Privatization in the provinces

British Columbia

In July 2007, the B.C. government wrapped up its “Conversation on Health,” which claimed to be an exhaustive examination of the province’s health care system. Launched in early February, the $10 million Conversation visited 16 communities in B.C. to discuss citizens’ perspectives on public health care.

From the outset, many British Columbians were suspicious that the “conversations” were a part of a public relations campaign to bolster the provincial government’s privatization agenda and legitimize politicians’ claims that public health care spending is “unsustainable.” For example, the “consultation” website sports a gimmicky doomsday clock to show visitors how costly health care is to the public purse. But when the numbers on the clock are placed in context, they show that public, non-profit health care is actually quite affordable.

Thanks to dedicated Council of Canadians chapter members, the Campbell government heard the message loud and clear that profit is not the cure for British Columbia’s health care system. When the B.C. government released the results of the Conversation on Health, Health Minister George Abbott confirmed that B.C. residents overwhelmingly supported publicly funded and publicly delivered health care. In 14 communities across the province, chapter activists joined with members of the B.C. Health Coalition to speak against for-profit health care, and spread the message that citizens deserve a say in the future of our health care system.

Resources:

• Fact sheet: Conversation starter: Pressures on the health care system
• Fact sheet: Conversation starter: Health Care Delivery
• Fact sheet: Conversation starter: The Canada Health Act