My presentation to gabriolans...
I unfortunately did not have the chance to sit with the other candidates at the Sept 15th meeting on Gabriola Island.
The presentation below was what I had prepared to present at the All Candidates Meeting...
Jackie Moad, RN
Hi. I’m glad to be back on Gabriola. I lived here in the early ‘80’s, over on Dogwood Crescent, when I first moved to B.C. That was when I began working with Columbian House for the disabled, and when I helped start Haven House for abused women in Nanaimo.
At that time I was fortunate to stand with Rosemary Brown, the only MLA brave enough to speak up for women and the families who were being abused – and that led to some of us forming the BC/Yukon Society for Transition Houses. ...And so I’m very pleased to see the progress since – how violence against women is no longer sanctioned or acceptable in our society. But there's still more to do.
I do though remember Gabriola as a charismatic island, a place where ideas begin, where people are involved with their community, take pride and stand up for their rights - and make sure they’re heard when something’s not done right. And it’s a pleasure to be in such good company once again!
And, ...actually, you almost had me as a neighbour again, some ten years ago. My husband and I had plans to finish work in Ottawa, and we purchased a lot on Ross Road - expecting to build on it and live here. Then my friend, Lynn Wallace, got cancer and we moved instead to Cedar - buying her farm.
Becoming a farmer wasn't something I planned, and at fifty hasn’t been easy - but working to get action on issues surrounding food security has been rewarding. Buy local campaigns are one of the priorities I think soon need to be given serious attention in Parliament ...and in all of the Free Trade agreements that Canada has been rushing into lately.
My second priority, very important to us all as our population ages, is adequate services and programs for seniors. I won’t talk about my experience in this field right now, but more information about my background and my priorities can be found on my website - or just call, and we can talk further.
Tonight I’d like to talk about my number one priority, an issue close to the heart of all nurses - and that’s Health Care in Canada.
My commitment to my community and my country is anchored solidly in my profession as a nurse. And I take that responsibility seriously.
With the need to be absolutely certain of my patient’s needs, the medicines and schedules to follow, my care for patients can at times make the difference between life and death.
Our nation’s approach to health care should be equally serious and attentive to the details. But we're at risk of losing it if things continue on the course of our present government.
Great New Democrats, and CCF’ers before that, fought hard and sacrificed much to get universal health care in Canada - to give us all this chance for a long and healthy and prosperous life.
But lately you may have noticed the fabric of that vision, of care and good health and prosperity for all, becoming a little tattered. The threads of Canada’s flag, of our great nation, are beginning to unravel as preferential treatment is given to those with deep pockets.
The creeping privatization of health care is eroding our social safety net, along with our ability to help one another through times of need.
Faceless multinationals and uncaring corporations have been wined and dined, invited to help themselves to the wealth of our great nation – leaving the majority of Canadians to fend for themselves.
It's time that we, you and I and all Canadians, asked ourselves some tough questions.
Do we speak up for a way of life that has served us all, that has protected our health and that of our families and communities? Are we going to stand up together for Canadian values and institutions?
Facing such a choice our best-loved Canadian, the NDP MP for Nanaimo in the seventies, replied, “I for one will not stand idly by.”
And neither will I...
Which is why I’m here today, and inviting you to send a nurse to Parliament.
I believe I have what it takes to serve you, Nanaimo-Ladysmith, and Canada’s best interests. And I would be honoured to represent you in the House of Commons.
Thank you.
Jackie Moad
Thistledown Farm, Cedar, BC
(250 722-7223) <[email protected]> (http://jackiemoad.weebly.com)