2015 Federal Election Campaign

Question 1 : Prestations de maladie de l’assurance-emploi

Le Programme d’assurance-emploi du Canada offre une aide financière temporaire aux travailleurs et travailleuses sans emploi. Cette assistance comprend la fourniture de prestations de maladie aux employé-e-s incapables de travailler pour cause de maladie, de blessure ou de quarantaine et qui seraient autrement disponibles pour un emploi. Ces prestations de maladie sont versées jusqu’à un maximum de 15 semaines. Cependant, la plupart des patients cancéreux passent plus de 15 semaines en traitements du cancer ou en rétablissement. Si votre gouvernement est élu, vous engagez-vous à :

A. Reconnaître la nécessité d’un nouveau processus tenant compte du fait que certain-e-s patients, y compris celles et ceux atteints de cancer, vivent des périodes prolongées de traitement et de récupération, et tenir des consultations ouvertes à la population canadienne sur la façon de créer et d’appliquer ce processus?
B. Utiliser les résultats de ces consultations pour prolonger les prestations de maladie pour les personnes traitées pour un cancer ou pour d’autres maladies graves qui nécessitent de longues périodes de traitement ou de récupération, afin que les Canadien-ne-s malades ne soient pas pénalisé-e-s par la limite actuelle de 15 semaines de prestations de maladie?
C. Annuler la période d’attente de deux semaines pour les prestations maladie de l’A-E afin d’éviter de pénaliser les personnes malades?

Réponse: Nous croyons qu’il est grandement temps qu’une nouvelle étude parlementaire sérieuse soit entreprise afin d’étudier le programme de l’assurance emploi. Il n’est pas normal qu’un programme destiné aux travailleurs qui perdent leur emploi ne soit accessible qu’à 60% d’entre eux. Le Bloc Québécois propose une réforme en profondeur du programme et croit que les solutions que vous proposées doivent faire partie intégrante de l’étude qui serait préliminairement mis en place.

Question 2 : Prestations d’invalidité du RPC

Les prestations d’invalidité du Régime de pensions du Canada (RPC) sont un paiement mensuel imposable, disponible pour les personnes qui ont contribué au RPC et ne sont pas en mesure de travailler de façon régulière à un emploi en raison d’une invalidité (http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/fra/services/pensions/rpc/invalidite/prestation/index.shtml).  Cependant, environ 60 pour cent des requêtes de ces prestations sont rejetées de prime abord, soit l’un des taux de rejet les plus élevés pour un programme d’assurance-invalidité parmi les pays de l’OCDE (Organisation pour la coopération économique et de développement économiques). En outre, le nouveau système de recours en appel de ces décisions tarde encore à réduire les quelque 11 000 cas en souffrance, ce qui a pour effet de laisser certain-e-s patient-e-s incapables de travailler, mais privé-e-s de prestations depuis des années.
Si votre gouvernement est élu, s’engage-t-il à :

A. Mener une enquête sur les raisons du rejet initial de 60 pour cent des requêtes de prestations d’invalidité.
B. Veiller à ce que la population canadienne soit informée des façons de demander correctement et avec succès les prestations d’invalidité du RPC.
C. Fournir à ce tribunal les ressources nécessaires pour résoudre rapidement l’arriéré des appels à traiter et veiller à ce que les ressources nécessaires soient en place pour prévenir l’accumulation de retards à l’avenir.

Réponse: Le Bloc Québécois croit qu’il y a lieu de mener une enquête ou un comité d’étude parlementaire sur les raisons du rejet de 60% des demandes initiales pour toucher des prestations d’invalidité. Il est clairement anormal que le gouvernement limite exagérément l’accessibilité à un programme gouvernemental, comme il le fait avec l’assurance-emploi et comme il semble le faire avec les prestations d’invalidité.

Comme vous le savez sûrement, le Bloc Québécois a réussi par le passé à faire plier le gouvernement sur une situation similaire qui touchait les aînés de 65 ans et plus qui étaient lésées dans leur droit de toucher des prestations de Supplément de revenu garanti. Grâce au Bloc Québécois, au Québec seulement et en seulement 4 ans, c’est plus de 42 000 personnes qui ont été retracées et qui ont pu recevoir les prestations qu’elles avaient droit. Le Bloc Québécois suite aux recommandations de l’étude parlementaire pourrait entreprendre une campagne similaire.

La mise en place des tribunaux d’appels par les conservateurs ont été une grave erreur de leur part. Les listes d’attente se prolongent continuellement et rien n’est fait pour remédier à la situation. Le Bloc Québécois travaillera afin de réduire ces listes d’attente, soit en abolissant les dernières réformes, notamment avec les tribunaux de l’assurance-emploi, ou en débloquant les ressources nécessaires pour améliorer le sort de ces personnes qui sont encore une fois lésées par le système.

Question 3 : Programme national d’assurance-médicaments

Une nouvelle étude[ii] publiée en juillet 2015 soutient de façon convaincante un projet d’expansion de notre système public et universel de soins de santé pour y inclure le coût des médicaments d’ordonnance. En outre, un récent sondage[iii] effectué par l’Angus Reid Institute a constaté que plus de 90 pour cent des Canadien-ne-s endossent le concept de l’assurance-médicaments.

A. Quelle est la position de votre parti sur la création d’un programme national d’assurance-médicaments?
B. Comment votre parti veillera-t-il à ce qu’un programme national d’assurance-médicaments ne réduise pas le nombre de médicaments d’ordonnance disponibles aux patient-e-s canadien-ne-s?
C. Votre parti appuiera-t-il un nouveau paiement fédéral de péréquation pour un programme national d’assurance-médicaments, afin que toutes les provinces soient en mesure de couvrir la même gamme complète de médicaments d’ordonnance, complétée en bon temps par de nouveaux ajouts périodiques?

Réponse: En matière de régime d’assurance-maladie, le Québec s’est doté, depuis plus de 30 ans, d’un système public de santé et de services sociaux pour assurer la santé et le bien-être de ses citoyens. Au fil du temps, ce système, tout en conservant son caractère public, s’est enrichi de multiples avantages complémentaires dont l’objectif demeure d’assurer aux Québécoises et aux Québécois l’accessibilité aux soins et aux services requis par leur état de santé avec la meilleure qualité possible. Le Québec possède notamment, depuis longtemps, son régime d’assurance-médicaments.

Le Bloc Québécois, en tant que parti qui agit au Parlement canadien, n’a pas à exercer de pressions sur le gouvernement du Québec en matière d’accès aux médicaments puisque ce champ de compétence relève du gouvernement québécois. Notre parti incite plutôt le gouvernement fédéral à agir à l’intérieur de son champ d’action et donc à rehausser son effort financier en corrigeant le déséquilibre fiscal. Cela permettrait au Québec et aux provinces de financer plus adéquatement des programmes efficaces qui existent déjà. Si le gouvernement du Québec veut participer à une quelconque stratégie, il le fera de son propre gré et selon ses propres champs de compétence.

Par contre, le Bloc Québécois propose de Réduire le prix des médicaments d’origine. Actuellement, le prix des médicaments d’origine est fixé par un mécanisme comparatif avec 4 pays où les médicaments sont parmi les plus chers de la planète. En élargissant au nombre de 10 les pays de comparaison, le prix des médicaments d’origine pourra diminuer de près de 15%, ce qui permettra aux gens et au gouvernement du Québec d’économiser des centaines de millions de dollars chaque année.

Le Bloc Québécois fera en sorte que le mode de fixation des prix des médicaments d’origine soit analysé et modifié afin de réduire le prix des médicaments d’origine.

Question 4 : Leadership national en matière de soins de santé

Comment votre parti ferait-il preuve de leadership dans son travail avec les provinces et les territoires sur les enjeux de soins de santé?

A) Est-ce que votre parti modifiera les transferts fédéraux aux provinces afin qu’ils tiennent compte de l’âge des gens et non seulement de leur nombre?
B) Veuillez indiquer d’autres façons dont votre parti ferait faire preuve de leadership fédéral sur les questions de soins de santé.

Réponse: Le Bloc Québécois s’attaquera à la lutte au déséquilibre fiscal en commençant par le rétablissement des transferts en santé. Cette année marque le désengagement programmé du gouvernement fédéral dans le financement de la santé. Voici ce qu’en dit le directeur parlementaire du budget :

En indexant le financement fédéral des soins de santé au taux de croissance du PIB, le gouvernement fédéral se prémunit en grande partie de l’impact financier du vieillissement de la population. Mais les gouvernements provinciaux, investis de la responsabilité? constitutionnelle des soins de santé, ne peuvent pas agir ainsi.
Ce désengagement fédéral en santé nuira considérablement au Québec financièrement et induit des pressions qui poussent vers une place accrue du privé dans les services de santé.

Le Bloc Québécois reprendra la lutte contre le déséquilibre fiscal en commençant par exiger une hausse des transferts en santé de 6% par année pour qu’ils atteignent un niveau équivalent à au moins 25 % des dépenses du Québec dans ce domaine. Nous exigerons que le vieillissement de la population soit pris en compte dans le calcul des transferts en santé.

Question 1 : Prestations de maladie de l’assurance-emploi

Le Programme d’assurance-emploi du Canada offre une aide financière temporaire aux travailleurs et travailleuses sans emploi. Cette assistance comprend la fourniture de prestations de maladie aux employé-e-s incapables de travailler pour cause de maladie, de blessure ou de quarantaine et qui seraient autrement disponibles pour un emploi. Ces prestations de maladie sont versées jusqu’à un maximum de 15 semaines. Cependant, la plupart des patients cancéreux passent plus de 15 semaines en traitements du cancer ou en rétablissement. Si votre gouvernement est élu, vous engagez-vous à :

A. Reconnaître la nécessité d’un nouveau processus tenant compte du fait que certain-e-s patients, y compris celles et ceux atteints de cancer, vivent des périodes prolongées de traitement et de récupération, et tenir des consultations ouvertes à la population canadienne sur la façon de créer et d’appliquer ce processus?
B. Utiliser les résultats de ces consultations pour prolonger les prestations de maladie pour les personnes traitées pour un cancer ou pour d’autres maladies graves qui nécessitent de longues périodes de traitement ou de récupération, afin que les Canadien-ne-s malades ne soient pas pénalisé-e-s par la limite actuelle de 15 semaines de prestations de maladie?
C. Annuler la période d’attente de deux semaines pour les prestations maladie de l’A-E afin d’éviter de pénaliser les personnes malades?

