SURREY - A province-wide protest at community hospitals is being planned for next Thursday (March 31) to urge the federal government to strike a health care funding agreement with the provinces.
According to Rick Turner, co-chair of the BC Health Coalition, the problem surrounds the federal government decision to allow the Health Accord to expire in 2014.
"Without an accord, there is no agreement between Ottawa and the provinces to ensure equal access, proper funding, and high standards for health care in Canada."
Although the provinces are asking for a new accord, Turner said the federal government has so far refused to strike a new deal. In 2012, Canada's premiers and territorial leaders warned Ottawa will slash $36 billion in health care funding over the next decade should a new accord not be signed.
Locally, a rally will take place at Surrey Memorial Hospital starting at noon. The Now