SOCIO-POLITICAL ACTION Archives

Can we afford a strong health and social service system? – Part 2

17 April 2023 |

When it comes to investing in public services, the political class is quick to dish up the same old phony pragmatism: there’s no money in the coffers (apart from the occasional band-aid measure) and money doesn’t grow on trees. In the first article in our series “Can we afford a strong health and social service system?” we looked at the state of public finances to rebut the first claim. This time we consider the revenue sources our government could draw upon to ensure better funding of the public health and social service system.

Can we afford a strong health and social service system? Part 1

3 April 2023 |

When it comes to investing in public services, the political class is quick to dish up the same old phony pragmatism: there’s no money in the coffers (apart from the occasional band-aid measure) and money doesn’t grow on trees. In this first article in our series “Can we afford a strong health and social service system?” we assess the first of these claims by looking at Québec’s current financial situation as outlined in the 2023-2024 budget. And as for the question of whether money grows on trees, stay tuned for our next article on the sources of revenue available to the government.

The secret to a strong health and social service system

4 March 2023 |

The discontent with the current state of the health and social service system is palpable. Given all the broken promises to Quebecers – to put an end to waiting lists and give everyone access to a family doctor – it’s little wonder government pledges to fix the problems with the health-care system are greeted with suspicion. In contrast to the threadbare solutions contained in the Legault government’s health-care reform plan (cost control, phony decentralization, expanding the role of the private sector, etc.), the APTS has a distinctly different vision for the health care and social service system. Our vision is outlined in our political platform and we’ll be promoting it with a campaign under the theme “A strong union for a strong public system.” It lays out the kind of health-care system Quebecers deserve and the principles that should guide any government that’s serious about making it better.

Why Québec needs a universal public drug insurance plan

1 March 2023 |

A number of union organizations, including the APTS, are calling loudly and clearly for universal pharmacare that would give the entire Canadian population access to public prescription drug insurance. The question that arises is how this demand is relevant to Québec.

Black perspectives on the health and social services system

24 July 2020 |

This summer, the resurgence of the battle against racism in the United States is generating questions and discussion in Québec society. One thing clearly emerges from the debate: if we’re going to fight systemic racism,¹ we first have to acknowledge that it exists. We asked two APTS delegates from Montréal’s Black community to share their views and experiences and tell us what they think might help, as potential solutions.

Fighting racism the way we fought sexism

22 July 2020 |

On May 25, George Floyd suffocated to death, choked under the knee of a Minneapolis police officer. The tragic death of this African American man rekindled racial tensions in the United States, sparking weeks of protests across that country. These events have also reopened the debate in Québec and Canada on systemic racism.

12 solutions to fight tax havens

17 April 2019 |

In the fight to end tax havens and promote tax justice, the budget tabled by the Trudeau government on March 19, 2019 is a big disappointment.