Réponse: Nous croyons qu’il est grandement temps qu’une nouvelle étude parlementaire sérieuse soit entreprise afin d’étudier le programme de l’assurance emploi. Il n’est pas normal qu’un programme destiné aux travailleurs qui perdent leur emploi ne soit accessible qu’à 60% d’entre eux. Le Bloc Québécois propose une réforme en profondeur du programme et croit que les solutions que vous proposées doivent faire partie intégrante de l’étude qui serait préliminairement mis en place.

Question 2 : Prestations d’invalidité du RPC

Les prestations d’invalidité du Régime de pensions du Canada (RPC) sont un paiement mensuel imposable, disponible pour les personnes qui ont contribué au RPC et ne sont pas en mesure de travailler de façon régulière à un emploi en raison d’une invalidité (http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/fra/services/pensions/rpc/invalidite/prestation/index.shtml).  Cependant, environ 60 pour cent des requêtes de ces prestations sont rejetées de prime abord, soit l’un des taux de rejet les plus élevés pour un programme d’assurance-invalidité parmi les pays de l’OCDE (Organisation pour la coopération économique et de développement économiques). En outre, le nouveau système de recours en appel de ces décisions tarde encore à réduire les quelque 11 000 cas en souffrance, ce qui a pour effet de laisser certain-e-s patient-e-s incapables de travailler, mais privé-e-s de prestations depuis des années.
Si votre gouvernement est élu, s’engage-t-il à :

A. Mener une enquête sur les raisons du rejet initial de 60 pour cent des requêtes de prestations d’invalidité.
B. Veiller à ce que la population canadienne soit informée des façons de demander correctement et avec succès les prestations d’invalidité du RPC.
C. Fournir à ce tribunal les ressources nécessaires pour résoudre rapidement l’arriéré des appels à traiter et veiller à ce que les ressources nécessaires soient en place pour prévenir l’accumulation de retards à l’avenir.

Réponse: Le Bloc Québécois croit qu’il y a lieu de mener une enquête ou un comité d’étude parlementaire sur les raisons du rejet de 60% des demandes initiales pour toucher des prestations d’invalidité. Il est clairement anormal que le gouvernement limite exagérément l’accessibilité à un programme gouvernemental, comme il le fait avec l’assurance-emploi et comme il semble le faire avec les prestations d’invalidité.

Comme vous le savez sûrement, le Bloc Québécois a réussi par le passé à faire plier le gouvernement sur une situation similaire qui touchait les aînés de 65 ans et plus qui étaient lésées dans leur droit de toucher des prestations de Supplément de revenu garanti. Grâce au Bloc Québécois, au Québec seulement et en seulement 4 ans, c’est plus de 42 000 personnes qui ont été retracées et qui ont pu recevoir les prestations qu’elles avaient droit. Le Bloc Québécois suite aux recommandations de l’étude parlementaire pourrait entreprendre une campagne similaire.

La mise en place des tribunaux d’appels par les conservateurs ont été une grave erreur de leur part. Les listes d’attente se prolongent continuellement et rien n’est fait pour remédier à la situation. Le Bloc Québécois travaillera afin de réduire ces listes d’attente, soit en abolissant les dernières réformes, notamment avec les tribunaux de l’assurance-emploi, ou en débloquant les ressources nécessaires pour améliorer le sort de ces personnes qui sont encore une fois lésées par le système.

Question 3 : Programme national d’assurance-médicaments

Une nouvelle étude[ii] publiée en juillet 2015 soutient de façon convaincante un projet d’expansion de notre système public et universel de soins de santé pour y inclure le coût des médicaments d’ordonnance. En outre, un récent sondage[iii] effectué par l’Angus Reid Institute a constaté que plus de 90 pour cent des Canadien-ne-s endossent le concept de l’assurance-médicaments.

A. Quelle est la position de votre parti sur la création d’un programme national d’assurance-médicaments?
B. Comment votre parti veillera-t-il à ce qu’un programme national d’assurance-médicaments ne réduise pas le nombre de médicaments d’ordonnance disponibles aux patient-e-s canadien-ne-s?
C. Votre parti appuiera-t-il un nouveau paiement fédéral de péréquation pour un programme national d’assurance-médicaments, afin que toutes les provinces soient en mesure de couvrir la même gamme complète de médicaments d’ordonnance, complétée en bon temps par de nouveaux ajouts périodiques?

Réponse: En matière de régime d’assurance-maladie, le Québec s’est doté, depuis plus de 30 ans, d’un système public de santé et de services sociaux pour assurer la santé et le bien-être de ses citoyens. Au fil du temps, ce système, tout en conservant son caractère public, s’est enrichi de multiples avantages complémentaires dont l’objectif demeure d’assurer aux Québécoises et aux Québécois l’accessibilité aux soins et aux services requis par leur état de santé avec la meilleure qualité possible. Le Québec possède notamment, depuis longtemps, son régime d’assurance-médicaments.

Le Bloc Québécois, en tant que parti qui agit au Parlement canadien, n’a pas à exercer de pressions sur le gouvernement du Québec en matière d’accès aux médicaments puisque ce champ de compétence relève du gouvernement québécois. Notre parti incite plutôt le gouvernement fédéral à agir à l’intérieur de son champ d’action et donc à rehausser son effort financier en corrigeant le déséquilibre fiscal. Cela permettrait au Québec et aux provinces de financer plus adéquatement des programmes efficaces qui existent déjà. Si le gouvernement du Québec veut participer à une quelconque stratégie, il le fera de son propre gré et selon ses propres champs de compétence.

Par contre, le Bloc Québécois propose de Réduire le prix des médicaments d’origine. Actuellement, le prix des médicaments d’origine est fixé par un mécanisme comparatif avec 4 pays où les médicaments sont parmi les plus chers de la planète. En élargissant au nombre de 10 les pays de comparaison, le prix des médicaments d’origine pourra diminuer de près de 15%, ce qui permettra aux gens et au gouvernement du Québec d’économiser des centaines de millions de dollars chaque année.

Le Bloc Québécois fera en sorte que le mode de fixation des prix des médicaments d’origine soit analysé et modifié afin de réduire le prix des médicaments d’origine.

Question 4 : Leadership national en matière de soins de santé

Comment votre parti ferait-il preuve de leadership dans son travail avec les provinces et les territoires sur les enjeux de soins de santé?

A) Est-ce que votre parti modifiera les transferts fédéraux aux provinces afin qu’ils tiennent compte de l’âge des gens et non seulement de leur nombre?
B) Veuillez indiquer d’autres façons dont votre parti ferait faire preuve de leadership fédéral sur les questions de soins de santé.

Réponse: Le Bloc Québécois s’attaquera à la lutte au déséquilibre fiscal en commençant par le rétablissement des transferts en santé. Cette année marque le désengagement programmé du gouvernement fédéral dans le financement de la santé. Voici ce qu’en dit le directeur parlementaire du budget :

En indexant le financement fédéral des soins de santé au taux de croissance du PIB, le gouvernement fédéral se prémunit en grande partie de l’impact financier du vieillissement de la population. Mais les gouvernements provinciaux, investis de la responsabilité? constitutionnelle des soins de santé, ne peuvent pas agir ainsi.
Ce désengagement fédéral en santé nuira considérablement au Québec financièrement et induit des pressions qui poussent vers une place accrue du privé dans les services de santé.

Le Bloc Québécois reprendra la lutte contre le déséquilibre fiscal en commençant par exiger une hausse des transferts en santé de 6% par année pour qu’ils atteignent un niveau équivalent à au moins 25 % des dépenses du Québec dans ce domaine. Nous exigerons que le vieillissement de la population soit pris en compte dans le calcul des transferts en santé.

Question 1 : Prestations de maladie de l’assurance-emploi

Le Programme d’assurance-emploi du Canada offre une aide financière temporaire aux travailleurs et travailleuses sans emploi. Cette assistance comprend la fourniture de prestations de maladie aux employé-e-s incapables de travailler pour cause de maladie, de blessure ou de quarantaine et qui seraient autrement disponibles pour un emploi. Ces prestations de maladie sont versées jusqu’à un maximum de 15 semaines. Cependant, la plupart des patients cancéreux passent plus de 15 semaines en traitements du cancer ou en rétablissement. Si votre gouvernement est élu, vous engagez-vous à :

A. Reconnaître la nécessité d’un nouveau processus tenant compte du fait que certain-e-s patients, y compris celles et ceux atteints de cancer, vivent des périodes prolongées de traitement et de récupération, et tenir des consultations ouvertes à la population canadienne sur la façon de créer et d’appliquer ce processus?
B. Utiliser les résultats de ces consultations pour prolonger les prestations de maladie pour les personnes traitées pour un cancer ou pour d’autres maladies graves qui nécessitent de longues périodes de traitement ou de récupération, afin que les Canadien-ne-s malades ne soient pas pénalisé-e-s par la limite actuelle de 15 semaines de prestations de maladie?
C. Annuler la période d’attente de deux semaines pour les prestations maladie de l’A-E afin d’éviter de pénaliser les personnes malades?

