PSAC members joined other health care unions, academics, and activists at the Canadian Health Coalition conference, held in Ottawa, which focused on the current risks to health care in the country, especially in light of the upcoming federal election.  

PSAC National President Sharon DeSousa and Regional Executive Vice-President for the North Josée-Anne Spirito reminded workers in attendance about the importance of defending and expanding our public health care system.  

“Politicians across the country are eroding our public healthcare system, – selling a lie that a market-driven healthcare system is the solution to a problem that they caused”, Sharon shared during her speech. “Let’s unite against privatization and profit-driven healthcare. We need a system that puts people before profit, care before cost, and communities before corporations.” 

“It’s incredibly demoralizing when temporary workers are brought to the North, paid more, provided housing and given per diems, but when we go to the bargaining table, the employer tells us there isn’t enough money for the workers who live and work in the North,” Josée-Anne said, herself a nurse for over 15 years. “The system is so broken, it’s scary. We care deeply about our patients and our work, so watching the erosion of health carein this country has been heartbreaking. But we are fighting back, not just through our lobbying, but also at the bargaining table.” 

Every person in Canada has the right to receive the care they need, when they need it, without having to pay out of pocket. PSAC, along with health care allies, will continue to push back against privatization, demand better working conditions, and hold politicians accountable. The fight for a just, accessible, and fully-funded health care system isn’t just about policy—it’s about people.