NDP leader Thomas Mulcair promises spending for seniors

New Democrats say they want to provide stable long-term health funding and work with the provinces and territories to help Canadians access care.

The announcement comes one day after the NDP promised $1.8 billion to improve senior care, including expanded home care, more nursing home beds and improved palliative end-of-life care. This meets the criteria contained in CFNU’s recent report “Before it’s too late: A National Plan for Safe Seniors” Care.

“For a lot of voters, health care will be a defining issue in this election”, Mulcair said of the October 19 vote. “We are looking forward to working with the next federal government on national standards for safe, quality patient care and a health human resource strategy, and this is a very good foundation for our country’s seniors”, said Linda Silas.

The Liberals swiftly pushed back.

Speaking in Vancouver, the NDP leader said “decades of Liberal and Conservative neglect” had left the health-care system unprepared “for the upcoming jump in Canada’s aging population”.

“He will have to break his promise and impose cuts”.

The NDP leader said he plans to release more details on his overall health-care plan ahead of Thursday’s debate in Calgary, which will focus on the economy.

It was announced today that Canada is not in a deficit and has a almost two billion dollar surplus for the first time in eight years.

“I am hoping that you and some of your colleagues will be asking that question of Mr. Trudeau, of Mr. Harper”. What are you going to be doing differently?

Mulcair’s announcement on senior care has been praised by the Canadian Nurses Association, the Canadian Association of Retired Persons and the Canadian Medical Association. The NDP said the rally Sunday evening drew more supporters than any other during the campaign so far.