Category Archives: Uncategorized

Canada’s current patchwork of thousands of private and public prescription plans is not sustainable

“Universal, single-payer public pharmacare will result in better value for money and substantial savings for governments, businesses, and individual Canadians.”                                                   – from the Advisory Council’s Report

Canada’s Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor

“Canadians face some of the highest prescription drug prices in the world. This influences Canadians’ access to important medications and the sustainability of Canada’s health care system. … Over the coming months, we will carefully review the Council’s final report and its recommendations. … Our Government remains committed to implementing national pharmacare in a manner that is affordable for Canadians and their families, employers, and governments.”                                     – Canada’s Health Minister, Ginette Petitpas Taylor

Canadian Union of Public Employees leader Mark Hancock

” The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) welcomes the National Pharmacare Advisory Council’s recommendation of a universal, single-payer pharmacare program for Canada, and is urging the federal government to immediately put it into action. … Nearly one quarter of households in Canada include someone who is not taking their medication as prescribed because of cost, and one in 10 Canadians can’t afford their medication at all.”                 – CUPE National President Mark Hancock 

A News Release from Health Canada

Posted June 12th, 2019 on Niagara At Large

OTTAWA, Ontario – The Advisory Council on the Implementation of National Pharmacare (the Council) is recommending that Canada implement universal, single-payer, public pharmacare.

The Council recommends the federal government work in partnership with provincial and territorial governments to establish a universal, single-payer public system of prescription drug coverage in Canada to ensure everyone has access to the drugs they need to maintain their physical and mental health. Continue reading →

A short video, produced by the Canadian-based media group, FiXT POiNT, will be featured as a final segment on TVO’s cable program ‘The Agenda’ at 8:50 p.m. this Wednesday, June 12th

A Brief One from Doug Draper

Posted June 12^th, 2019 on Niagara At Large

The cable television network, TVO, will feature a brief segment that remembers the old St. Catharines Standard, when it was owned by a local family, the Burgoynes, this Wednesday, June 12th (today) at 8:50 p.m., featuring a cast of people from the old paper and surrounding community, including yours truly.

In a brief promotional write-up on the segment, TVO said this –

“The St. Catharines Standard was at the forefront of breaking news during the golden age of newspapers. Run by four generations of the Burgoyne family, The Standard’s intrepid reporters delivered hard-hitting journalism and exposed environmental injustices. But times changed, and media consolidation hit the paper hard.”

Indeed, times changed and the hit was very hard. Stats say that a majority of people – especially young people – are getting most or all of their information on Facebook and Twitter now. Is that better?!

To watch the segement here, click on the screen below –

To read Niagara At Large journalist Doug Draper’s earlier post on final days and the fall for him and many others who worked at the St. Catharines Standard before the Burgoyne family sold it, and for a few more nightmare years after the sale, click on – https://niagaraatlarge.com/2019/06/11/tvo-takes-a-look-back-at-a-once-independent-locally-owned-st-catharines-standard/ .

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“A politician thinks of the next election. A leader thinks of the next generation.” – Bernie Sanders

The Ride for Roswell, which has 11 routes and covers 14 municipalities and two countries, raises funds to support cancer research at the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer

News from Ontario’s Niagara Parks Commission

Posted June 10, 2019 on Niagara At Large

Niagara Falls, Ontario – Niagara Parks is pleased to welcome the Ride for Roswell, a binational cycling event in support of the Roswell Park Cancer Center, on Saturday, June 22. 

The Ride for Roswell, which has 11 routes and covers 14 municipalities and two countries, raises funds to support cancer research at the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, New York.

The Niagara route brings approximately 1,000 cyclists across the Peace Bridge at Fort Erie; the cyclists then continue north along the Niagara Parkway to cross back into the U.S. via the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Continue reading →

Statement by Canada’s Prime Minister on the               75th anniversary of D-Day and  Battle of Normandy

Posted  June 6^th, 2019 on Niagara At Large

Canada’s  Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau issued the following statement , this June 6^th, 2019, on the 75th anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy:

The shores of Juno Beach in Normandy, France, 75 years after the D-Day assault that marked the beginning of the end of the Second World War

“Today (June 6th, 2019), on the 75th anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy, we pause to honour those who fought and gave their lives in a campaign that helped turn the tide of the Second World War.

“Seventy-five years ago today, the largest combined military operation in history began. The Allied landings aimed to secure five beaches along the coast of occupied France. Land mines, gun positions, barbed wire, concrete bunkers, anti-tank walls, and thousands of enemy troops guarded the shores.

Canadian soldiers preparing to land at Juno Beach on June 6th, 1944.

“It was a gamble like the world had never seen. The possibility of catastrophic casualties was high, but the Allies knew they needed to break through the Atlantic Wall to defeat the Nazis and end the war in Europe.

“Fourteen thousand Canadians stormed Juno Beach on June 6, 1944. They joined British, American, and French allies in the massive D-Day amphibious assault on the beaches of Normandy. They served under different flags, but fought for one cause. They stood up to tyranny and stood for freedom, and laid down their lives in defence of human rights and democracy. Continue reading →

“This will put young people at greater risk of developing cancer, experiencing heart and fertility problems, and dying prematurely.” – Bhutila Karpoche, Ontario NDP critic for Mental Health and Addictions

A News Release from Ontario’s New Democratic Party

Posted May 31^st, 2019 on Niagara At Large

QUEEN’S PARK — Bhutila Karpoche, Ontario NDP critic for Mental Health and Addictions, released the following statement in response to news that the Ford government has cut funding to a program that has helped thousands of college and university students quit smoking:

“It’s simply wrong for Doug Ford’s Conservatives to rip support away from young people who want to give up a deadly habit like smoking. This will put young people at greater risk of developing cancer, experiencing heart and fertility problems, and dying prematurely. Continue reading →

Restrictive definition of disability could exclude thousands from getting the care they need

A News Release from Ontaro’s NDP/Official Opposition Party

Posted May 7^th, 2019 on Niagara At Large

Queen’s Park — The Ford government’s cuts are already hurting people with disabilities in Ontario, and now new eligibility restrictions could be devastating to vulnerable Ontarians, said Lisa Gretzky, NDP critic for Community and Social Services.

“This government announced upcoming changes to the definition of disability, which is used to determine ODSP eligibility,”  Gretzky said during question period on Monday. “Experts, advocates and recipients are rightly concerned that this Conservative government is moving toward a narrower definition that would exclude thousands of people.” Continue reading →