BC Health Coalition: Public Health Care Advocates Take Issues to All-Candidates' Meetings Across B.C.

"Health care is the top of mind issue this election and our federal candidates would be wise to stake clear positions that demonstrate how they will strengthen and protect public health care," said BC Health Coalition co-chair Alice Edge at last night's debate in Colwood in the riding of Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca.

Health care advocates were also in attendance at yesterday's debates at the Campbell River Seniors' Centre (Vancouver Island-North) and Whalley Legion Hall (Surrey-North). Candidates there also fielded questions and concerns about growing health care privatization.

"B.C. is ground zero for health care privatization in Canada and British Columbians are tired of hearing the sustainability myth - we know public health care is affordable and it's for-profit care that we can't afford," said Edge.

"Public health care supporters across the province are asking candidates to declare their positions on protecting Medicare by enforcing of the Canada Health Act, supporting a national pharmacare program and working to build national home and community care legislation."

The BC Health Coalition has posted party platform positions on health care issues on their website and is encouraging voters to consider them before going to the polls. www.bchealthcoalition.ca