CUPE National President Paul Moist stood united with Jack Layton as the NDP leader pledged his commitment to home care and long-term care for seniors during an Ottawa stop on the campaign trail.
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“Canadians want a federal government to be accountable and to put people first with long-term care for seniors,” said Layton. “The NDP will look after seniors and help restore their dignity.”
Layton and Moist, joined by a contingent of the Raging Grannies, were at the Good Companions Seniors’ Centre giving support to seniors in their struggle for a non-profit, public long-term care system.
The NDP and CUPE have asking for sustained funding in continuing care to allow seniors to live in comfort and stability during their retirement years.
“CUPE is aligned with the NDP,” Moist said. “Our best interests are represented by the party, so we need to vote for our beliefs. There is no value in strategic voting.”
CUPE has called consistently for a public and non-profit approach to long-term and home care. Privatized, for-profit care comes at the expense of workers and patients. Wages are lower, working conditions are poor, staff turnover is high and that means care is sacrificed for profit and shareholder gain under the private model.
Studies have shown that public, non-profit delivery of continuing care ensures a high level of care, adequate staffing levels and lower turnover.
The federal government must bring continuing care under the Canada Health Act so that seniors and people with disabilities get the respect and services they deserve.
For more information, see our Election Health Care fact sheet at http://www.cupe.ca/updir/healthfselection2006.pdf