SACPA Session — Red Alert: Our Public Medicare is at Risk!

This event is from the archives of The Notice Board. The event has already taken place and the information contained in this post may no longer be relevant or accurate.

The Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA) presents a session discussing public health care and whether privatization is the end goal of the provincial government.

Red Alert: Our Public Medicare is at Risk!

Date/time: Thursday, September 22, 2022. Presentation begins at 12 p.m. & concludes at 1 p.m. 

Cost: Free, but donations are gratefully accepted

Location: Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization (LSCO) Dining Room, 500-11 Street S, Lethbridge, AB 

A coordinated effort of reactionary columnists, conservative politicians, right-wing think tanks and others are lining up to push the narrative that our public health care is “broken”; they predictably go on to conclude that the only solution is to privatize it. But the truth is our system isn’t broken, it’s being intentionally dismantled for the benefit of private profits.

There is no doubt that our public health-care system is struggling under a series of crises: the ongoing pandemic, a deadly drug poisoning crisis, chronic short staffing and burnout, bed and unit closures, chronic EMS red alerts, the impacts of years of austerity and cuts, and so much more. But rather than respond to this urgent situation with urgent action, our provincial government is using this to justify an aggressive spree of privatization — with recent announcements privatizing surgeries, community labs, ophthalmology, seniors care, home care, food services, and even a scheme to send Alberta surgeons along with their patients to private for-profit facilities out of province. 

Their agenda of privatization is clear. It is full steam ahead. And unless Albertans stand up and fight right now, we risk losing our treasured public health-care system altogether.

Speaker: Chris Gallaway, Executive Director Friends of Medicare

Chris Gallaway (he/him) is an experienced community organizer and advocate for public health care. Born and raised on a farm in rural Saskatchewan, he has since spent most of his adult life living on Treaty 6 territory, first in Saskatoon, and for the last decade in Edmonton. His experience includes working for the Alberta Federation of Labour, in three provincial legislative assemblies, and for a variety of non-profit and community organizations. Outside of work, Chris is an active volunteer and community member engaged in social justice and the arts.

Lunch & Refreshments: The Atrium Dining Room will be available by 11:15 a.m. Please arrive early before the start of the Presentation to patronize the LSCO cafeteria and enjoy their excellent variety of good value food options. 

https://lethseniors.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/August_Menu_2022-scaled.jpg

https://lethseniors.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/September_Menu_2022.pdf

For further information, please visit the SACPA website.

Room or Area: 
LSCO, 500 - 11 St S

Contact:

Trevor Kenney | trevor.kenney@uleth.ca | sacpa.ca