2021 Federal Election Campaign

Thank you for the opportunity to share the Liberal Party of Canada’s platform and positions on the areas of priority outlined in your letter. We are proud of the track record of the Liberal government in working to improve our public, universal health care system and are committed to continuing to invest to ensure Canadians receive the care they need.

From day one of the pandemic, we made significant investments to ensure Canadians could get the health care they need. Eight out of every ten dollars spent during the pandemic came from the federal government. We have made significant investments to support the provinces and territories in delivering health care, including through the $19 billion Safe Restart Agreement, as well as two top-ups to the Canada Health Transfer, including $4 billion earlier this summer. We also provided $3 billion to the provinces and territories in emergency wage boosts for essential workers.

We know that while we have been battling COVID-19, too many Canadians have had their treatments and health needs delayed. To help Canadians who have had their surgeries, procedures and diagnostics put on hold during the pandemic, we transferred $4 billion to the provinces and territories to eliminate the COVID-19 related backlog. A re-elected Liberal government will provide a further $6 billion in 2021-22 to ensure that health care waitlists can be tackled and eliminated. We will negotiate agreements with every province and territory to ensure that Canadians who are waiting for care, including cancer patients, get the treatment they need as quickly as possible, and that the primary care system is positioned for the future and able to deliver the care outcomes that Canadians need. This support will help the thousands of Canadians and their families dealing with critical illnesses including cancer.

We are the only party with a detailed plan to finish the fight against COVID-19, by requiring anyone who travels on a plane, train or cruise ship to be fully vaccinated; providing funding to any province or territory who establishes a proof of vaccination system; and investing in research into the long-term impacts of COVID-19. And we’ll make it illegal to intimidate doctors and nurses, or prevent people from getting the care they need, from treatment in hospital to abortion services. And we will undertake a full review of the needs of the Public Health Agency of Canada to make sure the lessons of COVID-19 result in meaningful change, so that we are prepared for future pandemics and have a health care system that can continue to respond to future crises.

We know that one of the most important ways to help Canadians get the care they need is to ensure that they don’t have to choose between their health and putting food on the table. That is why when the pandemic hit, we introduced three new temporary Recovery Benefits, to help Canadians who are unable to work because of COVID-19: the Canada Recovery Benefit, Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit, and the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit. We also temporarily waived the requirement to provide a medical certificate to access EI sickness benefits, to make sure benefits were delivered quickly.

The Liberal government also introduced legislation extending EI Sickness Benefits from 15 to 26 weeks, providing 169,000 Canadians every year with the additional time and flexibility they need to recover from their illness and return to work. This will permanently extend the EI sickness benefits from 15 to 26 weeks, coming into effect in summer 2022. This support will ensure Canadians can prioritize their health when they need to. And for family members who work so hard to support their loved ones through illness, we will expand the Canada Caregiver Credit into a refundable, tax-free benefit. This will help 200,000 more Canadians qualify, and increase support for 448,000 people, and allow caregivers to receive up to $1,250 per year.

We have heard the concerns from the health community regarding breast screening practices. A re-elected Liberal government will review the structure of the Task Force to ensure that it incorporates the best advice and scientific evidence into its recommendations and guidelines.

On behalf of our Leader, Justin Trudeau, and the entire Liberal team, thank you for writing to identify the major concerns of your membership.

We appreciate your interest in the Liberal Party of Canada’s policies as they relate to the issues which affect you.

Sincerely,
Liberal Party of Canada

Thank you for your email. I fought to increase the federal spending this year on cancer treatment and care, and am happy to answer your questions on the steps we’ve taken.

The Liberal Party understands the extreme pressure that the COVID-19 pandemic has placed on our healthcare system, which directly affects cancer treatment and support. The Liberal government has already injected $4.5 billion in one-time top-ups to the Canada Health Transfer since the pandemic started, to help address the pressures and reduce backlogs for patient care.

Budget 2021 proposes funding of $3.0 billion over five years to enhance sickness benefits from 15 to 26 weeks, as previously committed to in the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion’s mandate letter. This extension, which would take effect in summer 2022, would provide approximately 169,000 Canadians every year with additional time and flexibility to recover and return to work. This will directly help cancer patients undergoing lengthy treatments and increase their EI benefits to reflect their complex care needs.

I personally advocated for funding to support research on pediatric cancer, which we saw in Budget 2021, which will invest $30 million over two years, to the Canadian Institutes of Health Research to fund pediatric cancer research that can lead to better outcomes and healthier lives for young patients. The funding will support promising research projects with the greatest potential for fighting pediatric cancers.

I hope this helps to answer your questions. I encourage you to take a look at the Liberal government’s 2021 election platform.
Platform: www.liberal.ca/platform

Again, thank you for taking the time to write to me.

—
Pam Damoff
Liberal Candidate
Oakville North-Burlington

This particular issue is very personal to Jean Yip. As you may know, she lost her husband to cancer and was inspired to run for office after he passed, to finish the work he started in their riding while he was serving as a Member of Parliament. With regards to your questions, the Liberal platform addresses much of what you have raised. Too many Canadians had their care deferred during the pandemic, resulting in a significant backlog of surgeries, procedures, and diagnostics. But waitlists from before the pandemic persist as well. People are waiting longer for important services like MRIs and ultrasounds.

A re-elected Liberal government will:

- Immediately invest $6 billion—on top of $4 billion already committed—to support the elimination of health system waitlists.

- Negotiate agreements with every province and territory to ensure that Canadians who are waiting for care get the treatment they need as quickly as possible, and that the primary care system is positioned for the future and able to deliver the care outcomes that Canadians need.

Millions of Canadians face problems accessing primary care. We want to help solve this problem and improve Canadians’ access to universal, public health care.

