Kingston Campaign Goal Set: Reach Every Household

Almost 100 representatives of local organizations converged in the Kingston Public Library on Wednesday night for the plenary meeting of the Kingston campaign. Organized by the Kingston Health Coalition, the event was energetic and motivating. Representatives from the Council on Aging, the Office of Justice and Peace of the Sisters of Providence, the office of the Bishop, CUPE, OPSEU, USWA, Steelworker retirees, the CAW, retired teachers, the Elementary School Teachers Federation, Committee on Monetary and Economic Reform, Council of Canadians, Kingston City Council, community agencies, the Raging Grannies, the Kingston Action Network, the Kingston and District Labour Council and many others overwhelmingly supported the Ontario Health Coalition Action Plan and set a target of reaching every household in Kingston.

Led by Kingston Coalition co chairs Charlie Stock and Ross Sutherland, the event began with a short video of Shirley Douglas - daughter of Medicare founder, Tommy Douglas - delivering an impassioned speech. Natalie Mehra Provincial Coordinator of the OHC outlined the latest information on the attack on our National Health system and reviewed the campaign plan. Participants split into committees to brainstorm lists for outreach, lead-up events and logistical plans. Kingston's Raging Grannies sent the crowd into gales of laughter with some cheeky street theatre and a new set of songs about healthcare.

Participants made a plan to travel to Ottawa and join with the Ottawa Health Coalition for the Romanow Commission hearing there on April 4. Look for more information on this in future Newsflashes.

Burlington Activists Gear Up to Save Medicare

Approximately 30 activists and representatives of Burlington-area organizations met on Tuesday night to plan their local campaign to save Medicare. After a short presentation a lively question period and discussion broke out among representatives from the local faith communities, the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation, the Retired Teachers of Ontario, senior's groups, the opposition political parties, women's organizations, students, and concerned community members. Planning got off to a strong start. In the words of one participant, the evening was an "inspiring success"! Thanks are due to Ed Babb and the Burlington Coalition for all their good work.

Burlington's next meeting will be set shortly. To join the Burlington campaign: 905-681-0242.

Local Contact Information

Call the Ontario Health Coalition at 416-441-2502 or email ohc@sympatico.ca

Belleville - call Virginia at 613-962-8442

Bowmanville - call Cathy at 905-985-9963

Brampton - call Eugene at 905-792-2894

Brockville - call Bobbi at 613-342-5086 or email jordandb@recorder.ca

Burlington - call Ed at 905-681-0242

Chatham-call Aaron at 519-351-9148 or email mdemeest@sympatico.ca

Cobourg- call Bill at 905-377-8375 or email wnichol@cupe.ca

Cornwall- call Madeline at 613-933-2390 or email madeleine.lebrun@sympatico.ca

Fort Erie- call Julius at 905-371-3071 or email jantal@iamaw171.org

Fort Frances- call CUPE 795 at 807-274-3181.

Guelph- call Carole at 519-823-2923 or email camill@web.net

Hamilton- call Fran at 905-516-5690

Kenora- call Donna at 807-468-7203 or email cdwiebe@kenora.com

Kingston- call Ross at 613-374-5258 or email Charlie at cstock@sympatico.ca

Kitchener-Waterloo- call Orville at 519-893-3974.

Lindsay- call James at 705-324-7841 or email poetman@nexicom.net

London- call Peter at 519-433-4403 or email ohclondon@hotmail.com

Midland/Penetanguishine- call Vern at 416-443-7662.

Niagara Falls- call Julius at 905-371-3071 or email jantal@iamaw171.org

North Bay- call Dawson at 705-497-9434 or email prattd@canadorec.on.ca

Orangeville- call Connie at 519-848-6762.

Oshawa- call Jim at 905- 434-5922 or email jfreeman5922@rogers.com

Ottawa- call Abe at 613-244-2817 or email Leslie at lmcwhinnie@yahoo.ca

Owen Sound- call Len at 519-389-4490 or email lhope@caw.ca

Peterborough- call Bev at 705-292-9277.

Port Colbourne- call Rose at 905-834-1145.

Renfrew- call Sue at 613-432-7208 or email skmcsh@renfrew.net

Sarnia- call Arlene at 519-869-6826 or email Arlin26@hotmail.com

Sault Ste. Marie- call Elsa at 705-949-6235 or email elsam@onlink.net

St. Catharines- call Kim at 905-227-2881 or email sdlc@on.aibn.com

Sioux Lookout- call Donna at 807-468-7203 or email cdwiebe@kenora.com

Sudbury- call the office at (705)675-2227 or email Ann Rinnard arenard@vianet.on.ca

Thunder Bay- call Evelina at 807-344-5027 or email epan@tbaytel.net

Timmins- call Ben at 705-232-8121 x 7599 or email caw599@kiddmet.falconbridge.com

Toronto- call the office at 416-929-1545 or email pacfutt@globalserve.net or check the website at http://toronto_health.tripod.com

Welland- call Robert at 905-735-4223

Windsor- call Mike at 519-256-8082 or email dlongmoore@cogeco.ca

Woodstock- call Violette at 519-539-6626 or email vmthib@sympatico.ca

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