health Coalitions across Canada are putting all federal political parties on notice. The federal government could have already set real national standards for long-term care in legislation or an emergency federal-provincial-territorial funding accord with sufficient funding attached to leverage real change. […]
Read MoreEVENT: Demand Our Federal and Provincial Governments Set National Standards to Improve Long-Term Care
(April 22, 2021) Join the National Day of Action Tuesday, April 27, 2021 HOW YOU CAN JOIN: The Day of Action will roll across Canada through the different time zones. On Tuesday April 27 Join our Facebook livestream in Ontario at 12:00 p.m. here: https://www.facebook.com/ontariohealth Or join the Facebook livestream at https://www.facebook.com/Canadians4LTC to watch the rolling livestreams hosted by […]
Read MoreRELEASE, BRIEFING NOTE & LEGAL OPINION: Advocates Representing More Than 1 Million Canadians Call For National Standards to Improve Quality, Accountability and Take Profit Out of Long-Term Care
(March 22, 2021) Click here for the legal opinion on national standards. The media release and briefing note can be found below. Legal Opinion on National Standards Media Release Ottawa/Across Canada – Today, advocates representing more than a million Canadians came together to demand that the federal government and provinces work together to establish national […]
Read MoreRELEASE: Health Coalitions call for Federal Leadership to Defend Public Health Care
(January 25, 2021) (Ottawa) Seven health coalitions, representing concerned Canadians from PEI to British Columbia, are calling for stronger federal action on health care ahead of Monday’s opening of Parliament. Canada’s universal, public health care system requires federal vision and leadership. Health coalitions across Canada recognize the federal government’s extraordinary contribution of resources and support […]
Read MoreRELEASE: Health Coalitions Call for Increased Federal Health Care Funding and Accountability
(December 10, 2020) Ottawa, December 10, 2020- Canada’s premiers are meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to request an increase to federal funding for health care. Health coalitions from across the country support the call for a long-term increase to the Canada Health Transfer (CHT). This funding must be accompanied by a robust accountability framework […]
Read MoreRELEASE: Throne Speech: Premiers Should Not Play Partisan Politics with Health Care; Concrete Commitments Needed From Provincial & Federal Governments
(September 29, 2020) Health Coalitions across Canada were pleased with Throne Speech promises to expand public health care to create a universal comprehensive public pharmacare program and to set national standards for long-term care. However, concrete commitments are conspicuously absent. As reported in the speech, more than 9,000 Canadians have died in the last six […]
Read MoreRELEASE: Victory for Patients Over Private Clinics in B.C. Court Challenge: Historic Victory Against Profit-Driven Health Care
(September 10, 2020) Toronto – A ten-year legal attack launched by one of the largest private for-profit surgical centres in Canada seeking to strike down key protections for single-tier health care has reached a critical juncture. Today a B.C. Court ruled on the case upholding the provisions in British Columbia law that protect our system […]
Read MoreRELEASE: Health Coalitions’ Joint Statement on COVID-19 and Public Health Care
(March 24, 2020) Please find below an urgent call upon governments at every level in Canada to build capacity in the public health care, expand equity, and resist privatization in the face of COVID-19 from Provincial, Territorial and National Health Coalitions representing more than a million Canadians. Printable version is attached below. Deeply concerned about […]
Read MoreOpen Letter
This letter calls upon our provincial, territorial and federal Health Ministers to uphold the Canada Health Act and stop private clinics extra billing and charging two-tier user fees to the patient for health care. Click here to read the letter in English and sign on. Click here to see the full list of organizations that […]
Read MoreRELEASE: Ontario Election 2018 Health Care Resources
Click on each heading for Ontario election resources: **New Leaflet inside (note: if printing use legal size paper) Leaflet outside (note: if printing used legal size paper) Election Platform- top issues and “asks” for our political parties Media Release Provincial Election Platform release Health Care Questions for Candidates All Candidates’ Meetings Media coverage of Health […]
Read MoreACTION UPDATE: Pharmacare Ontario Tour
(February 22, 2018) Over the next few months, the Ontario Health Coalition will join the Canadian Labour Congress in the Ontario leg of a national tour to more than 25 communities. Featuring Canada’s foremost pharmacare experts and advocates, these important discussions will address why we need a prescription drug plan that covers all Canadians. Click […]