A re-elected Liberal government will:

- Provide $3.2 billion to the provinces and territories for the hiring of 7,500 new family doctors, nurses, and nurse practitioners.

Canadians cherish their universal, publicly funded health care system. A two-tier system would worsen access and health outcomes for all of us.

Liberals believe that innovation in health care comes not from letting wealthy people cut the line, but by improving and expanding our public health care system. We have opposed extra billings and enforced the Canada Health Act on provinces who have promoted this practice.

A re-elected Liberal government will:

- Strengthen federal powers under the Canada Health Act and the Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act to deduct health transfers from provinces who enable extra billing for publicly insured services, in order to protect the integrity of our universal public health care system.

Canada’s Employment Insurance (EI) system is one of the most important protections workers have. Yet, prior to COVID-19, as many as 1 in 3 unemployed workers were denied EI coverage. Self-employed people — such as freelancers, contractors, and gig workers — are unable to contribute to the system.

COVID-19 has taught us that having programs we can all rely on matters. We believe that if you work, you should be covered.

A re-elected Liberal government will:

- Move forward with a stronger and more inclusive EI system that addresses gaps made obvious during COVID-19. Based on the input received from consultations on the future of EI that are currently underway, we will bring forward a vision for a new and modern EI system that covers all workers, including workers in seasonal employment, and which is simpler and more responsive for both workers and employers.

Jean will do some research on the Taskforce that you have mentioned and will be sure to raise the points you have mentioned to the next Health Minister.

Regards,
Sacha (Team Jean Yip)

The Green Party believes prevention is the best option. Delaying makes the situation worse, especially for conditions that need immediate attention and treatment such as for cancers.

My wife and I both have lost several family members to cancer. I currently have a family member going through cancer treatment who was diagnosed during COVID. It was found, and treated quickly, but we know many more aren’t so lucky. My dad also died in Dec, 2020 of an undetectable cancer that spread, found too late. We have a few other people we know who currently have cancer, and had cancer screenings delayed due to COVID. It was most worrisome for my wife as she is susceptible to uterine cancer due to PCOS.

Question 1: Cancer Can’t Wait: COVID-19 disruption of cancer care in Canada

A. Provide transfer payments to the provinces to be used to deal with the backlog of tests, procedures, and surgeries?

Yes. I would also like to add that we reevaluate the Canada Health Transfer (CHT) so that rural communities are being covered with an equitable amount of funding to meet the needs of the community. It is also our goal to use telemedicine, or virtual care to supplement where possible, especially in rural areas. Universal pharmacare.

B. Encourage the governments of provinces and territories to include the continuation of essential cancer care in planning for future crises and pandemics?

Yes. We want to order a public inquiry that evaluates the joint response between all levels of government with the purpose of examining what went well, and what could have been done better. Also create an intergovernmental rapid response task force, which can be activated immediately when facing an emergency. Prepare for future pandemics by investing in, and restructuring our health care, and long-term care systems.

C. Ensure that the Public Health Agency of Canada takes cancer patients’ need for dependable access to medical care into account in their plans and recommendations for future pandemics?

Yes. It is also our goal to ensure that Canada has a robust capacity for pharmaceutical manufacturing. Ensure that Canada has a sufficient PPE stockpile by increasing domestic production.Dedicate specific funding to strengthening the integration of public health with community-based primary care as the first access point of the health care system. Provide the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) with long-term funding to protect public health, and to be ready with surge capacity in the event of a crisis.

Question 2: Employment Insurance Sickness Benefits

A. Recognize that there is a need for a new process that acknowledges 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.

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?

Yes.

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

Yes.

The Green Party also has the goal to implement a Guaranteed Livable Income program. It would serve as a supplement for, and complement to existing public services, and unlike provincial welfare regulations, would not discourage work. It would also replace other government programs such as disability, welfare, EI.

The Guaranteed Livable Income program would cover everyone, with a benefit amount gradually decreasing as other income increases. Seniors’ and children’s benefits would remain in place. We also want to improve, and strengthen parental leave.  Make parental leave more inclusive so it covers leave to care for elderly family members, leave following miscarriages, and more, and more flexible, and better paid. Universal child care. Also change the Home Renovation Tax Credit from $10,000 per household to $10,000 per person for more people to age in place, which may be needed if the cancer leads to a disability.

Question 3: Breast Cancer Screening

A. Place a moratorium on the use of the 2018 guidelines and create a new Task Force which incorporates relevant expert opinion?

Yes.

B. Ensure that the flawed process and lack of accountability of the Task Force be reviewed and revised to align with international guidelines and methodology standards?

Yes.

C. Ensure that future guideline panels include content experts and patients?

Yes.

D. Create a new Task Force which accurately incorporates relevant expert opinion?

Yes.

It is also our policy to encourage the most people to get the vaccine would reduce the number of COVID patients taking up valuable beds.

I also came across an article regarding the mRNA technology where they are in trials to hopefully find a cure for cancer.

Additional information on Green Party policies to reduce cancer risks:

-Pass legislation to give Canadians the right to a healthy environment, promoting greater transparency

-Set targets for reducing the use of pesticides in agriculture through programs to assist farmers in moving to organic, and regenerative farming.

-Strengthen the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) to limit the approval, and use of toxic chemicals that affect our health, and environment.

-Invoke the precautionary principle in making decisions about approvals of products, substances, projects, and processes where there is the potential for irreversible harm. If there is no scientific proof of safety, then approval will be withheld.

-Revive, and expand the National Pesticides Monitoring, and Surveillance Network.

-Create an adverse effects reporting database for doctors, and emergency rooms to keep track of health impacts of pesticides, and other chemicals.

-Ban neonicotinoid pesticides, which kill bees, and other pollinators, and support farmers in shifting to alternatives.

