L to R Stefan Cieslik, 2nd VP, BC Retired Teachers’ Association, Marianne Hutterli, Retired teacher, Kurt Hutterli, author artist, member of the public, Cheryl Friars member of the public

L to R Brita Park, retired teacher, Cheryl Friars member of the public, Stefan Cieslik, 2nd VP, BC Retired Teachers’ Association, Ray Pitt retired teacher, Kurt Hutterli,(author artist, member of the public), Marianne Hutterli, Retired teacher

* We welcomed everyone to the rally and the National Day of Action on Health Care.
* HEU and other health care advocates have organized today’s rally in Oliver providing pamphlets, information signs, etc.
* Rallies are taking place in more than 25 B.C. communities today as part of a national effort to save public health care.
* Public health care is under threat.
* Forces have been chipping away at it for years.
* In 2014, the federal Conservatives began cutting $36 billion from health care transfers to the provinces.
* B.C. is losing $5 billion. (Which is going to mean major cutbacks, Oliver might lose its hospital).
* Health care needs more support not less.
* The federal election will take place later this year.
* We need to elect MPs who will stand up for public health care.
* HEU and other health care advocates want the next Prime Minister and federal government to restore the $36 billion in funding and take additional steps to protect, strengthen and expand public health care.
* We pledged to vote for health care in the next election
* We thanked everyone once more for coming to the rally.