Read MoreRELEASE & REPORT: The Elephant at the Health Ministers’ Meetings: How Will Provinces Cope with $31 Billion Cut
(October 18, 2017) New National Report Outlines the Huge Cost of the Failed Health Accord As Health Ministers from across Canada meet in Edmonton today, Canada’s Health Coalitions released a report showing the recent bilateral health schemes pushed through by the Trudeau government have come at a huge cost. The report “Health Accord Breakdown: Costs […]
Read MoreRELEASE: Health Care Advocates Dismayed with Ottawa’s Divide and Conquer Tactics: Hopes for a Canadian Health Accord Dashed as Provinces Signs Deal
(March 10, 2017) Toronto/Ottawa/Edmonton: The Ontario, Quebec and Alberta governments, which had initially held out for better, were compelled to sign onto a bilateral health funding deal with Ottawa today. In the federal election, the Trudeau government promised to break with the high-handed approach of the previous Harper government and negotiate a new Health Accord […]
Read MoreRELEASE: CIHI/Commonwealth Fund study on health: the good the bad and what’s missing
(February 16, 2017) In the Canadian Institute for Health Information’s spin-off report from the annual Commonwealth Fund International Health Survey of 11 countries released today, Canada fared pretty well. Though the Canadian Institute for Health Information led its media messaging with wait times, it should be noted that the study ranks Canada at or above […]
Read MoreMEDIA CONFERENCE: Canada’s Health Coalitions Call for a United Health Accord Federal Government Must Return to the Negotiation Table
(February 9, 2017) The Ontario Health Coalition was joined by provincial and territorial health coalitions across Canada in media conferences to decry the federal government’s decision to walk away from the table on negotiating a new Health Accord for Canada. The current bilateral deals pushed through by the federal government and some provinces and territories […]
Read MoreRELEASE: As Prime Minister Trudeau meets with First Ministers, Health Coalition calls for both sides to give ground to forge a new Health Accord in the public interest
(December 9, 2016) In advance of tonight’s dinner discussion on health care between the provincial-territorial Premiers and the Prime Minister, the Ontario Health Coalition called out both sides for their intransigence and advocated a new Health Accord forged in the public interest. For months, provincial premiers and the federal government have been at odds over […]
Read MoreUPDATE: Giant Teddy Bear Brings Message of Compassion to London
(October 18, 2016) We Can’t “Bear” To Lose Medicare!! The London Health Coalition is launching a Care Bear Tour today on Tuesday, October 18th. With a giant teddy bear, aptly nicknamed “Tommy”, the coalition seeks to convey the message that care (not profit) must be the centre of our public health care system. Their goal […]
Read MoreRELEASE: As Health Ministers from Across Canada Meet to Negotiate Health Accord
(October 17, 2016) Months of sparring in the media may come to an end this week as Health Ministers from across Canada meet to discuss a new Health Accord. This morning, representatives of the Canadian & Ontario Health Coalitions, Canadian Doctors for Medicare and the Council of Canadians gathered outside the King Edward hotel where […]
Read MoreRELEASE: Protect Public Medicare as first priority, as Canada’s Health Ministers gather to meet in Vancouver: Health Advocates
(January 19, 2016) Toronto/Vancouver – Urgent action must be taken to safeguard equal health care for all as a first priority as Health Ministers from across Canada gather in Vancouver this week, say advocates from the public health care watchdog the Ontario Health Coalition. “We are seeing an alarming increase in user fees charged to […]
Read MoreFederal Election 2015 – Vote Health Care!
(October 2, 2015) Canadians share a deeply held belief that access to health care should not be based on how rich we are, but on our medical need. Most of us believe that our government will not purposely destroy public health care. But privatization is a serious threat and it would dismantle health care for […]
Read MoreRELEASE: User fees threatened for patients across Canada if court challenge negotiations fail to uphold Medicare
(September 29, 2014) At a press conference this morning, speakers Natalie Mehra, Executive Director of the Ontario Health Coalition, Dr. Rupinder Brar, Board Member of Canadian Doctors for Medicare, Dr. Ryan Meili, Vice-Chair of Canadian Doctors for Medicare and Steven Shrybman, LL.B., Partner, Sack Goldblatt Mitchell raise the alarm about the threat of user fees […]
Read MoreUpdate: Over 2000 Attend Mass Rally to Demand Federal Leadership in Health Care
(July 16, 2013) Update: Over 2000 Attend Mass Rally to Demand Federal Leadership in Health Care Many thanks to everyone for coming out to last week’s Shadow Summit and Mass Rally to Uphold National Public Medicare and win a Renewed Health Accord in 2014. More than 2000 people came out to call on the Premiers […]
Read MoreNational Day of Action for a 2014 Health Accord a success!
