REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING - APRIL 30, 2002
MOTION B.3

3. Protect Public Health Care (File: 4101)

At the Council meeting of January 15, 2002, Councillor Bass submitted the following Notice of Motion which was recognized by the Chair:

MOVED by Councillor Bass
SECONDED by Councillor Louis

WHEREAS, universal access to health care is an economic and social asset;

AND WHEREAS, the provincial government announced dramatic changes in the delivery of healthcare which will limit access to health services and negatively affect the population of the city of Vancouver;

AND WHEREAS, the provincial government's proposed changes in health care could lead to radical privatization of healthcare services;

AND WHEREAS, once privatization is introduced into the system, international trade agreements will likely limit the provincial governments' ability to set healthcare policy;

AND WHEREAS, the changes to health care were conducted with no broad public consultation;

AND WHEREAS, municipal councils across British Columbia - including the councils of the District of North Vancouver, the City of North Vancouver, Burnaby, Hope, Port Coquitlam, Williams Lake and Terrace - are considering resolutions on opposing cuts to health services;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the City of Vancouver:

(A) call on the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority and the provincial government to conduct broad, public consultations prior to going ahead with any of the proposed privatization of services, hospital closures and health service cuts;

(B) obtain comprehensive social and economic impact studies to assess the effect that the proposed healthcare changes would have on Vancouver residents; and

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(C) request the Union of British Columbia Municipalities and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to examine the implications of free trade agreements on our public healthcare policies and operations.

Referred

The Chair advised the receipt of correspondence, dated April 26, 2002, requesting to speak. Council agreed to refer consideration of the Motion on Notice to a future Standing Committee meeting to hear from speakers.

(c) 1998 City of Vancouver