Where: YWCA, 733 Beatty street, right next to Stadium Skytrain Station.
(Note: there are several Y’s, please make note of the address).
When: 6.30PM, Wed, June 27

FB: https://www.facebook.com/events/291338344296097/

As of June 30, 2012, refugees in Canada who are in need of medical assistance, including children, the elderly, and pregnant women, will no longer be able to access critical health care services. Among the services to be cut for some or all refugees are: prenatal care for… pregnant women; access to mental health care; coverage for necessary medications, including insulin. Unless their condition is deemed a threat to public health or safety, some refugee claimants will also be denied access to physicians — even if they are suffering from illnesses like cancer or cardiovascular diseases, even if they are having heart attacks.

Health workers have warned that people will die because of these cuts. On May 11, doctors staged a protest on Parliament Hill, while another group of 90 physicians occupied Minister Joe Oliver’s office in Toronto. On June 18, in a coordinated “National Day of Action,” health workers in Vancouver, Calgary, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Toronto, Hamilton, Ottawa, Montreal and St. John’s will be staging events across the country. The
cuts have also been condemned at the institutional level, with numerous national health organizations issuing statements: the College of Family Physicians of Canada, Canadian Association of Optometrists, Canadian Association of Social Workers, Canadian Dental Association, Canadian Medical Association, Canadian Nurses Association, Canadian Association of Community Health Centres, Canadian Association of Midwives, and Canadian Doctors for Medicare. For more information: http://www.doctorsforrefugeecare.ca/index.html

These cuts to health care for refugees come at the same time as the passing of Bill C-31, the draconian Refugee Exclusion Act that, in supposed efforts to crack down on human smuggling, mandates the immediate
certain detention of refugee claimants, including minors.

Please join us on Wednesday, June 27 as health workers explain what health services are being cut, what community and health care resources exist for people who have limited access to health care, what resources need to be created, and how we can ensure adequate and accessible health for all.

Speaker list to be announced.

Light refreshments will be provided.
Child-friendly event with childcare on-site.
This venue is wheelchair accessible including washrooms.
This event is free of charge. Donations are welcome to assist with cost of
room rental.

For more information, email noii-van@resist.ca or call 604 787 4109.