Dear Editor,
On October 28 the Grey Bruce Labour Council culminated their Activist Day by presenting awards. The Grey Bruce Health Coalition is honoured to have our work recognized.
Brenda Scott, of Chesley and co-chair of the Grey Bruce Health Coalition, was named activist of the year for her work in healthcare, primarily in trying to keep South Bruce Grey Health Centre’s Chesley site and other small, rural hospitals open. Brenda is Chair of the Ontario Health Coalition’s Small and Rural Hospital Committee. Brenda commented that, “To receive this award in a room filled with activists is an honour.”
Norah Beatty of Meaford, and co-chair of the Grey Bruce Health Coalition, accepted the award for Community Activist of the year given to the Grey Bruce Health Coalition. It is notable that the Community Activist of the year award is not presented every year. Norah notes that, “It is a significant honour that the coalition received this award and it would not have been possible without the involvement and commitment of many members and citizens. It is their award and we thank all of you for your volunteerism and support as together we implemented the many local and Ontario Health Coalition initiatives, over the last two and a half years.”
The Grey Bruce Health Coalition organized the Referendum vote in 2022 which garnered 10,000 No votes to privatization of our health system. Many Grey and Bruce citizens took buses to the two demonstrations at Queen’s Park and distributed thousands of leaflets and hundreds of lawn signs across the two counties, during two campaigns. Brenda and I look forward to working with members in Grey and Bruce communities and continuing our mission to save public healthcare and to uphold the principles of the Canada Health Act.
In rural communities, equal access for all is being seriously challenged as services like ERs are temporarily or permanently closed, birthing units are closed and most recently cancer treatment availability in Owen Sound is being cut. This is forcing patients to travel further and spend more after an extremely stressful diagnosis.
Following the presentation of awards a representative of the Ontario Health Coalition, Deb Tveit, spoke. She remarked that, “Canadians have not had to ‘bargain’ for healthcare for a long time…In the United States bargaining for what surgeries will be covered is a given. This should be a real concern, as Ontario’s government pushes for more privatization. We need our public healthcare system.”
I would emphasize that we need equity in rural healthcare.
Sincerely,
Norah Beatty
Co-chair, Grey Bruce Health Coalition
