Mulcair cannot pay for his health care promises
October 6, 2015
VANCOUVER – By rushing to eliminate the deficit at any cost, Thomas Mulcair is making health care promises he knows he cannot keep.
“By adopting Stephen Harper’s budget and rushing to eliminate the deficit in just six months, Mulcair can’t possibly deliver on new health care funding,” said Liberal candidate for Vancouver Centre, Dr. Hedy Fry. “Mulcair has already backed off his health care spending promises during this campaign. He can’t pay for his empty promises.”
Dr. Fry pointed to media reports:
“NDP Leader Tom Mulcair is backing away from his pledge to restore up to $36 billion in provincial health care transfers as he vows to pay for other pricey campaign commitments within a balanced budget.” (Canadian Press, August 27, 2015)
“Thomas Mulcair talks a good game but there’s no substance behind it. His political experience has taught him to play politics with everything,” said Dr. Fry. “This election is a choice between investment in our economy and communities, or Harper’s and Mulcair’s cuts and broken promises. Mulcair has made the wrong choice.”
A Liberal government will re-engage on Canadian health care and negotiate a new Health Accord with provinces and territories, including a new, long-term agreement on funding. This will include:
- An immediate investment of $3 billion over the next four years to prioritize additional and improved home care services for all Canadians;
- Improving access and reducing the cost of prescription medications;
- Pan-Canadian collaboration on health innovation; and
- Increasing the availability of high-quality mental health services.
“Liberals have a real plan to make investments now, so that we can ensure the strength and sustainability of our health care system for our kids and our grandkids,” concluded Dr. Fry.