from RNAO
PLEASE DISTRIBUTE URGENTLY AND WIDELY - we would greatly appreciate you
circulating this to any and all of your contacts.
Toronto, 24 November 2002
Dear friends of Medicare,
The Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO) is urging the
friends of the Canadian Medicare system, both in Canada and elsewhere,
to mobilize in every way possible to support the final report of the
Romanow Royal Commission, which is due on Thursday, November 28. It is
almost certain that Commissioner Romanow is going to make
recommendations that will enhance and strengthen this most cherished
Canadian public programme. In particular, we expect that he will not
lend his hand to further privatize Canada's health care system. This
position irks those advocating privatization and for-profit health care,
who are likely to launch an assault on the commission's report
immediately upon its release. So, immediate, broad and diverse
mobilization is urgently required, to bring out the public's voice. This
includes writing letters-to-the-editor and op-ed pieces for Canadian
newspapers, as well as phoning call-in television and radio programs.
The critical dates for influencing the media in all its forms are
immediately after the release, on November 28, 29, and 30. Please don't
focus only on the national media (see below), but also write to your
local newspaper and call your local radio.
It is important to note that some of the media might build a parallel
between the Romanow and the Kirby reports, trying to promote the latter
one. Despite Senator Kirby's efforts to obscure it, he is clearly in
favour of private-public partnerships (P3) and for-profit delivery of
health services. RNAO is extremely hopeful that Roy Romanow will come up
strongly against P3s, and against for-profit insurance and delivery of
health services. Commissioner Romanow is on record stating that there is
absolutely no evidence of benefits from these, and substantial evidence
that they cost more. Furthermore, evidence shows that for-profit
services shorten waiting times only for those who can afford to pay,
while lengthening waiting times for the majority.
RNAO will be present with many other Canadian organizations in
responding to the release of the Romanow report, both in Ottawa and in
Toronto. You will be able to access Romanow's report from the
Commission's website (www.healthcarecommission.ca
<http://www.healthcarecommission.ca>). You can already get a clear
picture of Romanow's positions by reading a recent speech he gave
(follow the links to his 20 November speech). You will be able to access
RNAO's first cut analysis and press release as soon as possible on the
28th, in our website (<www.rnao.org>). Meanwhile, you can find RNAO's
analysis of Senator's Kirby's Final Report which should help you to
catch the key differences. You can also find on our website, RNAO's
Speak Out Ontario province-wide campaign advocating a publicly funded
and not-for-profit delivered health care system. As do most Canadians,
RNAO believes that it is on the basis of these key principles that we
must get on with the real job of building the second generation of
Medicare for all Canadians. Check also the Canadian Health Coalition's
website, which includes materials and links to other organizations
(www.healthcoalition.ca <http://www.healthcoalition.ca>).
Thanks for your support!
Adeline Falk-Rafael RN, PhD and Doris Grinspun RN, MSN, PhD (cand)
President and Executive Director
Registered Nurses Association of Ontario
Key print media outlets:
National Post
email: [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
www.nationalpost.com <http://www.nationalpost.com>
Fax: (416) 442-2209
Globe and Mail
email: [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
www.theglobeandmail.com <http://www.theglobeandmail.com>
Fax: 416 585-5085
Toronto Star
email: [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
www.thestar.com <http://www.thestar.com>
Fax: 416 869-4322
Calgary Herald
www.canada.com/calgary/ <http://www.canada.com/calgary/>
email: [log in to unmask]
<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
fax: (403) 235-7379
Edmonton Journal
www.canada.com/edmonton/ <http://www.canada.com/edmonton/>
email: [log in to unmask]
<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
fax: 780-498-5677
Montreal Gazette
email: [log in to unmask]
<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
fax: 514-987-2639
Ottawa Citizen
www.canada.com/ottawa/ottawacitizen/
<http://www.canada.com/ottawa/ottawacitizen/>
email: [log in to unmask]
<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
fax: 613-726-1198
Vancouver Sun
www.canada.com/vancouver/ <http://www.canada.com/vancouver/>
email: [log in to unmask]
<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
fax: 604-605-2720
St. John's Telegraph Journal
Opinion Page Editor, Ron Barry, 506-645-3247
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Fax: 506-633-6758
Halifax Chronicle-Herald
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Fax: 902-426-1158
Halifax Daily News
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Fax: 902-468-2645
The Fredericton Daily Gleaner
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Fax: 506-452-7405
The Moncton Times & Transcript
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Fax: 506-859-4904
The Charlottetown Guardian
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Fax: 902-566-3808
Best to use both fax and e-mail for these outlets.
Leda Grovestine
Admin./Research Assistant
Policy & Research Department
Registered Nurses Association of Ontario
(416) 599-1925 or 1 (800) 268-7199 ext. 214
Fax: (416) 599-1926
www.rnao.org
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