-Ban all forestry, and cosmetic uses of glyphosate-based herbicides as well as their use as a pre-harvest desiccant.

-Ban all toxic ingredients in personal care products.

-Develop a national water strategy to ensure safe drinking water for all Canadians.

Thank you for speaking out on this issue.

Sincerely,

Mark Vercouteren
Green Party Candidate for Chatham-Kent—Leamington

Thank you for connecting and advocating for cancer survivors.

In the beginning of my financial advisor career 18 years ago, the stats on cancer was one in 3 and now it becomes one in 2 Canadians will develop cancer in their lifetime. It is a sad trend.

You are correct that COVID had taken all the focus from everything else which was as important. The 3 levels of government had not given in time nor best respond to the COVID breakout which leads to unmendable damage. We cannot afford to let that worsen. The Green Party of Canada stands by social justice and respect for diversity. We push for equity for everyone, which of course includes cancer survivors.

As the MP candidate for Markham-Thornhill, I vow to improve our healthcare system and give Canadians more support. Please also check out my platform at teammimilee.ca to find out more of what I stand for including pharmacare expansion.

Mimi Lee
Markham-Thornhill MP candidate for the Green Party

Thanks so much for sharing your concern. The Green Party will work closely with the province to look at your concerns and best way to allocate the health transfer money allocated to the province. The Green Party will be raising the health transfer to the provinces. The annual increase of health transfer went down in 2018 from 6% to GDP growth with floor increase of 3%.

Life is unpredictable and the pandemic has shown that. The Green Party will implement Guaranteed Livable Income, which is a comprehensive safety net that all Canadians need when life changing events happen. The Green Party will prioritize the health and safety of Canadians first.

Thanks so much for bringing this to my attention. Let me know if you have further questions.

Regards,

Elvin Kao
Markham—Unionville MP Candidate
Green Party of Canada

Thank you for your activism around needed healthcare in this 2021 Election!

You have my support for the important changes your network recommends. Greens will work to:

1. Provide transfer payments to the provinces to be used to deal with the backlog of tests, procedures, and surgeries.
2. Encourage the governments of provinces and territories to include the continuation of essential cancer care in planning for future crises and pandemics.
3. Ensure that the Public Health Agency of Canada takes cancer patients’ need for dependable access to medical care into account in their plans and recommendations for future pandemics.

Question 2 response: Employment Insurance Sickness Benefits

Greens will work to:

1. Recognize that there is a need for a new process that acknowledges 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.
2. 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.
3. Cancel the two-week waiting period for EI Sickness Benefits so that sick Canadians are not penalized.

Question 3 Response: Breast Cancer Screening

Greens will work to:

1. Place a moratorium on the use of the 2018 guidelines and create a new Task Force which incorporates relevant expert opinion.
2. Ensure that the flawed process and lack of accountability of the Task Force be reviewed and revised to align with international guidelines and methodology standards.
3. Ensure that future guideline panels include content experts and patients.
4. Create a new Task Force which accurately incorporates relevant expert opinion.

Kind regards,

Janine

Thank you for your questions. As a candidate for the Green Party of Canada and as a cancer survivor, whose partner is a cancer survivor, I appreciate the opportunity to answer.

Question 1: Cancer Can’t Wait: COVID-19 disruption of cancer care in Canada

A. Provide transfer payments to the provinces to be used to deal with the backlog of tests, procedures, and surgeries? YES

B. Encourage the governments of provinces and territories to include the continuation of essential cancer care in planning for future crises and pandemics? YES

C. Ensure that the Public Health Agency of Canada takes cancer patients’ need for dependable access to medical care into account in their plans and recommendations for future pandemics? YES

Question 2: Employment Insurance Sickness Benefits

A. Recognize that there is a need for a new process that acknowledges 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

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? YES

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

Question 3: Breast Cancer Screening

A. Place a moratorium on the use of the 2018 guidelines and create a new Task Force which incorporates relevant expert opinion? YES

B. Ensure that the flawed process and lack of accountability of the Task Force be reviewed and revised to align with international guidelines and methodology standards? YES

C. Ensure that future guideline panels include content experts and patients? YES

D. Create a new Task Force which accurately incorporates relevant expert opinion? YES

It is very clear to me that the Canadian Cancer Survivor Network, along with a large number of other NGOs, need more attention, more funding, and more support than promises from politicians at election time once every two to four years. Because of the overlap of jurisdictions, Federal and Provincial, and because of the bureaucracy at every level of government, the very important work you are doing is hampered. Governments are all too happy to let NGOs carry the many burdens they do and take on duties and responsibilities that should be handled by the state.

In light of the many requests for support I’m getting, from many truly deserving NGOs I feel there should be a separate government department created for the express purpose of supporting NGOs and cutting red tape. The Canadian Cancer Survivor Network shouldn’t have to apply to the Minister of Health, the Minister of Labour, or the Minister Responsible for Housing (oh, wait there is none) in an effort to make the lives of Cancer patients and survivors, and their families, easier.

Thanks for taking the time to contact the Green campaign in Ottawa South. My eldest sister is a survivor of breast cancer, so I value your advocacy very highly.

Our candidate, Les Schram, is in the distribution for this message but is typically completely overwhelmed these days with scheduling personal appointments with various community organizations. Please accept our apologies if Les is unable to reply in person to your questionnaire during the campaign.

In terms of somewhat related issue campaigns designed to move public policy forward, Greens support paid sick leave for all workers. Greens have been campaigning for months now to improve protections for workers in the long term care (LTC) sector and a universal LTC program for all Canadians.

Greens definitely agree with you about the key lesson of the ongoing pandemic: none of us are healthy and safe until we all truly enjoy the same basic standards of care and equal access.

