NDP were first to promote pharmacare

Re: It’s time for Universal pharmacare — Nov. 23

The column argues in favour of such a plan in Canada as part of the public medicare program. The column didn’t mention the fact that the Ontario NDP announced some time ago that they would be pushing for such a program in the soon to be declared Ontario election. Shortly after the NDP’s announcement, the ruling Liberals announced that they would be promoting a watered-down version of pharmacare in Ontario, without mentioning the watered down part of their plan.

The Ontario Health Coalition has been touring Ontario for the past three or four years, warning of the steady privatization of medical care in the province by the Liberal government. Now the Liberals tell us they are going to create community health facilities that will combine private clinics into new private facilities. Of course, citizens will confuse these new facilities with our present Community Care Access Centres, which are an excellent part of our medicare program and whose services are free.

There has been no public consultation on the Ontario government’s Bill 160, which includes 10 pieces of health related legislation. The Liberals have torn a page from Stephen Harper’s book in imposing a complex omnibus bill that will foist an array of unwanted and costly programs on Ontarians. Next year will be the 50th anniversary of medicare in Canada. Unfortunately, the Liberal and Conservative parties will continue to do their best to turn back the clock for medical care in which the users will have to pay again, as in the not so good old days.

Medicare in Canada was a hard-won and valuable service to all Canadians, but is again under attack by those who wish to profit from the sickness of others. Alan Rimmer Kitchener