Réponse: Nous croyons qu’il est grandement temps qu’une nouvelle étude parlementaire sérieuse soit entreprise afin d’étudier le programme de l’assurance emploi. Il n’est pas normal qu’un programme destiné aux travailleurs qui perdent leur emploi ne soit accessible qu’à 60% d’entre eux. Le Bloc Québécois propose une réforme en profondeur du programme et croit que les solutions que vous proposées doivent faire partie intégrante de l’étude qui serait préliminairement mis en place.

Question 2 : Prestations d’invalidité du RPC

Les prestations d’invalidité du Régime de pensions du Canada (RPC) sont un paiement mensuel imposable, disponible pour les personnes qui ont contribué au RPC et ne sont pas en mesure de travailler de façon régulière à un emploi en raison d’une invalidité (http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/fra/services/pensions/rpc/invalidite/prestation/index.shtml).  Cependant, environ 60 pour cent des requêtes de ces prestations sont rejetées de prime abord, soit l’un des taux de rejet les plus élevés pour un programme d’assurance-invalidité parmi les pays de l’OCDE (Organisation pour la coopération économique et de développement économiques). En outre, le nouveau système de recours en appel de ces décisions tarde encore à réduire les quelque 11 000 cas en souffrance, ce qui a pour effet de laisser certain-e-s patient-e-s incapables de travailler, mais privé-e-s de prestations depuis des années.
Si votre gouvernement est élu, s’engage-t-il à :

A. Mener une enquête sur les raisons du rejet initial de 60 pour cent des requêtes de prestations d’invalidité.
B. Veiller à ce que la population canadienne soit informée des façons de demander correctement et avec succès les prestations d’invalidité du RPC.
C. Fournir à ce tribunal les ressources nécessaires pour résoudre rapidement l’arriéré des appels à traiter et veiller à ce que les ressources nécessaires soient en place pour prévenir l’accumulation de retards à l’avenir.

Réponse: Le Bloc Québécois croit qu’il y a lieu de mener une enquête ou un comité d’étude parlementaire sur les raisons du rejet de 60% des demandes initiales pour toucher des prestations d’invalidité. Il est clairement anormal que le gouvernement limite exagérément l’accessibilité à un programme gouvernemental, comme il le fait avec l’assurance-emploi et comme il semble le faire avec les prestations d’invalidité.

Comme vous le savez sûrement, le Bloc Québécois a réussi par le passé à faire plier le gouvernement sur une situation similaire qui touchait les aînés de 65 ans et plus qui étaient lésées dans leur droit de toucher des prestations de Supplément de revenu garanti. Grâce au Bloc Québécois, au Québec seulement et en seulement 4 ans, c’est plus de 42 000 personnes qui ont été retracées et qui ont pu recevoir les prestations qu’elles avaient droit. Le Bloc Québécois suite aux recommandations de l’étude parlementaire pourrait entreprendre une campagne similaire.

La mise en place des tribunaux d’appels par les conservateurs ont été une grave erreur de leur part. Les listes d’attente se prolongent continuellement et rien n’est fait pour remédier à la situation. Le Bloc Québécois travaillera afin de réduire ces listes d’attente, soit en abolissant les dernières réformes, notamment avec les tribunaux de l’assurance-emploi, ou en débloquant les ressources nécessaires pour améliorer le sort de ces personnes qui sont encore une fois lésées par le système.

Question 3 : Programme national d’assurance-médicaments

Une nouvelle étude[ii] publiée en juillet 2015 soutient de façon convaincante un projet d’expansion de notre système public et universel de soins de santé pour y inclure le coût des médicaments d’ordonnance. En outre, un récent sondage[iii] effectué par l’Angus Reid Institute a constaté que plus de 90 pour cent des Canadien-ne-s endossent le concept de l’assurance-médicaments.

A. Quelle est la position de votre parti sur la création d’un programme national d’assurance-médicaments?
B. Comment votre parti veillera-t-il à ce qu’un programme national d’assurance-médicaments ne réduise pas le nombre de médicaments d’ordonnance disponibles aux patient-e-s canadien-ne-s?
C. Votre parti appuiera-t-il un nouveau paiement fédéral de péréquation pour un programme national d’assurance-médicaments, afin que toutes les provinces soient en mesure de couvrir la même gamme complète de médicaments d’ordonnance, complétée en bon temps par de nouveaux ajouts périodiques?

Réponse: En matière de régime d’assurance-maladie, le Québec s’est doté, depuis plus de 30 ans, d’un système public de santé et de services sociaux pour assurer la santé et le bien-être de ses citoyens. Au fil du temps, ce système, tout en conservant son caractère public, s’est enrichi de multiples avantages complémentaires dont l’objectif demeure d’assurer aux Québécoises et aux Québécois l’accessibilité aux soins et aux services requis par leur état de santé avec la meilleure qualité possible. Le Québec possède notamment, depuis longtemps, son régime d’assurance-médicaments.

Le Bloc Québécois, en tant que parti qui agit au Parlement canadien, n’a pas à exercer de pressions sur le gouvernement du Québec en matière d’accès aux médicaments puisque ce champ de compétence relève du gouvernement québécois. Notre parti incite plutôt le gouvernement fédéral à agir à l’intérieur de son champ d’action et donc à rehausser son effort financier en corrigeant le déséquilibre fiscal. Cela permettrait au Québec et aux provinces de financer plus adéquatement des programmes efficaces qui existent déjà. Si le gouvernement du Québec veut participer à une quelconque stratégie, il le fera de son propre gré et selon ses propres champs de compétence.

Par contre, le Bloc Québécois propose de Réduire le prix des médicaments d’origine. Actuellement, le prix des médicaments d’origine est fixé par un mécanisme comparatif avec 4 pays où les médicaments sont parmi les plus chers de la planète. En élargissant au nombre de 10 les pays de comparaison, le prix des médicaments d’origine pourra diminuer de près de 15%, ce qui permettra aux gens et au gouvernement du Québec d’économiser des centaines de millions de dollars chaque année.

Le Bloc Québécois fera en sorte que le mode de fixation des prix des médicaments d’origine soit analysé et modifié afin de réduire le prix des médicaments d’origine.

Question 4 : Leadership national en matière de soins de santé

Comment votre parti ferait-il preuve de leadership dans son travail avec les provinces et les territoires sur les enjeux de soins de santé?

A) Est-ce que votre parti modifiera les transferts fédéraux aux provinces afin qu’ils tiennent compte de l’âge des gens et non seulement de leur nombre?
B) Veuillez indiquer d’autres façons dont votre parti ferait faire preuve de leadership fédéral sur les questions de soins de santé.

Réponse: Le Bloc Québécois s’attaquera à la lutte au déséquilibre fiscal en commençant par le rétablissement des transferts en santé. Cette année marque le désengagement programmé du gouvernement fédéral dans le financement de la santé. Voici ce qu’en dit le directeur parlementaire du budget :

En indexant le financement fédéral des soins de santé au taux de croissance du PIB, le gouvernement fédéral se prémunit en grande partie de l’impact financier du vieillissement de la population. Mais les gouvernements provinciaux, investis de la responsabilité? constitutionnelle des soins de santé, ne peuvent pas agir ainsi.
Ce désengagement fédéral en santé nuira considérablement au Québec financièrement et induit des pressions qui poussent vers une place accrue du privé dans les services de santé.

Le Bloc Québécois reprendra la lutte contre le déséquilibre fiscal en commençant par exiger une hausse des transferts en santé de 6% par année pour qu’ils atteignent un niveau équivalent à au moins 25 % des dépenses du Québec dans ce domaine. Nous exigerons que le vieillissement de la population soit pris en compte dans le calcul des transferts en santé.

Bien que le Bloc Québécois ne formera pas le prochain gouvernement, notre Chef qui risque de détenir la balance du pouvoir, va, assurément vous appuyer ainsi que tous les députés élus de notre formation car, dans chaque famille québécoise, il y a des personnes au prise avec cet état de fait.

Pour ma part, je vous encourage à ne pas baisser les bras et à continuer votre combat et je serai là pour vous si je suis élue.

Élise Gauthier,

Candidate du Bloc Québécois

Dans Chicoutimi-Le Fjord

I must apologize – somehow your email got lost as so many others piled in on top of it amidst the frenzy of launching a campaign with very few resources. Glad I found it today.

I am, myself, a cancer survivor, having undergone radiation therapy in 2012. It was successful, although as you know, the doctors will be keeping an eye on me for another couple of years to come. I gave some thought to participating in your CCSN network, but to be honest, I felt more compelled to spend my volunteer time on restoring democracy in Canada, and my cause over the past 20+ years of justice and democracy in Melanesia, which still takes up much of my time. I found these two causes continue to be my calling and the most satisfying use of my time.

However, I appreciate how valuable an organization like yours can be for cancer patients after treatment. It’s usually an unexpected challenge and people recovering from the disease need as much help as they can on the steep learning curve of how to lead a new life post-treatment.

Below are my answers to your questions. Thank you for asking, and for all the good that you do.

Question 1: Employment Insurance Sickness Benefits

The Employment Insurance Program in Canada offers temporary financial assistance to unemployed workers. This assistance includes providing sickness benefits to employees unable to work because of sickness, injury or quarantine and who would otherwise be available to work, with sickness benefits up to a maximum of 15 weeks. However, most cancer patients spend more than 15 weeks receiving or recovering from cancer treatment.

If elected, will your government:

Recognize that there is a need for a new process that recognizes that some patients, including cancer patients, experience extended periods of treatment and recovery, and hold open consultations with Canadians about how this process will be developed and implemented?

Yes, I believe so.

Use the results of these consultations to lengthen sickness benefits for Canadians undergoing treatment for cancer as well as other serious illnesses that require long periods of treatment or recovery so that Canadians who are ill are not penalized by the current limit of 15 weeks of sickness benefits?