Thank you for all that you do, and kind regards,
James
CEO (2021-22)
Ottawa South Federal Green Party Association

You can count on me.

Thank you!

My response is yes to all questions.

Thank you for sending this information. It was an eye-opener.

Ann McAllister
Green Party Candidate for Saint John – Rothesay

Thank you for writing about this very serious and time sensitive matter. I agree with you that we need to do much better in taking care of cancer patients who are facing huge delays in their treatment. I would do everything I could, if elected, to support any action that is in my power to help with this situation.

Sincerely,
Maryem

I agree with all these statements and am deeply committed to irradiating cancer by any and all means. Thank you.

Unblind Tibbin

Thank you so much for writing to me with your questions and your good work. My mother is a cancer survivor and has been receiving cancer treatment for five years. BC Cancer Agency has been doing a great job with our treatment and care. So I do understand how the pandemic has impacted cancer survivors like my mom. I agree with all your detailed demands of the incoming government and educate me about the impact of pandemic on cancer treatments. In the Green Party we work with scientists and researchers to help policy and government. I’m a therapeutic counsellor and have also been involved in research around mental health and understand the pandemic has also impacted our mental health.

With thanks,

Sincerely,

Imtiaz Popat
Vancouver Granville
Green Party of Canada Candidate

This is a two part answer.

The first is, yes, of course. Money and resources need to be made available.

The second part is that we need to recognize that many of these cancers are a response to the environment that we are creating. Our food system is not only producing produce of dubious quality, it is being contaminated with all sorts of synthetic toxins. Children nibble on plastic, ingest GMOs, which evidence shows effects epigenetics of future life. Cancer is becoming an epidemic, yet we refuse to act before the fact and instead react once the horse has left the barn.

Wayne james

Countless Canadians unfortunately are faced with the burden of cancer in one way or another. To put it concisely, my position is that under no circumstances should our healthcare system burden people with the cost to treat and fight the disease. If elected, I would propose universal coverage that would incorporate all needed treatments, as well fight for better security to leave work and spend needed time with family during that time. I believe healthcare needs to truly be universal and one of the richest countries on earth has no excuses.

I hope this helps illustrate where I stand.

Solidarity,
Aidan Blum
Green Party candidate | Banff–Airdrie

Question 1 response:

Our health care systems across the country are extremely stressed and facing staffing shortages at the moment, and it is true, resources have been concentrated towards safeguarding and treating Canadians affected by Covid-19 at the expense of other health needs. However, making a concerted effort towards fighting a pandemic would not have been so disruptive to the current health care systems if previous federal governments had designed the federal health transfers to be based on health needs rather than

GDP growth. Fighting the pandemic would not have been so disruptive if previous federal governments decreased poverty levels through a Guaranteed Livable Income and a more effective National Housing Strategy. Fighting the pandemic would not have been so disruptive if previous federal governments introduced Pharmacare and limited patent protection periods so that medicine could be more accessible and affordable. When social issues in society are addressed, patient rates in hospitals decrease and health care systems can more effectively administer allocated resources and make preparations for future crises and pandemics.

If elected, I commit to campaigning in Parliament for each of the following:

- Transfer payments to the provinces to be used to deal with the backlog of tests, procedures, and surgeries.

- The continuation of essential cancer care in planning for future crises and pandemics.

- Cancer patients’ need for dependable access to medical care to be taken into account in by Public Health Agency of Canada and its plans and recommendations for future pandemics.

Question 2 response:

The GPC has a very progressive vision when it comes to income supports, and instead of expanding existing supports, the GPC proposes to replace them with a Guaranteed Livable Income that together with a federal minimum wage of $15, a ceiling on credit card interest, and safe and affordable housing, will provide the income security Canadians need. As well, the GPC wants to eliminate financial constraints by making post-secondary education free, and the GPC intends to support retirees by increasing the CPP rate to 50 per cent of income received during working years.

If elected, I commit to campaigning in Parliament for:

• A new process that acknowledges that some patients, including cancer patients, experience extended periods of treatment and recovery, and to hold open consultations with Canadians about how this process will be developed and implemented.

Question 3 response:

I am unable to respond at this time.

Sincerely,
Sheldon J Perris
(he/him)

Thank you for your message on this incredibly important topic. I am utterly confounded at the way EI and disability benefits ignore long term illness.

We have seriously failed Canadian survivors.

If elected, I will push for legislation that will:

- Prioritize healthcare research and innovation

- Support medical staff

- Install holistic initiatives and commit to patient- rather than disease-centred care

- Create a federal emergency response plan that does not include stopping necessary surgeries and procedures

- Remove restrictions on web-based mental health support and fund web based mental health programs

- Create a seamless process that assists Canadians with long term illnesses in switching from EI to longer term disability benefits such as CPP disability and provincial disability benefits

- Implement universal pharmacare

- Invest in healthcare technologies that increase access to treatment, such as new breast cancer screening technologies that can detect even the smallest lumps without pain or exposure to radiation

- Support least invasive, most supportive technologies, such as pill endoscopy, that increase access to treatment and decrease fear-based avoidance

Thank you again for your insightful message. As a cancer survivor myself, and someone who has lost a number of family members to the disease,  I truly understand the challenges we face.

I greatly appreciate the thoughtfulness and research that have gone into these recommendations from the CCSN. As you may know, my fiancée is an operating room nurse, and I have seen and heard firsthand the particularly difficult impacts of the pandemic on those in chronic care, such as cancer patients.

Your questions have educated me, and on all three issues – ensuring continuity of care, bolstering EI sick leave, and improving breast cancer screening – the CCSN’s recommendations seem eminently reasonable. If elected, I would be proud to champion these issues on behalf of cancer patients and survivors.

