by arthur Weinreb, associate Editor,
July 28, 2004
The federal Cabinet had been barely sworn in before the Minister of Health, Ujjal Dosanjh, found himself in hot water.
Paul Martin made health care the cornerstone of his election campaign, if for no other reason than health care is really the only issue that can be used to scare voters into voting Liberal. Martin made a big production about his upcoming meeting with the provincial and territorial leaders surrounding Canada’s health care system, presumably delaying the recall of Parliament so that an agreement can be reached. according to the PM, the meeting which is set to start in Ottawa on September 13 will continue until an agreement is reached and will represent in fact the new era in federal-provincial relations.
In his first statement as Minister of Health, Donsanjh said, "I think it’s important we recognize that privatization is creeping into health care. I can tell you, what we need to do is stem the tide of privatization in Canada and expand public delivery of health care so we have a stronger health-care system for all Canadians."
Dosanjh, a former NDP premier of British Columbia was one of Paul Martin’s infamous star BC candidates. His appointment as a Liberal Party candidate before the party was reduced to a minority was part of the proof that Martin intends to take his government leftward. The burning issue is whether or not Dosanjh was spewing the government line about privatization or is he, as some have described him, just a loose cannon?
It’s hard to believe that an experienced politician although new to the federal Liberals would make a comment like that if it were not sanctioned by Martin. The statement shows that despite being reduced to a minority, the Liberals are every bit as arrogant as when they obtained their third majority government in seven years.
If Dosanjh did indeed state the government line then the meeting with the premiers and territorial leaders will be nothing more than a sham. It shows that the federal government has no intention of listening to the premiers and negotiating. Rather the Martin Liberals simply want to force their views of how Canada’s health system should be run on the other levels of government. It hints at a federal government that will not countenance any private input into the health care system, in word if not in deed.
and, of course like all good Liberals, Ujjal Dosanjh doesn’t explain what he means by privatization. That word is meant to imply "two-tiered" or as the Liberals are so fond of saying, "american style" health care. The general public is meant to interpret privatization as allowing people to jump the queue and pay cash for medical services when they can. Very few Canadians actually want this type of health care. What the Liberals really mean by privatization is the private sector providing services that are paid for by public funds. No one is suggesting a system where the patient pays. But Dosanjh was quick off the mark to continue the confusion surrounding private and public health care.
Dosanjh also commented upon the government’s intention to decriminalize marijuana and his comments on that subject also show reason for concern. When the new Health Minister waded into that debate he said, "My view is that if you make something illegal, some people are more attracted to it — it’s just the high in getting something in a stealth fashion. But if you make it available, if you allow people to possess it in small quantities for personal use, the allure disappears for some people."
In other words legalizing or decriminalizing behaviour will act as a deterrent to it. There is no doubt that the allure of committing a criminal offence attracts some users especially some of the young and immature. Part of the enjoyment of breaking into other people’s homes is no doubt the risk that is involved. Should we make B&Es illegal?
The major concern about Ujjal Dosanjh’s statement is that those who use marijuana primarily because it is illegal, will then go on to harder drugs such as crack or heroin if marijuana is decriminalized. If someone wants to engage in a behaviour in whole or in part because it is illegal, there is no shortage of activities that can achieve that result. The Minister’s statement regarding decriminalization of marijuana leans toward the "loose cannon" theory of the former NDP premier.
Canadians should be wary of their new Minister of Health. as that infamous american felon would say, it’s not a good thing.
The Toronto Star, if nothing else, is predictable.