Probably, but it would depend on the outcome of the consultations. In any case, a key part of the Green Party’s policy platform is the introduction of Guaranteed Liveable Income for all Canadians under any conditions. Should cancer patients not qualify for EI for a period of time, they would still be looked after by the Green Party’s guarantee of a liveable income no matter what the circumstances.

Cancel the two-week waiting period for EI Sickness Benefits so that sick Canadians are not penalized?

Perhaps, but the waiting period is there for a reason. Again, if Canada implements a progressive policy like the Guaranteed Liveable Income and also has a working National Housing Strategy (the Green Party is the only party in Canada proposing one), then a two-week waiting period may no longer be an issue.

Question 2: Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefits

The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Disability Benefit is a taxable monthly payment that is available to people who have contributed to the CPP and who are not able to work regularly at any job because of a disability (http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/services/pensions/cpp/disability/benefit/). However, about 60 per cent of CPP disability claimants are initially turned down, one of the highest rejection rates for a disability insurance program among the nations of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). In addition, the new appeal system has still not cleared the backlog of 11,000 cases, resulting in some patients left unable to work but without benefits for years.

If elected, will your government:

Conduct an investigation into the reasons why 60 per cent of disability claimants are initially turned down.

Yes, I believe so.

Ensure that Canadians are informed about how to properly and successfully apply for CPP Disability Benefits.

Yes.

Provide the tribunal with the resources it needs to quickly clear the remaining backlog of cases and ensure that necessary resources are in place to prevent the buildup of backlogs in the future.

Yes. It is so unfair to withhold payments when they are needed most, from a fund that these applicants have paid into during their working years.

Question 3: National Pharmacare Program

What is your party’s position on the creation of a national pharmacare program?
I know from personal experience how expensive drugs associate with cancer treatment can be. The Green Party of Canada’s policy platform has included a National Pharmacare Plan since prior to the 2011 election. We estimate that such a program would save Canadians $11 billion each year through the advantage of bulk buying. As well, it will allow physicians to better track if patients are at risk of over-medication.

How will your party ensure that a national pharmacare program will not reduce the number of prescription medicines available to Canadian patients?

In fact, our National Pharmacare Plan may initially reduce the number of medicines available because our party would implement a more rigorous assessment of new drug applications based on a standard for pharmaceutical review that ensures Canada rejects drugs shown to hurt more people than they heal. However, balancing this policy is our our party’s support for alternate modes of healing and disease prevention, including naturopathy. And, as part of the big picture project of creating healthy communities, we will adopt stricter regulations to prohibit cancer-causing chemicals in our food and consumer products, and ensure informative labelling of food products.

Will your party support a new federal equalization payment for national pharmacare so that all provinces are able to cover the same comprehensive range of prescription drugs, with timely new additions on a regular basis?

Yes. The National Pharmacare Plan must be applied equitably so that national standards apply to all provinces.

Question 4: National Healthcare Leadership

How would your party show leadership in work with the provinces and territories on healthcare issues?

Would your party modify federal transfers to the provinces so that they are age-adjusted and not just based on population numbers?

I don’t know, but that seems logical and fair to me.

Please indicate other ways that your party would show federal leadership on healthcare issues.

The Green Party will vigorously defend universal health care in Canada. We intend to bring all parties back to the table for a renewal of the Health Accord. We will also promote innovations in health care through patient-centred team medicine built around the family physician working with nurse-practitioners, pharmacists, midwives, naturopaths and others. We will also take a wholistic approach to preventing disease that factors in the need to consider mental health, financial means, healthy lifestyles, and nutritious, uncontaminated food.

Sincerely,
Larry

Larry Colero
Green Party of Canada Candidate 2015 for South Surrey – White Rock

Question 1: Employment Insurance Sickness Benefits

The Employment Insurance Program in Canada offers temporary financial assistance to unemployed workers. This assistance includes providing sickness benefits to employees unable to work because of sickness, injury or quarantine and who would otherwise be available to work, with sickness benefits up to a maximum of 15 weeks. However, most cancer patients spend more than 15 weeks receiving or recovering from cancer treatment.

If elected, will your government:

Recognize that there is a need for a new process that recognizes that some patients, including cancer patients, experience extended periods of treatment and recovery, and hold open consultations with Canadians about how this process will be developed and implemented?  Yes.

Use the results of these consultations to lengthen sickness benefits for Canadians undergoing treatment for cancer as well as other serious illnesses that require long periods of treatment or recovery so that Canadians who are ill are not penalized by the current limit of 15 weeks of sickness benefits? Yes

Cancel the two-week waiting period for EI Sickness Benefits so that sick Canadians are not penalized? It takes time for the administrative process to work, I’d like to say yes, but more likely a delay of some type would exist but the retroactive pay could eliminate the 2 week wait period.

Question 2: Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefits

The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Disability Benefit is a taxable monthly payment that is available to people who have contributed to the CPP and who are not able to work regularly at any job because of a disability (http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/services/pensions/cpp/disability/benefit/). However, about 60 per cent of CPP disability claimants are initially turned down, one of the highest rejection rates for a disability insurance program among the nations of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). In addition, the new appeal system has still not cleared the backlog of 11,000 cases, resulting in some patients left unable to work but without benefits for years.

If elected, will your government:

Conduct an investigation into the reasons why 60 per cent of disability claimants are initially turned down. Yes
Ensure that Canadians are informed about how to properly and successfully apply for CPP Disability Benefits. Yes
Provide the tribunal with the resources it needs to quickly clear the remaining backlog of cases and ensure that necessary resources are in place to prevent the buildup of backlogs in the future. Yes

Question 3: National Pharmacare Program

A new study[ii] released in July 2015 makes a compelling case for expanding our universal public health care system to include the cost of prescription medicines. In addition, a recent poll by the Angus Reid Institute[iii] found that more than 90 per cent of Canadians back the concept of pharmacare.

What is your party’s position on the creation of a national pharmacare program? We really need a national pharmacare program. It could save Canadians many $$ by purchasing drugs in bulk nationally. This is a serious issue that needs attention. 1 in 5 patients cannot afford their prescribed medications.

How will your party ensure that a national pharmacare program will not reduce the number of prescription medicines available to Canadian patients? Structure the program such that drug approvals happen in a timely manner based upon facts and evidence of clinical trials.

Will your party support a new federal equalization payment for national pharmacare so that all provinces are able to cover the same comprehensive range of prescription drugs, with timely new additions on a regular basis? The federal government needs to work with the provinces, we have seen a dictatorial style in the last 10 years that is not serving Canadians. This issue would need to be discussed by the federal government together with the first ministers, but in principle I support action on this issue.

Question 4: National Healthcare Leadership

How would your party show leadership in work with the provinces and territories on healthcare issues?

Would your party modify federal transfers to the provinces so that they are age-adjusted and not just based on population numbers? We need to renew the national health accord and pay consideration to the demographics in each region.

Please indicate other ways that your party would show federal leadership on healthcare issues. National leadership on healthcare is important. We are creeping toward a user pay system and that needs to stop. We need national leadership on prevention and lifestyle choices that would get Canadians more focused on health care rather than disease care that we have been trending toward in the last 20 years.

Question 1 response:

Liberal and Conservative governments, together, have raided the EI fund of a staggering $57 billion. New Democrats have fought tooth-and-nail against these measures designed to keep Canadians from accessing their income security benefits when they need them the most and, as government, we will be reviewing the current inadequacies of the EI system in supporting Canadians trying to keep a foothold in the workforce.

New Democrats recognize the need to increase the flexibility of federal supports for persons living with chronic conditions to better accommodate their varying levels of engagement in the workforce. A New Democratic government will seek to increase their work options.

Question 2 response:

The CPP Disability Benefit is among the income support measures receiving the greatest public criticism. Changes introduced in the mid-90s resulted in increasing numbers of applicants being turned away and appear to undermine the benefit’s other advantages. A New Democratic government has committed to calling a First Ministers meeting within six months of being elected to examine the adequacy of the CPP/QPP and to negotiate improvements with provincial and territorial governments.

Question 3 response:

New Democrats have long advocated for a national collaborative effort to cover the costs of prescription medicines in order to reel in the fastest growing cost factor in 21st century health care delivery. Every country with a universal health plan has a national drug plan of some sort – except for Canada.

As first steps, a New Democratic government will ensure that the affordability of prescription medicines is on the table in our discussions with provinces and territories as we push for a new national health accord. Such an inter-governmental collaboration is long overdue and provides the federal government an opportunity to build on the progress provinces and territories have made. Cooperative bulk purchasing and common formulary, for instance, are already advancing but could improve dramatically with active federal involvement. Lifting these important elements out of provincial silos to a pan-Canadian level will assure equitable treatment and access to scientifically approved drugs for all Canadians.

Question 4 response:

New Democrats are strongly committed to rejuvenating the relationship between the federal government, provinces and territories overall and in the health portfolio, in particular.

An NDP government will reverse Harper’s unilateral cuts and get back to working collaboratively with provinces and territories. Respecting provincial roles, we will lead strategies to improve public health care and make it more sustainable over the long term. To this end, we will move quickly to initiate a federal/provincial-territorial process to put a new health accord in place.

Sincerely,
Sheila’s Team
Sheila Malcolmson

Nanaimo-Ladysmith Federal NDP Candidate

Thank you for your e-mail requesting responses to questions about the important issue of cancer patient care. Please note that the New Democratic Party election platform has not yet been publicly announced. More fulsome information about the NDP position on the issues that you raise may be evident when our platform becomes public. Our responses to your questions follow.

Question 1: Employment Insurance Sickness Benefits

The Employment Insurance Program in Canada offers temporary financial assistance to unemployed workers. This assistance includes providing sickness benefits to employees unable to work because of sickness, injury or quarantine and who would otherwise be available to work, with sickness benefits up to a maximum of 15 weeks. However, most cancer patients spend more than 15 weeks receiving or recovering from cancer treatment.

