Dr. Vincent Lam, Adrienne Clarkson, and Kiefer Sutherland among those pledging support on eve of 2nd National Day of Action
Toronto, June 13, 2013 – The campaign for refugee health care gained some high profile new support today as dozens of prominent Canadian writers were joined by actors, filmmakers, and musicians in signing a declaration which calls on the federal government to reverse its cuts to the Interim Federal Health Program. It has been almost one year since the government made changes to the program which has left many patients – including sick children and pregnant women fleeing sexual violence – suffering.
“As a physician, and as a Canadian, it is unacceptable to me that refugees in need of health services are being denied care,” said award winning author Dr. Vincent Lam. “I stand proudly with my colleagues in the medical and arts communities in calling on the federal government to reverse these harmful cuts.”
Among other signatories to the declaration, Speaking up for Canada – Opposing cuts to health services for refugees, are authors Margaret Atwood, Yann Martel, and Rohinton Mistry, actors Shirley Douglas and Kiefer Sutherland, musician Jian Ghomeshi, and former Governor General Adrienne Clarkson and her husband, writer John Ralston Saul.
As the declaration notes, “refugees arriving in Canada – many of whom are fleeing war, violence, or famine – often come with little more than the clothes they are wearing. Access to basic health services is guaranteed to them under the Charter; care has been provided because it is the right thing to do.”
A National Day of Action is being planned in 19 cities across Canada on Monday, June 17th. Dr. Lam will be speaking at the event in Toronto. Please visit http://www.doctorsforrefugeecare.ca/day-of-action-june-17-2013.html for detailed information.
“This campaign began with a few physicians expressing alarm over the health impacts of federal cuts to refugee care,” said Dr. Philip Berger, Chief of Family and Community Medicine at St. Michael’s Hospital. “As a result of the government’s continued intransigence and mendacity, the campaign has attracted a diverse coalition of Canadians who believe there is no place for these reckless cuts in a fair and generous society.”
The declaration and a complete list of signatories follow.
For more information or to arrange an interview please contact:
Christopher Holcroft
Principal, Empower Consulting
416-996-0767
Christopherholcroft@hotmail.ca
Speaking up for Canada – Opposing cuts to health services for refugees
Canada has a proud humanitarian tradition.
We offer refuge to those seeking safety, rights to those seeking justice, and care to those who are ill.
Yet these principles which define us are being undermined by a policy change that is delivering real harm to a vulnerable population.
On June 30th, 2012, the federal government made cuts to the Interim Federal Health Program that have resulted in important health services for refugees being eliminated or restricted.
Refugees arriving in Canada – many of whom are fleeing war, violence, or famine – often come with little more than the clothes they are wearing. Access to basic health services is guaranteed to them under the Charter; care has been provided because it is the right thing to do.
Now, due to these cuts, many refugees – future citizens of this country – are being denied services, including children and pregnant women. The non-profit organization Canadian Doctors for Refugee Care has documented many such unacceptable cases on their website. The federal cuts have also sown confusion within our health system, further restricting access to care for refugees and resulting in unnecessary costs being borne by provincial governments.
This is not the Canadian way.
We call on the federal government to reverse these health cuts and restore our country’s humanitarian tradition of providing care to refugees.
On June 17th, please join us and Canadian Doctors for Refugee Care in participating in a National Day of Action. There are events taking place in cities across the country. To learn more, please visit www.doctorsforrefugeecare.ca.
Signatures:
Stephen Andrews
Sara Angel
Margaret Atwood
Jack Batten
John Bemrose
Randy Boyagoda
Joseph Boyden
Cathy Marie Buchanan
Stevie Cameron
Wayson Choy
Adrienne Clarkson
Karen Connelly
Erika de Vasconcelos
Shirley Douglas
Sarah Elton
Will Ferguson
Ken Finkleman
Charlie Foran
Richard Fung
Jian Ghomeshi
Camilla Gibb
Don Gillmor
Lee Gowan
Charlotte Gray
John Greyson
Rawi Hage
Marjorie Harris
Lawrence Hill
Miranda Hill
Naomi Klein
Vincent Lam
Michele Landsberg
Kyo Maclear
Yann Martel
Ashok Mathur
Ken McGoogan
Rohinton Mistry
Michael Ondaatje
Katrina Onstad
Ian Iqbal Rashid
Nino Ricci
Robert Rotenberg
Kerri Sakamoto
John Ralston Saul
Emily Schultz
Philip Slayton
Linda Spalding
Kiefer Sutherland
Madeleine Thien
Miriam Toews
Jane Urquhart