Healthcare:
Building Better Healthcare
Since 2015, Gord had worked relentlessly to build healthy, thriving communities in Courtenay-Alberni. Here are some highlights of what Gord has achieved as part of the NDP team:
Fought for head-to-toe health care. The NDP fought for, and won, the greatest enhancements to our public healthcare system in more than sixty years, including:
- The creation of the Canadian Dental Care Plan which helps make the cost of dental care more affordable for seniors, children under 18, and Canadians living with disabilities.
- The passage of the Pharmacare Act, that brought Canada one step closer to universal public drug plan with immediate coverage for insulin and other diabetes medications and contraceptives.
- Increased transfers to provinces and territories for mental health, primary care, and long-term care, and hired more healthcare professionals.
Breaking down barriers to mental health care. When Gord was NDP’s Critic for Mental Health and Substance Use Health, he has pushed to make mental health a federal priority. His advocacy has led to increased investment and attention to the mental health needs of Canadians. Which included:
- The launch of the Youth Mental Health Fund which will provide $500 billion to help younger Canadians access mental health support in their communities.
- The creation of the Emergency Treatment Fund which will provide $150 million in funding for municipalities and Indigenous communities to respond to the toxic drug crisis.
- The campaign for Bill C-216, the health-Based Approach to Substance Use Act, generated a national conversation about the need for a compassionate approach to the toxic drug crisis.
- Gord’s last Private Member’s Bill C-414 drew attention to the disparity between mental and physical health in Canada’s universal public healthcare system. It is the first bill to propose extending coverage to community-based mental health, addictions, and substance use care.
Gord’s job is not done. He continues to work hard to get those in Courtenay-Alberni the healthcare they deserve.
For more information on Gord’s record, visit openparliament.ca, an independent website that helps you “Keep tabs on Parliament”.