If elected, will your government:

- Recognize that there is a need for a new process that recognizes that some patients, including cancer patients, experience extended periods of treatment and recovery, and hold open consultations with Canadians about how this process will be developed and implemented? Yes.
- Use the results of these consultations to lengthen sickness benefits for Canadians undergoing treatment for cancer as well as other serious illnesses that require long periods of treatment or recovery so that Canadians who are ill are not penalized by the current limit of 15 weeks of sickness benefits? Yes.
- Cancel the two-week waiting period for EI Sickness Benefits so that sick Canadians are not penalized? Yes.

Question 2: Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefits

The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Disability Benefit is a taxable monthly payment that is available to people who have contributed to the CPP and who are not able to work regularly at any job because of a disability (http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/services/pensions/cpp/disability/benefit/). However, about 60 per cent of CPP disability claimants are initially turned down, one of the highest rejection rates for a disability insurance program among the nations of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). In addition, the new appeal system has still not cleared the backlog of 11,000 cases, resulting in some patients left unable to work but without benefits for years.

If elected, will your government:

Conduct an investigation into the reasons why 60 per cent of disability claimants are initially turned down. Yes.
Ensure that Canadians are informed about how to properly and successfully apply for CPP Disability Benefits. Yes.
Provide the tribunal with the resources it needs to quickly clear the remaining backlog of cases and ensure that necessary resources are in place to prevent the buildup of backlogs in the future. Yes.

Question 3: National Pharmacare Program

A new study[ii] released in July 2015 makes a compelling case for expanding our universal public health care system to include the cost of prescription medicines. In addition, a recent poll by the Angus Reid Institute[iii] found that more than 90 per cent of Canadians back the concept of pharmacare.

- What is your party’s position on the creation of a national pharmacare program? In favour. My position since 2000 election.

- How will your party ensure that a national pharmacare program will not reduce the number of prescription medicines available to Canadian patients? Arm’s length governance.
- Will your party support a new federal equalization payment for national pharmacare so that all provinces are able to cover the same comprehensive range of prescription drugs, with timely new additions on a regular basis? Yes.

Question 4: National Healthcare Leadership

How would your party show leadership in work with the provinces and territories on healthcare issues?

Would your party modify federal transfers to the provinces so that they are age-adjusted and not just based on population numbers? Yes.
Please indicate other ways that your party would show federal leadership on healthcare issues. Sustainable development, consultation with provinces, respect and funding for science.

Sept. 5 / 15

Cancer Survivor Network

There are many organizations like yours that are playing a major role in providing support to Canadians that are going through this terrible illness.

The Conservative Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Harper have made support for Health Care a priority. They continue to help families and support workers providing for family with these illnesses.

If elected I will be working hard with our Conservative Government to provide the best support we are able to provide to individuals on the National items and the Provinces as they deliver Health Care.

Prime Minister Harper has and continues to find ways to lessen the red tape in getting the help that Canadians need through the service providers. It is a challenge with so many lives and families impacted by this and other diseases as they look for the support they need to provide the best care available.

We will continue to work to lessen the burden on patients and their care givers.

David Morse

Ged Stonehouse

Communications Coordinator

Over the past 9 years, our federal government has doubled transfers to Ontario in health and social benefits from roughly $10 billion in 2006 to $20.3 billion in 2015.

I believe it is vital for our provincial partners to better manage the funds that are provided via such transfers to ensure better and more efficient delivery of our health care.

Best regards,

Andy

Cancer is a terrible illness that affects way too many Canadians, including far too many men and women in my riding.

If elected, I promise to work as hard as possible to ensure that cancer patients receive the appropriate level of support they require. I will work with your network to ensure that an amenable solution can be found so that the financial burden does not impede the progress of cancer patients that receive treatment and also alleviate the burden on the family.

Again, thank you for the enquiry and hopefully we get to work together in the not too distant future.

Sincerely,

André Robichaud
Conservative Candidate AMK

Please note that the following MP's responded to CCSN's questions with the Liberal Party's official response that is provided further below.

- Neil Ellis (Bay of Quinte)

- Howard Shuster (Don Valley)

- Katie Omstead (Chatham-Kent-Leamington)

- Allan Thompson (Huron-Bruce)

- Dr. Doug Eyolfson (Charleswood - St. James - Assiniboia - Headingley)

Question 1 response:

A Liberal government will reduce the waiting period for Employment Insurance benefits to one week from two. We will end the higher 910-hour eligibility penalty for new workers and those re-entering the workforce, stopping the discrimination that makes it harder for some of Canada’s most precarious workers—including people who have left the workforce due to illness—from accessing the benefits that help them get back into the workforce. In addition, Employment Insurance processing will be a starting point for our new commitment to higher service standards in government, including waiting times.

The Liberal Party of Canada recognizes that the current system is not working for those who need it, and we are committed to change that will ensure that the federal governments supports Canadians when they need it most. A Liberal government will be committed to ensuring those who need EI benefits can access them quickly and reliably.

Further, a Liberal government will introduce a more flexible and accessible employment insurance compassionate care benefit. Too often, people are forced to leave their jobs and drain their personal savings to provide essential care. This is unfair. That is why we will change the criteria so that it applies to any Canadian who provides care to a seriously ill family member and will allow the six month benefit to be claimed in blocks of time over a year-long period, and by allowing family members to share the six months.

A Liberal government will be there for Canadians when they need it most.

Question 2 response:

A Liberal government will work to ensure Canadians have timely access to the disability benefits that they need and have earned and need. Making sure that Canadians are aware of the benefits available to them and how to claim them is an important first step in ensuring our social safety net remains strong. We are committed to raising the standard of service across government. We will ensure a higher standard of service, and a better client experience when Canadians interact with federal services.

We will create new performance standards for services offered by the federal government, including streamlining applications, reducing wait times, and money-back guarantees. Performance will be independently assessed and publicly reported. Reducing the appeal backlog at the Social Security Tribunal and ensuring it has the resources required to prevent such backlogs in the future will be a priority for a Liberal government.

Furthermore, the Liberal Party of Canada is committed to working with the provinces to phase in a fully funded expansion of the CPP.

Question 3 answer:

A Liberal government will work with the provinces to lower drug costs.

Liberals know that the rising cost of prescription drugs is taking a bigger piece out of the average Canadian’s paycheque each year. It is unacceptable that in a county as successful and as prosperous as Canada, one in ten Canadians do not fill a needed prescription because they cannot afford it and as many as one in three skip doses so the medication lasts longer. This leads to deteriorating health and increased hospital visits, having a detrimental impact on individual health, and driving up health care costs up over the long term. We are committed to meeting with the premiers to talk about how to strengthen health care by making measurable progress on the issues that matter to Canadians.

Please keep an eye out in the days to come for more details on the Liberal plan for health care.

Question 4 response:

The Liberal Party of Canada recognizes the importance of our publicly-funded universal health care system. It is a source of pride and comfort for Canadians. We believe that every Canadian must have access to timely, publically funded, quality, universal health care, regardless of background, physical needs, geographical location, or income. We believe that the quality of our health care system must be improved while maintaining its universality.

A Liberal government will call a federal-provincial meeting to reach a long-term agreement on health care funding. Together, we can make measurable progress on the issues that matter to Canadians – like wait times, the affordability of prescription drugs, the availability of homecare and community-based services, and coping with an aging population.

We also know that investing in home and community-based services is more cost effective and provides better outcomes for patients. To this end, we will make an unprecedented $20 billion investment in social infrastructure over the next ten years that will fund t, among other things, sorely needed affordable housing for seniors, long-term care infrastructure, and seniors’ facilities.

Please keep an eye out in the days to come for more details on the Liberal plan for health care.

Question 1 response:

A Liberal government will reduce the waiting period for Employment Insurance benefits to one week from two. We will end the higher 910-hour eligibility penalty for new workers and those re-entering the workforce, stopping the discrimination that makes it harder for some of Canada’s most precarious workers—including people who have left the workforce due to illness—from accessing the benefits that help them get back into the workforce. In addition, Employment Insurance processing will be a starting point for our new commitment to higher service standards in government, including waiting times.

The Liberal Party of Canada recognizes that the current system is not working for those who need it, and we are committed to change that will ensure that the federal governments supports Canadians when they need it most. A Liberal government will be committed to ensuring those who need EI benefits can access them quickly and reliably.

Further, a Liberal government will introduce a more flexible and accessible employment insurance compassionate care benefit. Too often, people are forced to leave their jobs and drain their personal savings to provide essential care. This is unfair. That is why we will change the criteria so that it applies to any Canadian who provides care to a seriously ill family member and will allow the six month benefit to be claimed in blocks of time over a year-long period, and by allowing family members to share the six months.

A Liberal government will be there for Canadians when they need it most.

Question 2 response:

A Liberal government will work to ensure Canadians have timely access to the disability benefits that they need and have earned and need. Making sure that Canadians are aware of the benefits available to them and how to claim them is an important first step in ensuring our social safety net remains strong. We are committed to raising the standard of service across government. We will ensure a higher standard of service, and a better client experience when Canadians interact with federal services.

We will create new performance standards for services offered by the federal government, including streamlining applications, reducing wait times, and money-back guarantees. Performance will be independently assessed and publicly reported. Reducing the appeal backlog at the Social Security Tribunal and ensuring it has the resources required to prevent such backlogs in the future will be a priority for a Liberal government.

Furthermore, the Liberal Party of Canada is committed to working with the provinces to phase in a fully funded expansion of the CPP.

Question 3 response:

A Liberal government will work with the provinces to lower drug costs.