Best,
Phil

Question 1 response: Cancer Can’t Wait: COVID-19 disruption of cancer care in Canada

If elected, will your government:

1. Provide transfer payments to the provinces to be used to deal with the backlog of tests, procedures, and surgeries? Yes.

Question 3 response: Breast Cancer Screening

1. Ensure that future guideline panels include content experts and patients? Yes
   

I’ve lost a friend to Cancer, and this is personal to me.

I will do everything in my power to support Cancer Patients as an ally in Ottawa.

Thank you so much,
Felix

Question 1 response:

In the past, as a Saskatchewan Green Party candidate, I have been dedicated to expanding the services offered under medicare and to increasing funding for better access. As your Green Party of Canada candidate today, I will continue to advocate for more funding for medicare including transfer payments and for more consistent care and prioritization for people with cancer.

Question 2 response:

I have already called for E.I. reforms to stop penalizing people with illnesses when they need to access benefits. I will continue to call for these reforms on your behalf!

Question 3 response:

I am committed to ensuring that the medical system does not discriminate by not being inclusive, and to ensuring that evidence based best practices are followed. If I am elected I will support a moratorium on the new guidelines and their revision or replacement.

Michael

In 2010, I was diagnosed with a tumour on my heart.

Months of chemo left me alive, but severely and permanently disabled.

To say I am sympathetic to your cause would be a gross understatement – I’ve lived through the challenges you describe and know the personal hardships that arise from the experience.

My party is unlikely to form a government, but if I am elected as an MP, you can be sure there will be one more voice in parliament to speak on behalf of survivors.

Many thanks for all you do,

Nicki

Cancer affects me personally and many Canadians.

As your Green MP, I am committed to making every effort to make the asks in questions 1-3 a reality.

I am eager to learn and hear more.

Kindest regards,
Ran Zhu
Wellington-Halton Hills Green Candidate

Thank you for taking the time to reach out regarding the urgent need to alleviate the medical, emotional, financial, and social costs of cancer.

New Democrats strongly agree that the federal government has an important role to play in supporting Canadians diagnosed with cancer and their families.

Canada’s public health care system won’t be able to recover from COVID-19 without federal leadership. It was already under stress from years of Liberal and Conservative underfunding before the pandemic hit. New Democrats believe the federal government must step up immediately as a full funding partner to address pandemic-related disruptions in cancer care, as well as the coming influx of new or late-stage cancer diagnoses.

Furthermore, New Democrats believe that cancer treatment should never impose a financial burden on patients and their families. We will work with the provinces and territories to implement universal public pharmacare as rapidly as possible – with a target launch date of 2022. We will ensure that every patient across Canada can access the take-home cancer drugs they need, regardless of their ability to pay. This has taken on increased urgency amid the disruptions to in-hospital treatment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

For many Canadians who need EI when they’re dealing with an illness, the current system falls far short and doesn’t provide the kind of help people actually need. To make sure that Canadians can count on EI when they’re dealing with a serious illness, a New Democrat government will extend sickness benefits from 15 to 50 weeks, and create a pilot project to allow workers with episodic illnesses and disabilities to access EI sickness benefits a day at a time, as they need them. This flexibility will help support those who want to continue to work while providing the seriously ill with the benefits they need.

Finally, New Democrats believe that Canadian health guidelines should be set independently by subject-matter experts, based on the best available evidence. We agree that this process should align with international best practices and methodology standards.

Again, thank you for your message.

Sincerely,
Canada’s New Democrats

Je suis conscient de la problématique des patients du cancer qui doivent composer avec des conditions souvent très difficiles afin de pouvoir se battre contre leur maladie ainsi que des survivants du cancer et de leurs familles. Le défi est colossal pour faire face à cette maladie mortelle ainsi que ses conséquences sur la santé psychologique, les besoins financiers, la prévention, parmi tant d’autres.

J’ai moi-même perdu plusieurs membres de ma famille à cause du cancer et je comprends l’impact physique et émotionnel.

J’envisage ce problème dans le cadre de ma campagne et, si je suis élu, j’appuierai tout Plan d’action national pour aider à améliorer les conditions de vie des Canadiens touchés par le cancer sur le plan des services de soins, des prestations et de prévention.

En cette occasion, je tiens à vous exprimer mon admiration pour tout les efforts que vous déployer.

Cordialement,

Ibrahim Bruno El-Khoury
NDP Candidate 2021
Mount Royal

Question 1 response: Cancer Can’t Wait: COVID-19 disruption of cancer care in Canada

I was surprised by how long people needed to wait for any treatment when I talked to my Canadian friends in 2002 (I am from Taiwan where people enjoy the world number 1 healthcare). The lack of resources in medical care has not changed much since. The cancelling or postponing of any operation during COVID shows us even more of the problems behind the system. Every patient’s need is important and must be taken into account.  When a crisis or a pandemic hits, an emergency response team needs to be organized right away to ensure all patients can have their care.  As for the payments, the federal and the provincial governments will need to discuss the details further in order to agree on the share of cost.

Question 2 response: Employment Insurance Sickness Benefits

The federal government will need to set further laws and regulations on this issue in order to make sure the corporations/employers, EI and the employees/private insurance can find a good balance for the benefits of the sick.

Question 3 response: Breast Cancer Screening

It is again about the lack of resources in medical domain. It should be one of the priorities of the new government.

Question 1 response:

Please note that as per the platform:

- A New Democrat government will work with the provinces and territories to tackle wait times and improve access to primary care across the country – and we’ll work with the provinces to develop public infrastructure for secure, accessible virtual healthcare. We will identify coming gaps in health human resources and make a plan to recruit and retain the doctors, nurses and other health professionals Canadians need. New Democrats will also work with the provinces and territories to expand and improve access to palliative care across the country

- We will work with universities and health professionals to make sure that public research on critical health issues continues to flourish. New Democrats will reverse the Liberals’ reckless move to weaken the Global Public Health Intelligence Network, which provides surveillance and early warnings that are critical for managing international public health emergencies like pandemics.

