The federal New Democrats’ request for a emergency debate delivered privately Health care was defeated in House of Commons this afternoon.
Speaker Anthony Rota rejected NDP’s request, saying he was not satisfied that it met the requirements of an emergency debate.
The procedure of the House of Commons says that such debate should be based on a genuine emergency which is of concern to the whole country.
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NDP leader Jagmeet Singh says he wants to use public money to fund procedures at private clinics in provinces like Ontario, saying he believes health care workers are being drawn away from public facilities. Could
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says his Liberal government will continue to defend the Canada Health Act and may withhold funding from provinces that violate it.
Trudeau and Singh are meeting on Monday afternoon to discuss health care ahead of next week’s summit with the premier.
Trudeau is expected to meet with provincial and territorial leaders next Tuesday in Ottawa to discuss a new health care funding deal.
The Progressive Conservative government of Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced earlier this month that it was moving some procedures to publicly funded, private facilities to address growing surgery waiting lists that have been affected by COVID-19. had worsened during the pandemic.
Provinces such as Alberta and Saskatchewan have already taken similar steps.
“We think the federal government should make it very clear that the solution to the current health care crisis will not come from privatization, for the benefit distribution of care. It will only come from making sure that we employ health care, recruit , maintain and respect that,” Singh said.
“Health care is already dramatically reduced, and for-profit facilities will hunt down doctors and nurses _ cannibalize hospitals, force people to wait longer in pain and suffer anxiety.”
The New Democrats say they are also concerned that private facilities will turn patients away for brands and services not covered by the province, and tack on additional fees and services.
Singh spent part of Parliament’s winter recess organizing a roundtable on health care in British Columbia to discuss emergency room overcrowding and staffing.
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