Liberals know that the rising cost of prescription drugs is taking a bigger piece out of the average Canadian’s pay cheque each year. It is unacceptable that in a county as successful and as prosperous as Canada, one in ten Canadians do not fill a needed prescription because they cannot afford it and as many as one in three skip doses so the medication lasts longer. This leads to deteriorating health and increased hospital visits, having a detrimental impact on individual health, and driving up health care costs up over the long term. We are committed to meeting with the premiers to talk about how to strengthen health care by making measurable progress on the issues that matter to Canadians.

Please keep an eye out in the days to come for more details on the Liberal plan for health care.

Question 4 response:

The Liberal Party of Canada recognizes the importance of our publicly-funded universal health care system. It is a source of pride and comfort for Canadians. We believe that every Canadian must have access to timely, publicly funded, quality, universal health care, regardless of background, physical needs, geographical location, or income. We believe that the quality of our health care system must be improved while maintaining its universality.

A Liberal government will call a federal-provincial meeting to reach a long-term agreement on health care funding. Together, we can make measurable progress on the issues that matter to Canadians –like wait times, the affordability of prescription drugs, the availability of home care and community-based services, and coping with an aging population.

We also know that investing in home and community-based services is more cost effective and provides better outcomes for patients. To this end, we will make an unprecedented $20 billion investment in social infrastructure over the next ten years that will fund, among other things, sorely needed affordable housing for seniors, long-term care infrastructure, and seniors’ facilities.

Please keep an eye out in the days to come for more details on the Liberal plan for health care.

Sincerely,

John Oliver

Liberal candidate for Oakville

As a double cancer survivor, I am acutely aware that the federal government, when it distributes federal research dollars, does so unevenly across the country. Nova Scotia receives on average about 1/3rd the per capita cancer research allocation that Ontario does. Whatever I can do, I will do to ensure a better balance across the country. Cancer is part of my life, and it will be on my agenda in Ottawa.

I worked with many constituents on CPP disability benefit problems. I know that accessing these benefits can be a nightmare. The paperwork is endless and if you think it’s bad when the illness is physical, it is manifold worse when the illness is mental and doesn’t show up on an X-ray or MRI. Part of the problem is that under the Conservative government, the Canadian Government is no longer in the business of serving Canadians. The Liberal Party is committed to making it easier for Canadians to access the services that their government is supposed to provide.

I appreciate your specific questions. My door is always open when it comes to discussing cancer research, cancer care and, hopefully one day, a cancer cure.

-Bill

This devastating disease is becoming significantly more prominent, affecting our neighbours, our friends and our peers. In today’s society, we can all say that we have known someone, directly or indirectly, that has experienced, and fought, the hardships of this disease. That being said, when seeing the courage and positive energy of patients and survivors alike, we are reminded that we must not despair. While much work is still required, we must not shy away from adopting bold and effective approaches to evidence-based policy making in order to increase innovation and research in the medical field.

Below you will find my response to your survey questions.

Question 1: Employment Insurance Sickness Benefits

The Employment Insurance Program in Canada offers temporary financial assistance to unemployed workers. This assistance includes providing sickness benefits to employees unable to work because of sickness, injury or quarantine and who would otherwise be available to work, with sickness benefits up to a maximum of 15 weeks. However, most cancer patients spend more than 15 weeks receiving or recovering from cancer treatment.

If elected, will your government:

A) Recognize that there is a need for a new process that recognizes that some patients, including cancer patients, experience extended periods of treatment and recovery, and hold open consultations with Canadians about how this process will be developed and implemented?

· Yes, consultative processes are key in such complex policy questions. Consulting with all stakeholders will allow us to fully understand the issue and by extension, its socioeconomic impacts which would facilitate the development of feasible and effective policy options.

· In addition, the Party has formally announced its commitment to Employment Insurance for Compassionate Care benefits which aims to assist family members who are caring for a family member who is severally ill with an investment of $190 million per year (for more information: http://www.liberal.ca/realchange/better-compassionate-support-for-caregivers)

B) Use the results of these consultations to lengthen sickness benefits for Canadians undergoing treatment for cancer as well as other serious illnesses that require long periods of treatment or recovery so that Canadians who are ill are not penalized by the current limit of 15 weeks of sickness benefits?

· If elected, a Liberal government will be committed to evidence-based policy implementation. That is to say, the findings from the consultative process will inform of the most efficient approach to addressing the issue of sickness benefits. In our view, a responsible government is one who takes care of the people who need it most as opposed to perpetuating institutional challenges to those who are intended to be beneficiaries of such aid.

C) Cancel the two-week waiting period for EI Sickness Benefits so that sick Canadians are not penalized?

· After careful review of the reasons behind such delays, and research pertaining to addressing processing delays, adequate mitigation measures will be considered and put in place in order to facilitate the application and approval processes.

Question 2: Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefits

The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Disability Benefit is a taxable monthly payment that is available to people who have contributed to the CPP and who are not able to work regularly at any job because of a disability (http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/services/pensions/cpp/disability/benefit/). However, about 60 per cent of CPP disability claimants are initially turned down, one of the highest rejection rates for a disability insurance program among the nations of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). In addition, the new appeal system has still not cleared the backlog of 11,000 cases, resulting in some patients left unable to work but without benefits for years.

If elected, will your government:

A) Conduct an investigation into the reasons why 60 per cent of disability claimants are initially turned down.

· Absolutely. A review of the current modus operandi will allow us to further understand the rationale behind declined claim applications. Once an adequate review has been conducted, then a Liberal government can begin examining what mechanisms can be put in place to fully resolve the issue.

B) Ensure that Canadians are informed about how to properly and successfully apply for CPP Disability Benefits.

· Information sharing is key to any successful government program, irrespective of its nature. An awareness raising campaign and easily accessible, fully documented, user-friendly tools should be available to all Canadians.

C) Provide the tribunal with the resources it needs to quickly clear the remaining backlog of cases and ensure that necessary resources are in place to prevent the buildup of backlogs in the future.

· While it may be premature at this juncture to commit to funding and resources without adequately having examined the situation, the Liberal party of Canada can commit to ensuring that all findings will be taken into consideration and that a consultative process in order to assess the feasibility of remedial options will inform the decision making process with respect to this issue.

Question 3: National Pharmacare Program

A new study[ii] released in July 2015 makes a compelling case for expanding our universal public health care system to include the cost of prescription medicines. In addition, a recent poll by the Angus Reid Institute[iii] found that more than 90 per cent of Canadians back the concept of pharmacare.

A) What is your party’s position on the creation of a national pharmacare program?

· While the Liberal party of Canada has not fully established a policy stance vis-a-vis a National Pharmacare program, a Policy Resolution for Funding Health Care addressed a national Pharmacare Program (for further information, please refer to our website https://www.liberal.ca/policy-resolutions/153-priority-resolution-funding-health-care/ )

B) How will your party ensure that a national pharmacare program will not reduce the number of prescription medicines available to Canadian patients?

As previously mentioned, as a Party who values expertise and consultative processes, the creation of a Pharamcare program as well as other programs more generally, would not be implemented without having fully examined all potential impacts to Canadians. A liberal government is committed to being a responsible government. In doing so, such critical effects would be considered and counter balanced with proper mechanisms to ensure that a program facilitates access rather than posing additional challenges to an already heavily overloaded (and often fragmented) system.

C) Will your party support a new federal equalization payment for national pharmacare so that all provinces are able to cover the same comprehensive range of prescription drugs, with timely new additions on a regular basis?

· Similarly to my response in section b), it is too premature to commit to specific clauses or practices that a National Pharmacare program would entail. Instead of stating specific measures and/or promises, I would rather be transparent in saying that there is no doubt that a thorough assessment of the situation is necessary and specific courses of action to remedy shortcomings is indeed necessary. The way in which the Liberal Party of Canada aims to address such issues, is once again, ensuring that we engage in the conversation with all actors and stakeholders, including the provinces. Once those consultations have been established, and issues have been adequately identified, an accurate situational awareness will inform the process and next steps pertaining to the pragmatic aspect of implementing such policies, processes and measures.

Question 4: National Healthcare Leadership

How would your party show leadership in work with the provinces and territories on healthcare issues?

A) Would your party modify federal transfers to the provinces so that they are age-adjusted and not just based on population numbers?

B) Please indicate other ways that your party would show federal leadership on healthcare issues.

· As mentioned above, the Liberal Party of Canada is committed to health care for all Canadians and has demonstrated leadership in its commitments (e.g. https://www.liberal.ca/files/2015/08/better_compassionate_support_for_caregivers.pdf ). Our leader, Justin Trudeau, has promised a genuine partnership with the provinces to negotiate a long-term funding agreement in which he committed to reviewing the issue of equalization while taking into account the current taxation framework. We acknowledge that current discrepancies and gaps within the healthcare system are the result of its complex nature. This implies that on the one hand, Ottawa cannot act alone and on the other, the provinces cannot alleviate existing pressures. Therefore, a collaborative, open approach is not only necessary but imperative at this juncture. If elected, a liberal government is committed to engaging with the provinces and territories in a true partnership in an effort to develop effective, long-term solutions.

Once again, thank you for taking the time to reach out to me and providing with the opportunity to share my viewpoints with you. I hope that my response has shed some light on our position on these very important matters.

Should you require additional information or should you wish to discuss this matter further, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely submitted,

Alexandra Mendes, Candidate for the Liberal Party of Canada, Brossard – Saint-Lambert

Question 1 response: 

The Liberal plan will reduce Employment Insurance premiums paid by employers beginning in 2017. We will reduce the waiting period for benefits from 2 weeks to 1. We will reduce wait times for claims processing. We will put an end to higher hours needed by new workers and those re-entering the workforce. We will improve parental leave and compassionate care benefits.

Under a Liberal government the Employment Insurance program will ensure that more Canadian workers can get access the benefits that they need. We will introduce an improved Compassionate Care Benefit so that 6 months of benefits are available to those providing care for a seriously ill family member. This will no longer just be available to those caring for a loved one at risk of death.

