BC Provincial Election 2017 Election Tool Kit
Public Health Association of BC Election Toolkit 2017
The coming Provincial election is an opportunity for public health professionals in BC to advocate for policies that will improve the health of the population. PHABC has a long history of non-partisan advocacy. This tool kit offers PHABC members some suggestions to guide their advocacy in support of the policy advocacy of the Association. Below are some suggested activities that members can pursue in the lead-up to voting day on May 9, 2017. An advocacy framework highlighting some of the important evidence-based policies PHABC would like to see enacted in BC follows this. Some helpful links to more information on specific policies is also provided.
Actions you can take:
- Be informed about the policies in this toolkit and compare them to the platforms of BC’s political parties.
- Attend all candidate meetings and ask candidates to outline their views and their party’s position on these policies. Encourage candidates to support these policies.
- Contact your local candidates and discuss their views on these policies. Get a commitment from the candidate to support this policy agenda in some way.
- Share information on these policies with family, friends, colleagues, and through social media. Encourage people to vote for candidates/parties that are prepared to pursue these policies if elected.
- Vote for candidates/parties that support a robust public health policy agenda.
PHABC May 2017 BC Election Advocacy Agenda
The PHABC election agenda addresses the issue of inequality. From a public health perspective, social, economic, and environmental conditions should promote optimal health, and all citizens have a right to opportunities for success and prosperity.
Socioeconomic and health inequities are increasing in BC and across Canada as a result of the inequitable distribution of wealth through the market economy (much of which has been caused by government policies related to lowering taxes, cutting public programs, and reducing regulatory controls). We are advocating for specific policies to address this social gradient through the redistribution of wealth by the government. Our mission is to promote health, wellbeing, and equity for all British Columbians through leadership in public health. This will require cooperative action at all levels of government and our society.
Below is a graphic showing a platform of policies designed specifically for the May 2017 BC Election FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION by the BC Government. LONGER TERM Actions where BC can cooperate with other sectors (all levels of governments, civil society, and the business sector) are listed on the last page.
For a full discussion of this approach and references go to the link below:
BC Election 2017 Policy Framework
BC Election 2017 Policy Framework
Some Additional Resources
$10 a day Licensed Child Care
Poverty Reduction Plan
https://www.policyalternatives.ca/publications/commentary/bc-poverty-reduction-plan-long-overdue
Living Wage
http://www.livingwageforfamilies.ca/what_is_living_wage
Tax Reform
https://www.policyalternatives.ca/offices/bc/fair-taxes#reportsandstudies
A Longer Term Advocacy Agenda
- A comprehensive poverty reduction plan
- A homelessness reduction plan
- A plan to improve early childhood education
- Transformation of the healthcare system to provide comprehensive public and population health, primary health care, community care, and mental health services with greater emphasis on the social determinants of health
- A plan to improve primary, secondary, and tertiary, education and provide financial support for students from disadvantaged families
- Affordable housing
- Improved public transportation – transit, roads, bridges, etc.
- Communications – internet access
- Incentives for renewable energy sources, address energy poverty
- A sustainable environment (protection, conservation, restoration)
- Improved access to recreation facilities
- A specific plan to improve the health and well-being of indigenous peoples
- Improved corporate governance
