TORONTO, October 6, 2008 -- With voting day just over a week away, health-care professionals and academics want to turn the political spotlight onto issues largely ignored during the federal election campaign: health and health care.
On Wednesday, Oct. 8, the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO) and York University’s Faculty of Health are sponsoring an All-Party Dialogue. The groups say the lack of significant discussion and debate is a major concern when you consider that 78 per cent of respondents in a recent Angus Reid poll said health care is a top factor when deciding which party to support. In the same survey, poverty ranked fourth.
The dialogue will explore areas that are critical to improving people’s health including poverty, the environment, protecting and strengthening Canada’s publicly funded health-care system, and better access to health-care professionals.
The major federal parties have been invited to speak directly to the public, and particularly to young people, about how a vote for their candidates would advance healthy outcomes and promote a healthier Canada.
WHO:
§ Carolyn Bennett, MP for St. Paul’s, Toronto, will represent the Liberal Party.
§ Olivia Chow, MP for Trinity-Spadina, Toronto, will represent the New Democratic Party.
§ Steven Fletcher, MP for Charleswood – St. James – Assiniboia, Manitoba, will represent the Conservative Party.
§ Blake Poland, a candidate running in Oakville will represent the Green Party.
§ Toronto Star columnist Carol Goar will moderate.
WHAT: All-Party Dialogue on Health and Health Care. The event is free of charge and open to the public.
WHERE:
§ Accolade West Building, Room 109, York University, 4700 Keele St., Toronto
WHEN:
§ Wednesday, Oct. 8, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
York University is the leading interdisciplinary research and teaching university in Canada. York offers a modern, academic experience at the undergraduate and graduate level in Toronto, Canada’s most international city. The third largest university in the country, York is host to a dynamic academic community of 50,000 students and 7,000 faculty and staff, as well as 200,000 alumni worldwide. York’s 11 faculties and 26 research centres conduct ambitious, groundbreaking research that is interdisciplinary, cutting across traditional academic boundaries.
The Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO) is the professional association representing registered nurses in Ontario. Since 1925, RNAO has lobbied for healthy public policy, promoted excellence in nursing practice, increased nurses’ contribution to shaping the health-care system, and influenced decisions that affect nurses and the public they serve.
Parking at Student Services Garage
Directions to the event: http://www.yorku.ca/web/futurestudents/map/webmap.html
-30-
For more information please contact:
Marion Zych
Director of Communications
RNAO
Phone: 647-406-5605 or 416-408-5605
Nora Gubins
Director of Communications
Faculty of Health, York University
Phone: 416-736-2100 ext. 21072
-30-