If elected, we will repeal the 2012 changes to Employment Insurance that have caused hardship for so many.

Question 2 response: 

A Liberal government will introduce measures to strengthen the role of parliamentary committee chairs and allow for a more robust system of oversight and legislation. We will have a government that is open and transparent – an effective government that gets things done.

We will create a central, no-fee portal for personal information requests. If the information is not disclosed within 30 days the reasons will have to be disclosed, in writing, to the applicant and the Privy Commissioner’s Office.

We will make changes that will let Members of Parliament do what they are supposed to do – represent their constituents. Your elected MP will be able to find the people who can get answers for you when you run into roadblocks with issues such as disability benefits.

We are aware of the CPP Disability backlog and feel that it is a symptom of government that is not working as well as it could. A Liberal government will sincerely try to change for the better the way things happen in Ottawa and endeavor to serve the Canadian people fairly and efficiently.

Question 3 response: 

A survey of Canadian attitudes towards developing a national pharmacare program was commissioned by the Canadian Pharmacists Association in
July 2015. Overall, a strong majority (79%) of Canadians support the idea of a national pharmacare program, with support consistently high across demographic and political subgroups.

A Liberal government will meet with the provinces and territories on issues of shared concern. There is much good work being done by these partners in areas such as the environment, education and healthcare reform. A national pharmacy program is something that we expect to be on the agenda.

In February, 2014 Liberal party passed Policy Resolution 153 in Montreal. Policy resolutions are not necessarily part of election platforms but they can give an indication of how a party views an issue.

Question 4 response: 

The following quote sums up nicely the situation with federal health transfers:

“The Canada Health Transfer (CHT) is the primary federal contribution to health care in Canada. Between 2013-14 and 2014-15, aggregate cash transfers to the provinces and territories will increase by 6 per cent, as per the legislated escalator. However, 2014-15 is the first year in which CHT cash is distributed on an equal per capita basis to all provinces, even though that program design change had been announced in Budget 2007. As a result, Alberta and Northwest Territories experience substantial growth in their CHT entitlements (37.8 per cent and 45.2 per cent respectively), while most other provinces and territories experience increases of less than 4 per cent.”
Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) June 19, 2014.

Policy Resolution 38 addresses federal leadership on healthcare.

Thank you for inviting us to complete the questionnaire. We will bring it to the attention of our policy makers.

Sincerely,

Team Sean

Question 1 response:

Un gouvernement libéral réduira de deux à une semaine le délai de carence pour l’obtention des prestations d’assurance-emploi. Nous mettrons aussi fin a? la pénalité plus élevée de 910 heures pour celles et ceux qui font leur entrée sur le marché du travail ou y retournent après une absence, éliminant ainsi la discrimination qui empêche certains des travailleurs canadiens les plus précaires, notamment les personnes ayant quitté le marché du travail en raison de la maladie, d’avoir accès à une aide dont ils ont bien besoin pour redevenir des travailleurs actifs. De plus, nous ferons du traitement des demandes à l’assurance-emploi le point de départ de notre nouvel engagement pour des normes de services plus élevées, y compris la réduction des délais d’attente.

Le Parti libéral du Canada reconnaît que le système actuel ne sert pas ceux qui en ont besoin, et il est déterminé à opérer un changement qui lui permettra de soutenir les Canadiennes et les Canadiens dans les moments où ils sont les plus vulnérables. Un gouvernement libéral assurera aux travailleurs un accès rapide et fiable aux prestations d’assurance-emploi.

De plus, un gouvernement libéral mettra en place des prestations de compassion aux aidants naturels plus souples et plus accessibles. Trop souvent, et bien injustement, les aidants naturels sont forcés de quitter leur emploi et de puiser dans leurs économies pour prodiguer ces soins indispensables. Voilà pourquoi nous allons modifier les critères pour que le programme s’applique à tous les Canadiens et les Canadiennes qui prodiguent des soins à un membre de leur famille atteint d’une maladie grave et pour que les prestations de six mois puissent être réparties en différents blocs à l’intérieur d’une période d’un an et partagées entre les membres d’une famille.

Un gouvernement libéral aidera les Canadiennes et les Canadiens dans les moments où ils sont les plus vulnérables.

Question 2 response:

Un gouvernement libéral veillera à ce que les Canadiennes et les Canadiens accèdent rapidement, lorsqu’ils en ont besoin, aux prestations d’invalidité auxquelles ils ont droit. En les renseignant bien sur ces prestations et sur la marche à suivre pour les obtenir, nous ferons déjà un premier pas important vers un système de sécurité sociale qui demeure solide. Nous entendons par ailleurs rehausser les normes de service à l’échelle du gouvernement et offrir une expérience améliorée aux Canadiennes et aux Canadiens qui interagissent avec l’appareil fédéral.

De plus, nous créerons de nouvelles normes de rendement pour les services qu’offre le gouvernement fédéral, y compris en simplifiant les demandes, en réduisant les délais d’attente et en offrant des remboursements garantis. Le rendement sera évalué de manière indépendante et les résultats seront communiqués au public. L’une des priorités d’un gouvernement libéral sera de faire débloquer les recours devant le Tribunal de la sécurité sociale et de mettre en place des mécanismes visant à prévenir de tels blocages à l’avenir.

En outre, le Parti libéral du Canada s’engage à travailler avec les provinces pour étendre graduellement et financer entièrement le Régime de pensions du Canada.

Question 3 response:

Un gouvernement libéral collaborera avec les provinces pour réduire le coût des médicaments sur ordonnance.

Les libéraux savent que le prix croissant des médicaments sur ordonnance accapare chaque année une plus grande partie du chèque de paie du Canadien moyen. Dans un pays aussi prospère que le Canada, il est inimaginable qu’une personne sur dix indique ne pas avoir les moyens de se procurer des médicaments qui lui ont été prescrits, ou que jusqu’à une personne sur trois omette des doses pour que son médicament dure plus longtemps. Non seulement cet état de fait menace la santé des Canadiennes et des Canadiens, mais il augmente les visites à l’hôpital et risque de faire grimper le coût des soins de santé à long terme. Nous nous sommes donné pour mission de rencontrer les dirigeants des provinces afin de discuter avec eux d’un plan qui nous permettra de renforcer le système de soins de santé en faisant progresser les dossiers que les Canadiennes et les Canadiens ont à cœur.

Dans les prochaines semaines, soyez à l’affût des détails sur le programme libéral en matière de santé.

Question 4 response:

Le Parti libéral du Canada croit que tous les Canadiens et Canadiennes doivent avoir accès rapidement à des soins de santé de qualité, universels et financés par l’État, sans égard à leur origine, à leurs besoins physiques, à leur situation géographique ou à leur revenu. Le régime public d’assurance maladie universelle constitue une source de fierté et de réconfort pour la population canadienne. Nous croyons qu’il est possible et même nécessaire d’améliorer la qualité des soins et de maintenir leur universalité.

Un gouvernement libéral convoquera une réunion fédérale-provinciale en vue de parvenir à une entente à long terme sur le financement des soins de santé. Ensemble, nous pouvons réaliser des progrès mesurables sur des questions qui touchent directement la population canadienne, telles que les temps d’attente, l’accessibilité des médicaments sur ordonnance, la disponibilité des soins à domicile et des services communautaires et les défis relatifs à une population vieillissante.

Nous savons aussi qu’investir dans les services à domicile et les services communautaires serait plus économique et plus bénéfique pour les patients que ce qui se fait actuellement. Dans cette optique, nous injecterons presque 20 milliards de dollars sur dix ans – du jamais vu – dans les infrastructures sociales, notamment les infrastructures de soins de longue durée, les logements abordables et les résidences pour personnes âgées, où les besoins sont particulièrement criants.

Dans les prochaines semaines, soyez à l’affût des détails sur le programme libéral en matière de santé.

COMPASSIONATE CARE BENEFIT

The Liberal Party of Canada is committed to building an accessible and inclusive society for all Canadians.

We will introduce a more flexible and accessible Employment Insurance Compassionate Care Benefit, so that six months of benefits are available to those who are providing care to a seriously ill family member.

We will work with the provinces and territories to assess how successfully the Employment Insurance system is delivering its core mandate to provide income security to workers in a changing labour market. This will result in changes to the program that ensure more Canadian workers, particularly those in more insecure work, can get access to the benefits they need. We will make the appropriate legislative and policy changes to ensure that Employment Insurance contributions are only used to fund Employment Insurance benefits and programs, and are not used by the government to fund other programs.

Our enhancements to Employment Insurance will apply to the 2017 calendar year.

DISABILITY ISSUES

Canadians with disabilities continue to face significantly higher rates of poverty and unemployment and unequal access to goods and services, including government services. We believe the federal government must work in concert with provinces and territories, as well as with Canadians with disabilities and their advocates, to build a truly equal society without barriers to participation.

The Liberal Party has a strong record of supporting Canadians with disabilities. It was a Liberal government that invested in employment and income supports for disabled Canadians, broadened eligibility for the Disability Tax Credit, and expanded the list of disability supports allowable under the Disability Supports Deduction. The Conservative government has paid lip service to the needs of Canadians with disabilities, claiming publicly to be acting yet failing to meet major pledges. Four years after ratifying the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Conservatives have yet to implement it.

The Liberal Party of Canada pledges to fully implement the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and take substantive action to address the barriers faced by Canadians with disabilities.

