June 14, 1998
Canucks sick of cuts to medicareCash injection needed: Poll
Fiscally conscious Canadians think the federal government is shortchanging the health care system, a nation-wide survey has found.
An Ottawa Sun/Roper Canada poll reveals a high level of discontent with the quality of health care, and 81% of Canadians are demanding the Liberals set aside more money in next year's fiscal plan. Federal NDP Leader Alexa McDonough blasted the Liberals for "deliberately" causing the health care crisis then shrugging responsibility off to the provinces. "It just shows the arrogance and smugness of this government -- to cause this much havoc in the health care system then convince everyone to blame the provinces," she said. The federal government has chopped $2.5 billion from the Canadian Health and Social Transfer, which helps provinces fund health care, post-secondary education and social assistance programs. Derek Kent, spokesman for Health Minister Allan Rock, said the minister has consistently acknowledged the anxiety and concern many Canadians feel about the quality of health care. "He has also stated that there is no greater social policy challenge than to restore the confidence in the health care system," he said. MP Maurizio Bevilacqua, chairman of the Liberal finance committee, echoed the government's concern, but said it's too early to say if more dollars would be directed to the cause in next year's budget. The Ottawa Sun/Roper Canada poll shows that while Canadians yearn for boosts to social spending in selected programs like health care, they also want to use next year's projected surplus to fund tax breaks and tackle the national debt. The poll revealed Canadians would opt to split a $3-billion surplus almost evenly in the three areas. Walter Robinson, executive director of the Canadian Taxpayers' Federation, is thrilled Canadians are looking at the "big picture" and not resting on the laurels of eliminating the federal deficit. "A surplus is really just a level of overtaxation," said Robinson. "And there's a tendency once you tackle the deficit to forget about the big debt." In the 1997-1998 fiscal year, Canadians paid a whopping $41.5 billion in interest to service the national debt, he said. The Ottawa Sun/Roper Canada poll surveyed 1,202 Canadians from coast to coast between April 6, 1998 and May 4, 1998. It gauged the mood of Canadian consumers, the popularity of the prime minister and measured fiscal priorities across the nation.
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