REGINA, Sask. — In conjunction with the start of the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour convention in Regina, union members staged a noon-hour rally at the legislature on public health care.
Hundreds of workers representing the Saskatchewan Health Coalition, as well as unions including CUPE, SEIU-West, SUN and others, were bused to the rally from the convention taking place at the REAL District this week.
At the legislature, they called for the protection of universal public health care in Saskatchewan and across Canada, with speakers denouncing two-tier care and the erosion of publicly funded health care.
Jason MacLean, chair of the Canadian Health Coalition, said the federal government needed to hear the message as well.
“We’ve been trying to compel Carney to come forward and enforce the Canada Health Act. He hasn’t so far. But he needs to hear that loud and clear because we’re continuing to put the pressure on him so he does deduct dollar for dollar.”
He was critical of Alberta Premier Danielle Smith as he decried Alberta-style private clinics. He then pointed to Premier Scott Moe.
“He’s going to try and bring it here,” MacLean said. He asked the crowd: “are we going to let him bring it here?” To which the crowd responded “No!”
The crowd frequently broke into chants of “No Moe” and “No Two Tier.” Speakers also called for a fair deal for frontline health-care workers who are currently negotiating with provincial negotiators from the Saskatchewan Association of Health Organizations.
The rally comes just days before the legislature is due to return to session on Oct. 27, when health care is expected to again be a hot topic.
