When I am knocking on doors I hear a range of issues, but it always comes back to the fact that the Harper government has let down a lot of people. Whether it is healthcare, jobs, seniors, the environment or our reputation around the world, people have had enough.
There’s nothing more important than your family’s health, but Stephen Harper’s lost decade did nothing to reverse the Liberals’ deep cuts or improve access to family doctors for millions of Canadians.
Our plan will usher in a new era of quality public health care, where you need it, when you need it, by adding doctors and providing health services that are more convenient, accessible and closer to home.
An NDP government will provide long-term, stable funding and work with provinces and territories to ensure more Canadians can access a family doctor and primary care teams. We will invest $300 million to help build 200 clinics across Canada, help provinces hire over 7,000 doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses and other health care professionals, and maximize access to health services by targeting communities that are facing doctor shortages.
Our commitment is to sign the Health Accord, return the funding and improve access to primary, long-term and home care, improving prescription drug coverage, better mental health services and prevention services.
Recently I was speaking to a young woman and she was not only voting for the first time, but was voting NDP. When I asked her why she chose to vote for me, she said that she was worried about her grandmother who was dependent on publicly funded healthcare.
What has motivated me to run is my desire to help build a better Canada, my passion for community development and my deep love of this region that has been my home for over 17 years.