MPs take polar views to privatize Canada’s health care system [Keith Martin for privatization and Carolyn Bennett for public system]
Opposition parties exploit it. Governments pledge to fix it. Polling researchers conclude that it is the primary concern to Canadians. The issue, of course, is Canada’s health care system — a system under tremendous strain since its conception 30 years ago. Today, Canada’s population is aging, medical technologies are more sophisticated, and the fiscal realities […]
Health minister talks about his challenges: NDP critic says health minister is losing battle for dollars at cabinet table
As Canada heads into the next millennium, and critics charge that the healthcare system is in disarray, Health Minister Allan Rock says he’s focused on one thing. He wants to modernize the medicare system “so that it is a true efficient healthcare system providing quality care.” In an interview with The Hill Times last week, […]
Health Protection Branch consults public on its role: Canadian Health Coalition lobbies against transition hearings
As the Health Protection Branch — the guardian of the foods we eat and pharmaceuticals we take — examines ways to “modernize” its role, critics warn that the outcome of this exercise will erode public safety and put the health of Canadians at risk. “The duty of the government to protect the public is at […]
Italian MPs score on House committees: Bevilacqua, Volpe and Guarnieri get some key Commons committee chairs
Members of the so-called Italian Liberal Caucus, once frustrated by being shut out of influential posts on Parliament Hill, have taken over the helm of three of the House’s top committees. Government backbencher Joe Volpe (Eglinton-Lawrence, Ont.) traded his Parliamentary secretaryship to the health minister to take over the Health Committee and Maurizio Bevilacqua (Vaughan-King-Aurora, […]
They get no respect: new report on political ethics has some simple advice for MPs [A Question of Ethics: Canadians Speak Out by Maureen Mancuso & Michael Atkinson]
Canada is not facing a true crisis of legitimacy, but public confidence in political leaders and in our democratic system is sagging, threatening to crumble our political structures which have been weakened by neglect and continued lapses of ethical judgment, says a recent report. But according to the extensive cross-country survey conducted by five political […]
Conservative MP expected to quit caucus [to run as candidate for Jean Charest’s Liberals in Quebec]
Quebec Tory MP Andr Harvey is expected to tell his caucus this week that he will step down to run as a “star” candidate for Jean Charest’s Liberals in Quebec later next month, leaving the Tory caucus with just 18 seats in the House of Commons. Mr. Harvey (Chicoutimi, Que.), the party’s whip, told The […]
Tories head into uncharted territory to elect leader on one person-one vote
Was that it? After almost three months in progress, during which — at times — it seemed to nearly fall off the national radar, the Tory leadership race grinds to a finish this weekend. There’s one more party event — speech night, to be held at the Harbour Castle in Toronto this Friday, on the […]
Federalists and separatists have same agenda: exploitation of federalism the real threat to unity of this country
There are three groups of citizens in this country: separatists, federalists and Canadians. To the first group belong all those whom, we are told, want to break up our country. To the second group belong those who anointed themselves our saviors from the first group. To the third group belong all the people, 96.7 per […]
Question period: Do you think Canada should have a Ken Starr?
“Well, I think we’re kind of fortunate not to have too many Ken Starrs in Canada. It seems to me, politics in the U.S. seems to be sinking to an all-time low. I’m certainly not saying that what President Clinton has done is in any way shape or form right. But it seems to have […]
Government tries to cover up evidence in APEC: access applications on PM’s involvement still remain unanswered
Prime Minister Jean Chr tien wants to lead Canadians into the millennium and beyond and go for a third term. But to many his recent actions show a leader disdainful of basic human rights that include the right to dissent and the public’s right to know. Just how much longer can his leadership based on […]
