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Our next question is from Ryan1812:
I want to know what penalties or consequences will befall a province if they impose user fees for healthcare? Plain and simple. What will you do in event a province imposes healthcare user fees on their population?
Thanks, Peggy - very much appreciated!
Hi Ryan.
Penalties under the Canada Health Act are linked to federal transfers to the provinces. More precisely, each provincial health care insurance plan must comply with the requirements of the Act before the province receives its total entitlement of cash transfers. If a province fails to comply, the federal government may impose a penalty and withhold part or all of the transfers. If a province is determined to implement user fees, then I will enforce the Canada Health Act using the provisions I just outlined.
I will say however, that the road to user fees can be stopped. I know that working closely with the provinces and making sure they receive the funding they need to operate their healthcare systems on a long-term basis, will stop them from even considering the option of user fees.
Where is my like button?
Glad you found a like button Howard!
Howard is a like-minded person.
Our next question is from Chris Borst:
Most of our candidates have been charged with being earnest but dull. In your case, the charges have included "vague". Given the importance of the mass media in reaching and swaying voters, and the greater media access of the other two parties, what is your strategy to fight and win the "air war"?
Hi Chris,
Nothing wins the air war like bold ideas and clear direction. This past week I put forward the type of plan that can draw a lot of attention and sway a lot of voters. I think one of the main things we have to champion in the next 4 years is that of bringing in a proportional representation voting system.
People have felt so disconnected for so long from the electoral process because the outcome doesn't reflect their vote. I know the NDP has proposed this in the past, but we can shake things up and get people excited about implementing real change and getting a system where the parties actually cooperate with each other. Imagine if we could convince Canadians that their vote could actually bring the change they've wanted for so long.
For this we have to move beyond the platform. We need active campaigns across the country that include civil society, NGOs, our riding associations and our MPs. We can't just talk about our ideas anymore. We need to use new social media and new outreach methods to connect with people and get them excited about CHANGE - not just ideas.
If we remain bold and exciting and don't shy away from risks, I think we'll sway the 40% that didn't even bother to vote this last election.
Hi Todrick: The NDP Caucus supported the UN mandate to protect Libyans from government attacks. We wanted the government to focus more on diplomacy and humanitarian assistance, and ultimately voted against extending the mission.
Dunno if there's time or if this has been asked, but I have a question with regard to foreign policy: Harper is meeting with Netanyahu today, and although Harper says he prefers diplomacy, one can still hear the war drums beating against Iran. Any thoughts on this, Ms. Nash? (sorry for getting a second question in...)
Thanks for the second question Boom Boom. Canada needs to urge Prime Minister Netanyahu to avoid military action against Iran. We don't need more militarization and should be focusing all efforts on diplomacy and prevention.
Hi Peggy.
I recently heard someone say that when the idea of co-operating with liberals to oust the conservatives from conservative held ridings, top liberals claimed that 50% of liberals would vote conservative, if the liberals did not run a candidate in their riding. Do you know if this was based on a scientific poll, personal opinion, or concensus among top leaders?
We're all out of time. Peggy, thank you so much for taking the time to answer our questions!
edit: too slow:p
Thank you thank you thank you!!!!
Thank you for all of the interesting questions and thanks Babble for hosting this forum! Hope to see you online soon!
Hi Peggy,
As a small business owner, I am curious about your small business policy. Do have any strategies or initiatives in mind for helping us 'ma & pa' operations to grow, hire more employees and become more sustainable?
Cheers,
Trevor
Thank you so much for coming by babble tonight Peggy! Good luck with the last weeks of the campaign!
oops - I humbly apologise for taking more time with a second question.
Thanks for accepting our invitation, and good luck in the rest of this marathon!
Thanks Peggy. Supplementary: What kind of "new outreach methods" do you have in mind? Jack was able to use Tout le monde en parle to unprecedented success. Do you see a similar "unorthodox" platform that would best suit your strengths?
And do you think you can match soundbites with Bob Rae? (Whatever we may think of him, this is clearly one of his great strengths.)
*sigh* no one ever has an answer to my question, except for a shoulder shrug.
Got on too late. Dang. Thanks and bonne chance!
Hi Peggy, sorry I missed you. JUst wanted you to know that I was already leaning towards supporting your bid for leader, and your answers have only helped. Lot of good candidates as usual, and I know there's limits to what we can expect from anyone in government now, but I'm personally looking for those I can trust most to turn things around. Harper's proposed 'austerity' measures won't help, as past experience has shown us. Thanks for taking the time.
Peggy has definitely moved up in my estimation. She did well here.
BTW, jim, if you're still on, Brian Topp has been offering that "50% of Liberals would vote Conservative if there was no Liberal candidate" figure. I have no idea what he's basing the number on (he claims it's what Liberals have told him), but it certainly doesn't jibe with the second choice figures from any political poll I've ever seen (e.g., this poll from May 1, 2011 showed 54% of Liberals having the NDP as their second choice v. 13% with the Conservatives as their second choice).
Oh well.
This is the only scientific look at the issue that I have been able to find
http://api.ning.com/files/Otqv0xhoj*hSCQHqBYZh8EypepkU*mxHakInmZf9l*dwsC...
Seem like a no brainer to me