Too many folks have personal (and professional) stories related to health care that are concerning, often heartbreaking. We need to do more to address these concerns. The solutions lie in listening and working together (in partnership) with these folks. Local Voices Matter.

Keeping Health Care public is paramount. We've seen that private health care does not deliver safer or even faster health care and it has been shown to cost much much more. We can and must do better. 

​

If nurses are asking for a task force, then get this done already.

If physicians want team based care, what are we waiting for?

And don't you think it's about time we have universal mental health care access?

Folks in the community have identified that they are concerned about the level of property crime in our city. Personal safety has also been identified as a concern. Some folks are homeless, others are struggling with addictions (often both). These are all more complex than just policing issues. Discussions need to be had, to find out whats really going on, then solutions need to be considered (and implemented) faster than they are happening right now. We need Better Supports. Working Partnerships between Provincial, Municipal, and Indigenous leaders (and all governments) are key here. 

​

Having the money (funding) is important to address these things, but having a plan is too. We need both. Community, that sense of belonging and pride, we all need that. Feeling heard and understood. To some this might sound like fluff, but it is not. That is where these solutions lie. People need a sense of purpose, bring all partners in to find solutions. Understanding and addressing the Social Determinants of Health is key. 

​

What are the social determinants of health? 

They are social and economic factors that influence people's health. 

This a list of 14 SDoH: 

- Income and Income Distribution

- Education

- Unemployment and Job Security

- Employment and Working Conditions

- Early Childhood Development

- Food Insecurity

- Housing

- Social Exclusion

- Social Safety Network

- Health Services

- Aboriginal Status

- Gender

- Race

- Disability

All of these factors influence your health in both positive and negative ways.

​

Notice that I didn't list these in the health care section, though I could have. Why did I do this?

Because the SDoH are about more than health care/health services, and the impacts are far reaching.

​

Think about how each factor above impacts a person's life.​

Proper per Student funding is needed immediately. In the meantime, extra supports are being cut in schools and kids are always not getting what they need. We need to listen to what teachers, staff and students are telling us. And then get it done.

​

Class size and composition are often talked about amongst teachers, we've gotta listen and act on what they need. I mentioned the extra supports in schools. These include EAs, social workers, mentors, speech language professionals, etc. The work these folks do is just as important as the class content. And if you've been paying attention to what local school boards are saying, this is where cuts are happening and will continue to happen.

Whether you are on a fixed income, are a single parent, or are family like mine with busy kids and busy parents, so many folks have been impacted by the cost of living increases. I want to hear from you.