from OTTAWA Rapport d’Ottawa

by/par Carol Hughes Federal member of Parliament Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing

Canada's treasured public health care system is feeling particularly strained right now. Hospitals are overcrowded, surgical wait lists are long,ERshaveclosedtheirdoorsduetowaittimes, and staffing levels aren't keeping up with the necessary demand,withBernieRobinson, Interim President of the Ontario Nurses' Association recently stating that in this province alone, we are 25,000nursesshort.

It's vital that the Federal government stop dragging its feet when it comes to responding to Provincial and Territorial health care needs to ensure that publicly funded health care is able to handle the current strain. This is an issue that has been discussed consistently for over a year, when the Premiers from across Canada asked the Prime Minister, in no uncertain terms, to sit at the table withthemtohammeroutanewdealforhealthcare delivery. While there is some positive indication thatanewhealthcaredealisintheworks,concerns remain regarding the failure of the government to defendourpublichealthsystem.

Oneofthemostsignificantissuesthathas been coming off the back of the health care crisis