Seniors, nurses, health care workers unite behind Selinger to defend health care

McFadyen’s cuts and privatization too big a risk

Hugh McFadyen’s cuts and privatization agenda would hurt health care first, which is why health care is a defining issue in this election campaign.

“As I talk to Manitobans this campaign, one message is coming through loud and clear: we can’t let the PCs get their hands on our health care,” Premier Greg Selinger told a large crowd concerned about the future of health care in Manitoba. “Mr McFadyen will do what Mr McFadyen has always done. Cuts and privatization are in his political DNA.”

Seniors are becoming especially concerned about the threat the PCs pose to health care. “The last time the PCs were in charge they fired nurses, drove away doctors, charged fees for home care, and even tried to privatize home care. We can’t go back to those days,” said Louise Plamondon. “I have had some health concerns in the last few years, and I can tell you, Manitoba’s health care system is wonderful. I don’t want that put at risk.”

Premier Selinger told the crowd that Manitobans want a Premier who will protect health care in good times and bad. Hugh McFadyen saw the global economic downturn as an opportunity to cut health care funding. He led his entire PC caucus as they voted unanimously to cut nearly half a billion dollars from health and other services.

“Mr McFadyen has been trying to get Manitobans to ignore his record. But his record is clear,” Selinger said. “For years he never said a thing about hiring more nurses. Then on the eve of the election he said he’s changed his mind. But his true intensions were quickly revealed because he only budgeted to pay for half of the nurses he says he wants to hire.”

While Hugh McFadyen was telling the public he wants to hire more nurses, he was telling a business lobby group, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, he is open to rolling back pensions for new nurses. He hasn’t changed a bit.