- Just as our party led the fight to establish universal public health care for all Canadians, we are leading the fight to expand Medicare – to include quality prescription drug coverage for everyone, regardless of your job, where you live, your age, your health status or how much money you make. We will begin working with the provinces right away to target a 2022 start date, with an annual federal investment of $10 billion

Question 2 response: Employment Insurance Sickness Benefits

Please note that our platform states, “For many Canadians who need EI when they’re dealing with an illness, the current system falls far short and doesn’t provide the kind of help people actually need. To make sure that Canadians can count on EI when they’re dealing with a serious illness, a New Democrat government will extend sickness benefits from 15 to 50 weeks, and create a pilot project to allow workers with episodic illnesses and disabilities to access EI sickness benefits a day at a time, as they need them. This flexibility will help support those who want to continue to work while providing the seriously ill with the benefits they need.

Question 3 response: Breast Cancer Screening

If elected as Member of Parliament for Ottawa-Vanier, I commit to liaising with experts to review the concerns raised with the guidelines, and to ensure that content experts and patients are consulted within the new Task Force.

Thank you for taking the time to reach out regarding the urgent need to alleviate the medical, emotional, financial, and social costs of cancer.

New Democrats strongly agree that the federal government has an important role to play in supporting Canadians diagnosed with cancer and their families. Canada’s public health care system won’t be able to recover from COVID-19 without federal
leadership. It was already under stress from years of Liberal and Conservative underfunding before the pandemic hit. New Democrats believe the federal government must step up immediately as a full funding partner to address pandemic-related disruptions in cancer
care, as well as the coming influx of new or late-stage cancer diagnoses.

Furthermore, New Democrats believe that cancer treatment should never impose a financial burden on patients and their families. We will work with the provinces and territories to implement universal public pharmacare as rapidly as possible – with a target launch date of 2022. We will ensure that every patient across Canada can access the take-home cancer drugs they need, regardless of their ability to pay. This has taken on increased urgency amid the disruptions to in-hospital treatment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

For many Canadians who need EI when they’re dealing with an illness, the current system falls far short and doesn’t provide the kind of help people actually need. To make sure that Canadians can count on EI when they’re dealing with a serious illness, a New Democrat government will extend sickness benefits from 15 to 50 weeks, and create a pilot project to allow workers with episodic illnesses and disabilities to access EI sickness benefits a day at a time, as they need them. This flexibility will help support those who want to continue to work while providing the seriously ill with the benefits they need.

Finally, New Democrats believe that Canadian health guidelines should be set independently by subject-matter experts, based on the best available evidence. We agree that this process should align with international best practices and methodology standards.

Thank you for contacting me concerning issues of importance to Canadians diagnosed with cancer.

Provinces need increases to the Canada Health Transfer as they work to improve hospital, home care and long-term care capacity. Increases to the Canada Health Transfer will directly affect what happens to hospital and long-term care bed capacity here in Ottawa Centre. Our plan will increase the transfers to 6% at a minimum.

Canada’s investment in research must also keep pace at internationally competitive levels, by retaining world-class scientists, and pushing innovation. Public health requires renewed focus across governments at all levels.

Canada’s Conservatives will increase EI sickness benefits to 52 weeks for those suffering from a serious illness. The current EI sickness benefit limit of 15 weeks is not enough for those undergoing treatment for serious illnesses like cancer. We will ensure that ill workers receive the support they need to recover.

A mandated review/reset for the Public Health Agency of Canada is in order following the COVID-19 pandemic. We need to learn from mistakes to improve infectious disease surveillance, timely response, and Canada’s pandemic preparedness.

I am proud of my work in healthcare in Canada, as the first female President & CEO of the Canadian Hospital Association, and the Executive Director of the Medical Research Council of Canada (now the Canadian Institutes of Health Research).  I began my career in healthcare at the Department of Epidemiology and Community Medicine at the University of Ottawa.

I hope this provides you and your members with some information on the Conservative Party’s plans which would help support patients, survivors and stakeholder groups.

Sincerely,
Carol Clemenhagen
Conservative Candidate, Ottawa Centre

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the cracks in our healthcare system and reminded us all of the need to strengthen it. Kenny Chiu and Canada’s Conservatives believe that the federal government should pay its fair share. Under the last Conservative government, federal transfers to the provinces grew at 6% per year.

In order to make up for this shortcoming, Conservatives will meet with the Premiers within the first 100 days of forming government to propose a new health agreement with the provinces and territories that boosts the annual growth rate of the Canada Health Transfer to at least 6%. This will inject nearly $60 billion into our healthcare system over the next ten years.

Furthermore, COVID has worsened our serious mental health and addictions; these are crises that our government needs to address. It’s time for real action – and a new approach.

Canada’s Conservatives will introduce the Canada Mental Health Action Plan that will:

- Propose to the provinces that they partner with us by dedicating a significant portion of the stable, predictable health funding to mental health to ensure that an additional million Canadians can receive mental health treatment every year;

- Encourage employers to add mental health coverage to their employee benefit plans by offering a tax credit for 25% of the cost of additional mental health coverage for the first three years;

- Create a pilot program to provide $150 million over three years in grants to non-profits and charities delivering mental health and wellness programming; and

Create a nationwide three-digit suicide prevention hotline.

Sincerely,

Campaign to re-elect Kenny Chiu

In reply to your 3 questions, I would briefly advise.