We also know that too many Canadians are forced to leave their jobs and drain their savings to provide essential care to ailing loved ones. Not only is the current system unfair, but it hurts our economy. That is why in addition to cutting taxes for the middle class and creating a larger Canada Child Benefit, a Liberal government will make care-giving benefits available to any Canadian providing care to a seriously ill family member. We will also make the program more flexible by allowing the six-month benefit to be claimed in blocks of time over a year-long period. Our plan will make a real difference for those who need it most by providing caregivers with the financial support and job security they need during these especially difficult times. Our caregiving benefit is an investment of $190 million per year and will require no increase in Employment Insurance premiums. We also support the Registered Disability Savings Plan.

Liberals also understand the challenges facing many family members of Canadians with disabilities who often face additional constraints when it comes to balancing work and caring for their loved ones. That is why Liberals put forward a plan to give Canadians the flexibility to schedule their time in a way that works best for their families.

Leading by example, a Liberal government will amend the Canada Labour Code to provide every federally regulated worker with the legal right to make a formal request to their employer – without fear of reprisal – for more ?exible working conditions, including ?exible start and ?nish times, and the ability to work from home.

Similar to the system in place in the United Kingdom, employers will be required to formally respond to such requests. In the UK, the vast majority of applications have been granted.

We will also work with interested provinces and territories so that they can offer the same rights to workers under their jurisdiction.

Canadians deserve a government that understands the needs of modern working families. A Liberal government will deliver real change that grows our economy while helping families spend more quality time together.

PHARMACARE

In regards to your questions relating to Pharmacare: I agree that the cost of prescription drugs is becoming increasingly expensive and therefore inaccessible for Canadians. This being said, I can assure you that a Liberal government will work with the provinces to lower drug costs.

Liberals have committed to meeting with the premiers to talk about how to strengthen health care by making measurable progress on the issues that matter to Canadians like wait times, the affordability of prescription drugs, and the availability of homecare.

For more information on Liberal health policy, please visit: http://www.liberal.ca/realchange/?search=health

Thank you again for your email, and your commitment to good public policy.

Best regards,

Joyce Murray, Liberal Candidate
Vancouver-Quadra

Thank you for your inquiry about my views and the Liberal policy on issues of concern to the Canadian Cancer Survivor Network. I appreciate the opportunity to respond as Liberal candidate for Malpeque, PEI and for the Liberal Party of Canada.

Certainly the challenges are often difficult for individuals, families and communities who are coping with cancer and its treatment. While science and medicine are indispensible, we also know that the support of our family, friends and institutions is often as important in the personal and collective fight against cancer and for recovery. The work of the Canadian Cancer Survivor Network is much appreciated in this effort. Your leadership and active interest in health care issues are indicative of the importance which Canadians express as we continue to develop our health care system among the provinces and the nation.

During the current election period I have become increasingly aware, as I listen to the voters, that Canadians have a strong desire for more active, assertive and meaningful Federal leadership on many issues, including health care issues. I and other Liberal candidates and our leader Justin Trudeau are hearing every day that the incumbent government is failing in its national leadership responsibilities, not least of which in moving us forward in health policy. So, I can assure you that, if we form a Liberal Government on October 19, we will work for real change for Canadians as we seek solutions to issues you and others see as important for our communities.

You thoughtfully have asked me to respond on several issues, for which I am pleased to state our Liberal policies, which I endorse and which I will help to fulfill in office:

Question 1 response:

My response is that I certainly believe in consultation and I will, if elected to government, help facilitate dialogue on these issues.

I am pleased to say that we are proposing several measures in response to the issues you are emphasising:

A Liberal government will reduce the waiting period for Employment Insurance benefits to one week from two. We will end the higher 910-hour eligibility penalty for new workers and those re-entering the workforce, stopping the discrimination that makes it harder for some of Canada’s most precarious workers—including people who have left the workforce due to illness—from accessing the benefits that help them get back into the workforce. In addition, Employment Insurance processing will be a starting point for our new commitment to higher service standards in government, including waiting times.

The Liberal Party of Canada recognizes that the current system is not working for those who need it, and we are committed to change that will ensure that the federal governments supports Canadians when they need it most. A Liberal government will be committed to ensuring those who need EI benefits can access them quickly and reliably.

Further, a Liberal government will introduce a more flexible and accessible employment insurance compassionate care benefit. Too often, people are forced to leave their jobs and drain their personal savings to provide essential care. This is unfair. That is why we will change the criteria so that it applies to any Canadian who provides care to a seriously ill family member and will allow the six month benefit to be claimed in blocks of time over a year-long period, and by allowing family members to share the six months.

A Liberal government will be there for Canadians when they need it most.

Question 2 response:

I am well aware that the CPP disability benefits are important to many Canadians. We see daily in our communities and for families and individuals the challenges of meeting the needs of those balancing financial stress with health concerns. I look forward to discussing ways in which the system can be improved and CPP resources can be optimally allocated to achieve the social goals to which Canadians aspire.

We are proposing several actions:

A Liberal government will work to ensure Canadians have timely access to the disability benefits that they need and have earned. Making sure that Canadians are aware of the benefits available to them and how to claim them is an important first step in ensuring our social safety net remains strong. We are committed to raising the standard of service across government. We will ensure a higher standard of service, and a better client experience when Canadians interact with federal services.

A Liberal government will create new performance standards for services offered by the federal government, including streamlining applications, reducing wait times, and money-back guarantees. Performance will be independently assessed and publicly reported. Reducing the appeal backlog at the Social Security Tribunal and ensuring it has the resources required to prevent such backlogs in the future will be a priority for a Liberal government.

Furthermore, consistent with our history of “nation building” the Liberal Party of Canada if elected, is committed to working with the provinces to phase in a fully funded expansion of the CPP.

Question 3 response:

Our approach to this issue includes several practical steps:

A Liberal government will work with the provinces to lower drug costs.

Liberals know that the rising cost of prescription drugs is taking a bigger piece out of the average Canadian’s paycheque each year. It is unacceptable that in a county as successful and as prosperous as Canada, one in ten Canadians do not fill a needed prescription because they cannot afford it and as many as one in three skip doses so the medication lasts longer. This leads to deteriorating health and increased hospital visits, having a detrimental impact on individual health, and driving up health care costs up over the long term. We are committed to meeting with the premiers to talk about how to strengthen health care by making measurable progress on the issues that matter to Canadians.

In the days to come we expect to provide further information on the Liberal plan for health care policy.

Question 4 response:

As I noted in the introduction to this letter, Canadians want Federal Leadership on the issues, including national healthcare.

Our approach to real change will be a determined effort to rebuild the confidence of Canadians in Federal Leadership. Where health care policy is concerned:

The Liberal Party of Canada recognizes the importance of our publicly-funded universal health care system. It is a source of pride and comfort for Canadians. We believe that every Canadian must have access to timely, publically funded, quality, universal health care, regardless of background, physical needs, geographical location, or income. We believe that the quality of our health care system must be improved while maintaining its universality.

A Liberal government will call a federal-provincial meeting to reach a long-term agreement on health care funding. Together, we can make measurable progress on the issues that matter to Canadians – like wait times, the affordability of prescription drugs, the availability of homecare and community-based services, and coping with an aging population.

We also know that investing in home and community-based services is more cost effective and provides better outcomes for patients. To this end, we will make an unprecedented $20 billion investment in social infrastructure over the next ten years that will fund, among other things, sorely needed affordable housing for seniors, long-term care infrastructure, and seniors’ facilities.

May I also take this opportunity to describe to you the larger context of our economic and social policies designed to increase growth, raise incomes and re-establish a sense of confidence for Canadians. That is, a Liberal Government will work to reinvigorate our economy to redress the stagnation which has resulted in the slow economy in recent months and years. A more productive and growing economy will help us afford the kinds of measures you and many Canadians would like our Federal government to initiate and implement.

A Liberal government will make the largest infrastructure investment in Canadian history. We will nearly double federal infrastructure investment to $125 billion – from the current $65 billion – over the next decade, meaning additional $9.5 billion per year for infrastructure by year ten. As part of this investment, we will boost funding for social infrastructure by nearly $6 billion over the next four years and as stated above, almost $20 billion over ten years. This will include funding for recreational infrastructure, improving access to healthy-living facilities nation-wide. For more details, please see Liberal policies and priorities on RealChange.ca

Again, I thank you for your interest in the issues and in the policies of the Liberal Party of Canada. As candidate for Malpeque I am determined that if a Liberal Government is elected on October 19, I will work with our leader, Justin Trudeau, my Liberal colleagues, other Parliamentarians and the various stakeholders, to make health and social policy work effectively for Canadians.

If I may be of any further assistance with respect to hearing your views or answering your questions, please contact me at your convenience.

Yours truly,

Wayne Easter
Candidate, Malpeque

Greetings Friends at Canadian Cancer Survivor Network,

Firstly, know that cancer care is an issue close to my heart. I worked for a year at The Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto as a Spiritual Care Provider offering counselling to patients, their families and staff. Furthermore in my current work as a United Church Minister, cancer care continues to be a huge part of my professional life and I’ve seen first hand, the hardships that a diagnosis can have on a family, financially, emotionally and spiritually.

It is however against Elections Canada regulations for me to answer surveys like this about how I, or The Liberal Party would vote should we have the privilege of being elected. I would also add this is beyond the scope of candidates to answer questions of this nature.

What I can do as a candidate however is tell you that Canada’s Healthcare system is something I am a passionate defender of. I love the idea of national pharmacare because studies show it will save more money in the long run. Of course those dealing with a cancer diagnosis deserve dignity and support from their government and I would agree that is not happening now and hope a plan to tackle the issues with CPP disability and EI could quickly be fixed.

Cheers and Blessings
~Rev. Jeff Rock

Our public health care system is dependent on the leadership of our federal government to ensure stable funding and universal quality care for everyone. The upcoming federal election is your opportunity to ensure that Canada elects a federal government that will protect and expand public health care for all.

Healthcareforall.ca contains shareable and printable resources on the status of health care in Canada, as well as how to improve it and concrete ways for you to take action. Check it out today!