Tag Archives: Natalie Mehra

Ontario Health Coalition forums head north this week

Posted on May 28, 2012 | 2 comments

The Ontario Health Coalition heads north this week, hosting community forums in Matheson (Monday), Sault Ste. Marie (Wednesday), Thunder Bay (Thursday) and Kenora (Saturday).

The forums discuss the impact of the provincial spring budget on the future of health care delivery in Ontario.

Trish Hennessy

Trish Hennessy

Trish Hennessy, a director with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, joins OPSEU’s Mary Cory, ONA’s Diane Parker, CAW’s Kari Jefford and OHC Director Natalie Mehra Thursday night in Thunder Bay.

A former journalist, Hennessy is director of the CCPA’s income inequality project, which specializes in research on the growing gap between the rich and the rest of us. She has a BSW from Carleton University and a Master’s degree in Sociology from OISE/University of Toronto.

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Coalition forums continue this week in Kingston, Cornwall and Ottawa

Posted on May 22, 2012 | Leave a comment

Dennis Howlett, coordinator of Canadians for Tax Fairness, will be at all three public health care forums this week in Eastern Ontario. The forums are hosted by the Ontario Health Coalition.

Given the focus on debt, deficit and public sector job cuts, much of the media coverage has overlooked the impact of the provincial budget on Ontario’s health care system. The March provincial budget slowed funding further than most had predicted, leading to concerns about longer waits, crowded ERs and the delisting of some health services.

As coordinator of CFTF, Howlett is building a national campaign to promote fair taxation. CFTF believes the tax system should be reformed to fund the comprehensive, high-quality network of public services and programs required to meet our social, economic and environmental needs in the 21st century.

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Ontario budget “Republican-lite” — Roth

Posted on May 16, 2012 | 2 comments

Ontario’s deficits have more to do with unsustainable tax cuts than they do with public spending says Dr. Reuben Roth, a Laurentian University sociologist.

Roth was speaking Tuesday night in Oshawa as part of a province-wide series of town hall meetings hosted by the Ontario Health Coalition.

“Ontario is no Greece and no Spain,” says Roth, “but we inherited two structural deficits from the Harris government.”

Laurentian University's Reuben Roth with Natalie Mehra

Laurentian University’s Reuben Roth with Natalie Mehra

Roth explains that tax cuts and high unemployment have contributed to the current deficit – neither of which are the result of spending on health care and public services.

Roth says the government even brags that Ontario spends the least on program spending than any other province in Canada.

“If we are the lowest, then why cut more?” he asks.

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Public left out of major policy decisions: business elite backdrop for announcements

Posted on January 27, 2012 | Leave a comment

When was the last time a major policy announcement was made by government in front of an audience of union members?

On Monday Health Minister Deb Matthews is expected to make a major announcement on health restructuring before the Toronto Board of Trade. Earlier this week Premier Dalton McGuinty made a similar speech before the Canadian Club of Toronto.

With no legislative committees operating at Queen’s Park due a disagreement among the parties as to their composition, Ontario is about to undergo a major restructuring of public services with little to no public input.

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Roy Romanow to speak at CHC event Nov 30 in Ottawa

Posted on November 18, 2011 | Leave a comment

Roy Romanow, the former Chair fo the Commission of the Future of Health in Canada, will be the keynote speaker November 30 at a free Canadian Health Coalition event in Ottawa.

The two-hour event at the Fairmount Chateau Laurier includes two panel discussions, one looking at threats to Medicare, the other looking at what the way forward should be.

Globe and Mail health reporter Andre Picard will moderate the panel discussions.

Panelists include Diana Gibson (Parkland Institute, Alberta); Dr. Marie- Claude Goulet (Médecins Québécois pour le Régime Public); Allan Maslove and  Marc-André Gagnon (Carleton University School of Public Policy and Administration); Natalie Mehra (Ontario Health Coalition); John Abbott (Health Council of Canada); and Dr. Michael Rachlis (Independent policy analyst) and Sharon Scholzberg-Gray (Past-President Canadian Healthcare Association).

This event takes place in the Adam Room of the Chateau Laurier in Ottawa. Not in Ottawa? You can watch it streamed live at http://healthcoalition.ca . To register to attend this free event, e-mail brad@healthcoalition.ca or call 819-770-1626.

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Video: Occupy Toronto Day 1

Posted on October 15, 2011 | 1 comment

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Competition for home care contracts blocks information sharing and coordination — OHC

Posted on October 6, 2011 | Leave a comment

The Executive Director of the Ontario Home Care Association recently wrote to the Toronto Star making claims about home care agencies being more accountable and transparent. Sue VanderBent also says home care agencies have better client service indicators than ever before. Of course, those who are having difficulty accessing home care in Ontario may beg to differ on the question of access and quality. Natalie Mehra, Executive Director of the Ontario Health Coalition replies to VanderBent below:

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Thousands march on Queen’s Park to protect health care

Posted on September 13, 2011 | Leave a comment

TORONTO – September 13 labour and community groups stood up for health care, marching past Toronto’s “hospital row” and rallying on the lawn of the Ontario legislature.

Singing, dancing and remembering those who died unnecessarily — speakers vowed to make politicians accountable during this election.

Sponsored by the Ontario Health Coalition, buses brought activists from across the province to the rally. A moment of silence was observed for those who had recently died during Ontario’s C Difficle outbreak.

OPSEU 2nd Vice-President Nancy Pridham was among labour leaders who joined community activists on the speaker’s podium.

To watch a five minute video of the two-hour event, click on the box below. And please share!

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