(July 19, 2012) Over 75 people came out to participate in the National Day of Action for a 2014 Health Accord held on Wednesday July 18 at Riverdale Park East in Toronto, despite the extreme heat.
Read MoreNEWSLETTER: “The Pulse” OHC Newsletter and Action Alert
(May-June 2011) The May 2011 issue of The Pulse includes news about a new OHC report that finds 10,000 people are waiting for home care, the hospital secrecy law, how the Canada-Europe Free Trade deal (CETA) could negatively impact the health care system, a review of Colin Leys’ new book “The Plot Against the NHS” […]
Read MoreFederal Election Action Alert: Health Care Checklist
(March 22, 2011) In the upcoming federal election issues pertaining to public health care are crucial.
Read MoreMessage to Members: Pharmacies and Lobby Information
(May 30, 2006) Click here for Information
Read MoreRELEASE: Ontario Health Coalition Supports Drug Legislation
(May 29, 2006) Drug legislation will contain escalating drug costs without harming patients. Click here for Media Release
Read MoreUPDATE: Urgent Alert: Drug Bill (Bill 102) Update and Model Response
(May 28, 2006) Click here for Update
Read MoreUPDATE: First Ministers’ Meeting Negotiation Update
(September 14, 2004) The Ontario Health Coalition and the Ontario Federation of Labour have released an update this morning. Click here for Update
Read MoreEVENTS: First Ministers’ under Public Scrutiny: Concerned Citizens Cross-Ontario Plan Health Care “Watch” Events
(September 14, 2004) The OHC is on the watch while the PM and provincial premiers meet to discuss health care from September 13-15. Click here for Events
Read MoreAction Alert! First Ministers’ Meeting Negotiation – Federal Action Item
(September 2004) Contact Prime Minister Martin and Health Minister Donsanjh with an important message. Click here for Action Alert
Read MoreAction Alert! First Ministers’ Meeting Negotiation – Ontario Action Item
(September 2004) Contact Premier McGuinty and remind him of what the public demands of him on health care. Click here for Action Alert
Read MoreRELEASE: Where’s It Going? Ontario Health Coalition Responds to Budget
(March 28, 2003) Click here for Media Release
Read MoreRELEASE: Eves Guilty of Hidden Money, Misspending
(February 4, 2003) Click here for Media Release
Read MoreRELEASE: Citizens’ Groups Issue Collective Call: “Implement Romanow Now!”
(December 6, 2002) Click here for Media Release
Read MoreRELEASE: Banff Health Ministers’ Meeting
(September 4, 2002) Click here for Media Release
Read MoreRELEASE: Over One Hundred Thousand So Far Have Signed “Yes” for Public Medicare Petition
(May 30, 2002) Click here for Media Release
Read MoreUPDATE: “The Pulse” – Canadians Speak Out to Save Public Medicare! Overwhelming Majority Support Public Medicare as Romanow Crosses the Country
(March 25, 2002) Click here for Update
Read MoreRELEASE: Coalition Appeals to Romanow: Learn What Not to Do from Ontario
(February 6, 2002) Click here for Media Release
Read MoreRELEASE: Slamming Ontario’s Medicare Record: Coalition Calls for Decisive Federal Action
(September 11, 2000) Click here for Media Release
Read MoreLETTER: to Chretien Regarding First Ministers’ Meeting Health Care Proposals
(September 8, 2000) Click here for Letter
Read MoreRELEASE: Prime Minister Blasted for Inaction on Alberta’s Private Hospitals’ Legislation
(May 10, 2000) Click here for Media Release
Read MoreRELEASE: Demonstration in Toronto at Allan Rock’s Office Part of Coast-to-Coast Action to Preserve Medicare
(March 6, 2000) Click here for Media Release
Read MoreLETTER: to Chretien Regarding Alberta’s Proposal to Contract with For-Profit Hospitals
(February 3, 2000) Click here for Letter
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