Needs No Introduction: The future of Canadian health care

The 2014 Health Accord will set out the national plan for our health care system and play a key role in determining the direction for health care in Canada. The Federal government has already revealed plans to cut federal health transfers.  On January 16-17, 2012 Premier Christy Clark hosted premiers from across the country to discuss health care and fiscal arrangements with the federal government related to the 2014 Health Accord. The Council of Canadians and the BC Health Coalition joined together to hold this townhall meeting. Following are the opening remarks by three researchers and advocates for health care, who say now is the time for Canadians to speak out to protect our public health care system. Rachel Tutte, the co-chair of the BC Health Coalition, introduced the series of three lectures:  Mike Luff, NUPGE Director of Communications, dispells the notion that health care is not affordable or sustainable - "a triumph of economics", and outlines the principles for building a new accord.  Diana Gibson, Parkland Institute researcher, takes on the Conservative discourse that demonizes taxes, government, and public services. She "channels" US conservative lobbyist Grover Norquist whose goals was "get government small enough to drown it in a bathtub" - and whose methods appear to be closely followed by the Harper government.  Maude Barlow, chairperson of the Council of Canadians, reminds listeners of the times before public health care, pointing out that there has been no greater threat to public services than what we are in now. Quoting her favorite Occupy sigh, "If you won't let me dream, I won't let you sleep", she calls on Canadians to speak out for public health care, and what makes Canada... Canadian.