1. Cancer Can’t Wait: Covid-19 disruption of cancer care in Canada:

Canada’s Conservatives will meet with the Premiers within the first 100 days of forming government to propose a new health agreement with the provinces and territories that boosts the annual growth rate of the Canada Health Transfer to at least 6%. This will inject nearly $60 billion into our healthcare system over the next 10 years. Since health is a provincial jurisdiction, we can only enter into discussions with our provincial partners but the allocation of funds and resources rest with provinces. Canada’s Conservatives will also develop and implement a National Isotope Strategy to enhance our development of nuclear medicine.

2. Employment Insurance Sickness Benefits:

Canada’s Conservatives will increase EI sickness benefits from 26 weeks to 52 weeks for those suffering from serious illness like cancer.

3. Breast Cancer Screening:

Canada’s Conservatives would strengthen the Health Canada department to ensure it can rapidly review crucial innovations like new treatments and testing.

Thank you for your questions and your interest in the Conservative Party’s platform.

Regards,
Dan
Rick Perkins Communications and Policies Team

Nous vous remercions pour tous les efforts que votre organisme déploie dans la sensibilisation de la population et des différents paliers de gouvernements face à l’enjeu du cancer.

Le Bloc Québécois propose d’augmenter substantiellement les transferts canadiens en santé (TCS) sans condition jusqu’à couvrir 35 % des coûts des soins de santé, comme l’exigent unanimement le Québec et les provinces. Il s’agit là de notre principal cheval de bataille pour cette campagne. Grâce à ces investissements supplémentaires, le Québec et les provinces disposeront d’une marge de manœuvre supplémentaire pour investir dans les réseaux de la santé, diminuer les listes d’attentes pour les traitements contre le cancer, augmenter les ressources consacrées au dépistage préventif et faire la promotion de la prévention.

Le Bloc Québécois propose de faire passer de 15 (26) à 50 semaines la durée des prestations de maladie de l’assurance-emploi afin de permettre aux personnes atteintes du cancer de ne pas avoir à se soucier de payer les factures tandis que toutes leurs forces devraient se consacrer à leur guérison. La Chambre des Communes a adopté unanimement une motion du Bloc Québécois demandant au gouvernement de faire passer de 15 à 50 semaines les prestations de maladie et le Comité permanent des ressources humaines a recommandé à Emploi et Développement social Canada d’envisager la prolongation du nombre maximale de semaines de prestations pour le faire passer à 50 semaines.

Le Bloc Québécois est en faveur d’une réforme majeure du régime d’assurance-emploi qui irait dans le sens d’un régime véritablement universel et plus généreux pour les travailleurs. C’est pourquoi nous proposons :

- la mise en place d’une caisse véritablement autonome pour qu’Ottawa cesse d’y piger pour équilibrer ses comptes;

- que le gouvernement abolisse le délai de carence;

- que le gouvernement mette en place un système d’appel indépendant, simplifié et accessible;

- que le gouvernement aille de l’avant avec une augmentation du taux de prestation de 55 à un minimum de 60 % qui permettrait d’augmenter les revenus des prestataires;

- que le gouvernement rétablisse ses contributions à la caisse d’assurance-emploi;

- que le gouvernement étende à 104 semaine la période de référence pour les jeunes méres afin d’éviter qu’elles ne se retrouvent sans prestations si elles perdent leur emploi;

- que le gouvernement mette en place un critère unique d’admissibilité et hybride (heures et semaines) comme le suggèrent de nombreux groupes et

- que le gouvernement étende la couverture du régime d’assurance-emploi aux travailleurs autonomes.

Le Bloc Québécois est favorable à l’utilisation optimale de la science et des données probantes pour maintenir et améliorer la santé et le bien-être de tous les Québécois et les Québécoises, et ce, sans influence politique ou financière externe indue.

Le Bloc Québécois reconnaît l’importance de prévenir et de traiter le cancer du sein avec des interventions démontrées efficaces et sécuritaire. De plus, le Bloc Québécois est très sensible aux réalités et aux immenses défis vécus par les milliers de femmes qui reçoivent un diagnostic de cancer du sein chaque année. Par ailleurs, le Bloc Québécois considère que l’établissement de recommandation en matière de dépistage constitue un exercice difficile qui doit s’appuyer sur une expertise diversifiée appropriée et exempte de conflits d’intèrêts. Compte tenu que ces recommandations peuvent influencer la santé et le bien-être de groupes entiers de femmes asymptomatiques, dont la majorité ne sont pas atteintes d’un cancer, il est primordial de s’assurer que les bénéfices démontrés du dépistage surpassent les torts causés par cette intervention à l’échelle de toute la population.

Le Bloc Québécois considère que le Groupe d’étude canadien sur les soins de santé préventifs (GECSSP) est habileté à émettre des recommandations indépendantes en matière de dépistage. Il est constitué de membres ayant des expertises variées essentielles à l’établissement de recommandations sur le sujet, incluant des cliniciens. Il adopte une méthodologie systèmatique et rigoureuse similaire à celle adoptée par d’autres organisations reconnues sur la scène internationale. Ses recommandations en matière de dépistage sur le cancer du sein ont aussi reçu l’appui de plusieurs organisations crédibles, dont la Société canadienne du cancer.

Le Bloc Québécois reconnaît que toutes les institutions sont perfectibles. En ce sens, le Bloc Québécois s’engage à demander à ce que le GECSSP continue de s’assurer qu’il regroupe en tout temps des membres dont les expertises variées permettent d’obtenir une vision complète des enjeux entourant le dépistage. Il s’engage aussi à demander au GECSSP de continuer à améliorer l’intégration de la perspectives des personnes asymptomatiques invitées à un dépistage dans ses décisions, la visibilité de ses périodes de consultation et la transparence de ses processus décisionnels.

