May 10, 2000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Attention: Assignment Editors

Prime Minister blasted for inaction on Alberta private hospitals' legislation

TORONTO -- Health care activists and concerned citizens, furious at the federal government's inaction on Alberta's private hospitals' legislation, will gather for an Emergency Demonstration, Thurs., May 11, 12:30 p.m., Liberal Party Headquarters, 10 St. Mary's St., Toronto.

Bill 11, which is being rammed through the Alberta legislature by Tory Premier Ralph Klein, threatens to undermine Medicare for all Canadians.

Condemning Prime Minister Jean Chretien for his appalling lack of action, protestors will demand that the federal government immediately pass emergency legislation prohibiting the use of federal funds in for-profit hospitals.

Seniors and women's organizations, social justice coalitions, unions, nurses and other health care workers, and many others are vowing to turn up the heat on Chretien and Health Minister Allan Rock if they refuse to take decisive action.

They warn that unless the federal government takes an unequivocal stand against privatization, Klein and Ontario Premier Mike Harris will place Canadians' entitlement to quality, not-for-profit public health care in serious jeopardy.