Keynote Speaker Trish Hennessy at AOHC's June 4 AGM
 Ontario's 2013 Budget was tabled May 2nd with a continued austerity theme - controlled public spending, with no significant increases on the revenue side of the ledger. Income testing, that would see high-income seniors pay a greater share of their drug costs, is also being introduced next year.
At the AOHC AGM you will hear an alternative view of what Ontario could be doing to protect and expand public services, and raise revenue to reduce poverty and income inequality. You will have an opportunity to vote on an AOHC resolution opposing income testing and user fees.
Trish Hennessy, Director of the Ontario Office of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, will be giving the keynote address called "Beyond Austerity: The Case For Improving Public Services in Ontario."
Trish Hennessy is a former journalist who, as director of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives' income inequality project, specializes in the growing gap between the rich and the rest of us. Trish has a B.A. in Sociology from Queen's University, a B.S.W. from Carleton, and a Master's degree in Sociology from OISE/University of Toronto.
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Ontario Budget 2013
The budget contains good news for home and community health services with funding to rise by an average of over 5% annually over the next 3 years. For 2013/14 this means a funding increase of $260 million.
On poverty issues, there is a small step towards the Social Assistance Review recommendations. Rates will increase by 1%, and single Ontario Works adults will receive an additional top up of $14 per month. This falls short of the recommended $100/month increase, but recognizes the extreme inadequacy of OW singles rates. Rule changes will allow people with employment earnings to keep the first $200 earned, and increase asset limits for those on OW.
Add your voice
The Liberals require NDP support to pass this budget--- NDP Leader Andrea Horwath is asking for public input before deciding.
Do you think the NDP should support this budget? Or do you think they should vote against it and trigger an election? Go to http://yoursayontario.ca/ , call 1-877-341-0244, or email Andrea Horwath at ahorwath-qp@ndp.on.ca, to provide your views.
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Deb Matthews keynote speaker at Working Better Together conference
Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-term Care will deliver the keynote address: "Why people in the health care system need to do a much better job collaborating with each other and partnering with other sectors" on Wednesday, June 5th at the Working Better Together conference.
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Sign the petition to Health Canada: Do not open paid donor clinics
Canadian Doctors for Medicare is concerned about the federal government plan to secretly approve two for-profit blood plasma clinics in Ontario that would pay donors for their blood. It's not clear how paid-donor blood clinics will impact our voluntary blood system, or why we should allow a company to get blood plasma from Canadians and sell it to the highest bidder.
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 National day of action against refugee health cuts
On June 17th, health care workers are invited to events in Toronto, Kitchener, Hamilton, and Ottawa to protest cuts to refugee health coverage and tell the Federal Government that Canadians will stand up for the most vulnerable among us.
Toronto event: CIC office, 25 St Clair Avenue East, June 17th at noon
Check for other events |
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RNAO Primary Care Nursing Institute - July 7-12 - Toronto
 Using the groundbreaking report, Primary Solutions for Primary Care, as a guide, RNAO is set to deliver the Primary Care Institute. This offering is specific to Primary Care Registered Nurses (RNs).
The program features expert clinical faculty and prominent figures in primary care.
Register now |
Presenter Opportunities - HC Link's 2013 Conference - Linking for Healthy Communities
HC Link is currently seeking individuals to share their knowledge and experience at our 2013 provincial conference being held in Toronto on November 12 & 13.
Possibilité de communication - Conférence 2013 de Réseau CS - Se rassembler pour des communautés en santé
Réseau CS est à la recherche de personnes qui aimeraient faire part de leurs connaissances et expériences à l'occasion de sa conférence provinciale des 12 et 13 novembre à Toronto. Nous invitons les conférenciers intéressés ou les personnes pouvant nous suggérer un conférencier travaillant dans le domaine des communautés en santé à communiquer avec nous.
More information / plus d'informations |