Par ailleurs, il est important de rappeler que la santé est une compétence provinciale. Les décisions en matière de dépistage des cancers relévent au final du gouvernement du Québec qui a l’entière légitimité d’appliquer ou non les recommandations du GECSSP.

Nous espérons que les réponses fournies vous permettront de mieux comprendre notre action politique. Vous trouverez plus de détails concernant nos politiques sur notre site web : http://www.blocquebecois.org/

Nous vous prions, Madame, d’agréer l’expression de nos sentiments distingués.

L’équipe électorale du Bloc Québécois 2021

Nous vous remercions pour tous les efforts que votre organisme déploie dans la sensibilisation de la population et des différents paliers de gouvernements face à l’enjeu du cancer.

Le Bloc Québécois propose d’augmenter substantiellement les transferts canadiens en santé (TCS) sans condition jusqu’à couvrir 35 % des coûts des soins de santé, comme l’exigent unanimement le Québec et les provinces. Il s’agit là de notre principal cheval de bataille pour cette campagne. Grâce à ces investissements supplémentaires, le Québec et les provinces disposeront d’une marge de manœuvre supplémentaire pour investir dans les réseaux de la santé, diminuer les listes d’attentes pour les traitements contre le cancer, augmenter les ressources consacrées au dépistage préventif et faire la promotion de la prévention.

Le Bloc Québécois propose de faire passer de 15 (26) à 50 semaines la durée des prestations de maladie de l’assurance-emploi afin de permettre aux personnes atteintes du cancer de ne pas avoir à se soucier de payer les factures tandis que toutes leurs forces devraient se consacrer à leur guérison. La Chambre des Communes a adopté unanimement une motion du Bloc Québécois demandant au gouvernement de faire passer de 15 à 50 semaines les prestations de maladie et le Comité permanent des ressources humaines a recommandé à Emploi et Développement social Canada d’envisager la prolongation du nombre maximale de semaines de prestations pour le faire passer à 50 semaines.

Le Bloc Québécois est en faveur d’une réforme majeure du régime d’assurance-emploi qui irait dans le sens d’un régime véritablement universel et plus généreux pour les travailleurs. C’est pourquoi nous proposons :

- la mise en place d’une caisse véritablement autonome pour qu’Ottawa cesse d’y piger pour équilibrer ses comptes;

- que le gouvernement abolisse le délai de carence;

- que le gouvernement mette en place un système d’appel indépendant, simplifié et accessible;

- que le gouvernement aille de l’avant avec une augmentation du taux de prestation de 55 à un minimum de 60 % qui permettrait d’augmenter les revenus des prestataires;

- que le gouvernement rétablisse ses contributions à la caisse d’assurance-emploi;

- que le gouvernement étende à 104 semaine la période de référence pour les jeunes méres afin d’éviter qu’elles ne se retrouvent sans prestations si elles perdent leur emploi;

- que le gouvernement mette en place un critère unique d’admissibilité et hybride (heures et semaines) comme le suggèrent de nombreux groupes et

- que le gouvernement étende la couverture du régime d’assurance-emploi aux travailleurs autonomes.

Le Bloc Québécois est favorable à l’utilisation optimale de la science et des données probantes pour maintenir et améliorer la santé et le bien-être de tous les Québécois et les Québécoises, et ce, sans influence politique ou financière externe indue.

Le Bloc Québécois reconnaît l’importance de prévenir et de traiter le cancer du sein avec des interventions démontrées efficaces et sécuritaire. De plus, le Bloc Québécois est très sensible aux réalités et aux immenses défis vécus par les milliers de femmes qui reçoivent un diagnostic de cancer du sein chaque année. Par ailleurs, le Bloc Québécois considère que l’établissement de recommandation en matière de dépistage constitue un exercice difficile qui doit s’appuyer sur une expertise diversifiée appropriée et exempte de conflits d’intèrêts. Compte tenu que ces recommandations peuvent influencer la santé et le bien-être de groupes entiers de femmes asymptomatiques, dont la majorité ne sont pas atteintes d’un cancer, il est primordial de s’assurer que les bénéfices démontrés du dépistage surpassent les torts causés par cette intervention à l’échelle de toute la population.

Le Bloc Québécois considère que le Groupe d’étude canadien sur les soins de santé préventifs (GECSSP) est habileté à émettre des recommandations indépendantes en matière de dépistage. Il est constitué de membres ayant des expertises variées essentielles à l’établissement de recommandations sur le sujet, incluant des cliniciens. Il adopte une méthodologie systèmatique et rigoureuse similaire à celle adoptée par d’autres organisations reconnues sur la scène internationale. Ses recommandations en matière de dépistage sur le cancer du sein ont aussi reçu l’appui de plusieurs organisations crédibles, dont la Société canadienne du cancer.

Le Bloc Québécois reconnaît que toutes les institutions sont perfectibles. En ce sens, le Bloc Québécois s’engage à demander à ce que le GECSSP continue de s’assurer qu’il regroupe en tout temps des membres dont les expertises variées permettent d’obtenir une vision complète des enjeux entourant le dépistage. Il s’engage aussi à demander au GECSSP de continuer à améliorer l’intégration de la perspectives des personnes asymptomatiques invitées à un dépistage dans ses décisions, la visibilité de ses périodes de consultation et la transparence de ses processus décisionnels.

Par ailleurs, il est important de rappeler que la santé est une compétence provinciale. Les décisions en matière de dépistage des cancers relévent au final du gouvernement du Québec qui a l’entière légitimité d’appliquer ou non les recommandations du GECSSP.

Nous espérons que les réponses fournies vous permettront de mieux comprendre notre action politique. Vous trouverez plus de détails concernant nos politiques sur notre site web : http://www.blocquebecois.org/

Nous vous prions, Madame, d’agréer l’expression de nos sentiments distingués.