AN IMPORTANT FORUM

If you are concerned & worried about what is happening to our essential " PUBLIC SERVICES" then you won't want to miss this opportunity!

When:
Wednesday, March 6, 2002   |   7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Where:
Best Western   |    700 Lakeshore Dr. North Bay

GUEST SPEAKERS

Health Care:
Natalie Mehra
Provincial Coordinator
Ontario Health Coalition

Electricity:
Paul Kahnert
Coordinator & CUPE member
Ontario Electricity Coalition

Water Quality:
Chris Peabody
a citizen from the Walkerton area & an OECTA member

Moderator:
Tony Martin
NDP MPP from Sault Ste Marie

Sponsored by:
North Bay & District Labour Council
Nipissing NDP Riding Association

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PRESS RELEASE: NIPISSING NDP RIDING ASSOCIATION

DATE: FEBRUARY 25, 2002

CONTACT: WENDY YOUNG, PRESIDENT @ 705-497-0826

SUBJECT: PUBLIC FORUM ON PRIVATIZATION, MARCH 6, 2002

The Nipissing NDP Riding Association and The North Bay and District Labour Council are co-sponsoring a free public forum called "Public Services or Private Profits" on Wednesday, March 6, 2002. The forum will be held at the Best Western Hotel, 700 Lakeshore Drive, North Bay from 7-9 p.m. Speakers include Natalie Mehra from the Ontario Health Coalition, Paul Kahnert from the Ontario Electricity Coalition, Chris Peabody, a Walkerton citizen and OECTA member and Tony Martin, NDP MPP for Sault Ste. Marie. Everyone interested in maintaining strong public services in the areas of Health care, Electricity and Water is welcome to attend.

Wendy Young, President of the Nipissing NDP Riding Association says that the local NDP and Labour Council have organized this united challenge to the current provincial government's practice of privatizing government services because they are strongly opposed to the policy decisions being made by the Conservatives for this province. She says that public services are the best way to provide Ontario citizens with high quality health care, affordable electricity and safe drinking water because their first priority is service, not profit, as it is with private corporations.

Public services can also provide the kind of jobs that everyone wants in their communities - secure, full-time jobs with fair wages and good benefits. For this reason she asks people to take time to really listen to what kind of societal vision the different political parties stand for and pay attention to what they do while in office. It is very clear that the Conservative party in Ontario has taken a stance against public services and public sector workers. From Ontario Hydro, health care, education, water testing, to Ontario Northland and correctional facilities, this government has systematically demonstrated its preference for handing over public services to the private market.

Hospital bed closures and long waiting lists for treatment, demoralized public sector workers, water problems in Walkerton, and the threat of higher electricity costs are all related to this philosophical preference. Conservative party plans to invite the private sector to build and operate hospitals, clinics and other medical services signal this same ideological hostility towards public services and favouring of corporate interests.

In contrast, Young says that the NDP has always supported people's rights to public services and public sector jobs. It was the CCF, the forerunner of the NDP, that first introduced Medicare to Canada. The NDP continues to support expanded public health care services, such as home care and pharmacare. It is the NDP in Ontario that has led the fight against the privatization of Ontario Hydro and has put forward a safe drinking water act.

She advocates that all citizens become more involved in the political process - because it is at the government tables that policy decisions are made. The NDP, as the social democratic party in Ontario and Canada, is committed to achieving social justice and equality in society, and measures all of its policies by these values. They believe that strong public services promote social unity and best meet people's needs.

To learn more about the dangers of privatization and the advantages of public services you are invited to attend the public forum on March 6. There will be time for audience comments and questions after the panel members speak.

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This page was updated in February 28, 2002