Statement from the Public Health Association of BC (PHABC) and Prevention of Violence Canada (POVC)

This statement concerns the level of rage directed at the female Deputy Prime Minister, Chrystia Freeland, in her service to the Canadian Public. The verbal assault was both threatening and demeaning. While the assault needs to be addressed at the individual level, PHABC and POVC acknowledge there is also collective and systemic responsibility towards this violence.

Political interests fed by misinformation and disinformation fueled, and continue to fuel, oppositional outrage.  This outrage serves to foment polarized and divisive discourse in Canada. At the root of this is a threat to our democracy, social order and social cohesion. We have witnessed and experienced the spread of false narratives designed to inflame citizens to disrupt society through civil disobedience. These narratives include, but are not limited to, financial misconduct, environmental legislation and vaccine safety.

Misinformation and disinformation are created to bolster distrust and weaken confidence in public institutions and their leadership. This leads to the destruction of social capital and weakens community relationships. As a peaceful nation that respects the rule of law, we have an obligation to call out threats of violence, abusive language and menacing behaviour. Leaders who incite such behaviour must be held accountable.

We call on all political parties and leaders to condemn the vilification of our Deputy Prime Minister, and all governments to develop equitable and critical responses to online misinformation and disinformation. Investments in upstream prevention will further maximize public health measures that will serve to protect and enhance the livelihoods of all Canadians. We must recognize and treat this as a serious threat to our peaceful coexistence, and take cohesive actions that unite our country.

Shannon Turner Executive Director Public Health Association of BC exec.director@phabc.org 250-595-8422

Sarah Burke National Co-chair Prevention of Violence Canada

PHABC’s media statement regarding the Report on the Budget 2023 Consultation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Summary

• Every one dollar spent in public health, BC saves seven dollars in mental health and addiction treatment, and another seven dollars in other social costs and loss of productivity. Investing in upstream prevention pays dividends!
• While individual lifestyle changes can improve health outcomes, addressing determinants of health like shelter, safety, and income, can result in long term population health gains.
• PHABC believes that the Government of British Columbia should “build on existing commitments to create more local school meal programs.”

Victoria, B.C., August 22, 2022 – As British Columbians continue to experience detrimental health consequences from multiple crises (the housing, opioid and climate crises, all of which are further exacerbated by COVID-19), it has become critical for our province to invest in robust, sustainable and preventative public health measures.

The Public Health Association of BC (PHABC) calls for a 6% investment in public health to enhance infrastructure and upstream prevention.

“It’s clear that the current 3% investment in the health care budget is not enough to tackle the growing public health concerns our province faces,” said Shannon Turner, Executive Director of PHABC. “While we acknowledge the importance of individual health choices and lifestyle changes, we also respect and understand that systemic changes that impact shelter, safety and income, have a far greater impact on individual and collective health.”

The Report on the Budget 2023 Consultation highlighted that for every one dollar spent in public health, BC saves seven dollars in mental health and addiction treatment, and another seven dollars in other social costs and loss of productivity.

“Bigger financial investments now translate to smaller costs in the healthcare system in the long-term,” said Dr. Gord Miller, Past President of PHABC. “We applaud the report’s recommendations focussed on alleviating the health system strains and ensuring healthcare services are accessible to more people.”

PHABC also acknowledges the BC Chapter of the Coalition for Healthy School Food’s 2023 Budget Recommendations. PHABC believes that the Government of British Columbia should “build on existing commitments to create more local school meal programs, by costing out and funding the first phase of a universal, healthy school food program for K-12 students in BC”.

This includes building capacity among school communities, developing a multi-year funding stream for school food programs, and allocating resources for provincial and local school food advisory bodies to ensure that programs respect local conditions while meeting broad guiding principles.

“PHABC challenges the report’s categorization of school food programs as a service for vulnerable students to address food insecurity. Evidence has shown that this approach can be stigmatizing, while universal school food programs serve everyone and protect the dignity of all,” Turner emphasized.

PHABC appreciates the Standing Committee’s deliberations on the recommendations and members’ agreements on supporting public health to reduce long-term strain.

For more information, please contact:

Selenna Ho
Communications Director
Public Health Association of BC
communications@phabc.org
778-836-1001