Why is Legion Command closing the door on OHC health care vote?

“We need to have convenient sites and we all know where the legions are. Health care is important and all the legion members should open the doors and let the voters come. We need our health care!” BH

Most people who read my articles already know that the Ontario Health Coalition (OHC) is holding a province-wide citizen referendum this month asking Ontarians if they want public hospital services privatized – Yes or No. Pretty straightforward, simple, with no leading statements.

Volunteers have been busy finding convenient polling stations for the in-person vote happening Friday, May 26 and Saturday, May 27.

Some volunteers even approached their local Legion Halls to ensure veterans, and their allies, could make their voices heard regarding the privatization of public hospital services.

These polls are especially important for those veterans who perhaps don’t have access to a cell phone or computer to vote online. They also know they can count on a fellow legionnaire to drive them to the Legion Hall.

Unfortunately, Pamela Sweeny, Executive Director of the Royal Canadian Legion, Ontario Provincial Command sent word to some Legions requesting they not allow their facilities to be used for the citizen-run referendum.

In an email to Sweeny, OHC Executive Director, Natalie Mehra voiced her concern and asked Sweeny to consider the impact that her decision would have on the democratic process and right to speak truth to power.

In her email, Mehra reminded Sweeny of the intertwining history that veterans and our public hospital share.

Most of Ontario’s hospitals were founded by municipalities, charitable, or religious orders. It wasn’t until the early 1900’s that hospitals were used by middle class Ontarians for x-rays, surgeries, and birthing. Even then, cost was often prohibitive.

Many local hospitals were constructed to care for veterans returning from WWI, during the Spanish influenza pandemic from 1918 to 1920, and again after WWII.

In 1939, on the eve of Canada’s involvement in WWII, a major study found that 44 per cent of the young men called up for service were rejected because of poor health.

That study, along with the experiences of war, the Spanish flu and the cost of medical and hospital care created the momentum for public health care that included public hospitals.

In 1965 Canada got Medicare and in 1984 the Canada Health Act set out the main objectives to facilitate reasonable, continued access to quality health care to all Canadians, regardless of income or geographic location.

The Ontario government has been contravening the Canada Health Act by opening private for-profit clinics and hospitals and allowing these corporations to perform surgeries.

For-profit clinics don’t locate in small towns and cities. They operate in urbans centres where they can do high volumes of easy, profitable surgeries.

Private for-profit hospitals and clinics siphon funding out of the public system and attract nursing staff by offering higher pay since they are not bound by government mandated one per cent wage increases.

These corporations take the easy patients leaving the more complex and demanding cases for the public system to address while being under funded and under staffed.

The Canada Health Act states that all medically-necessary hospital and physician services must be provided without user fees or extra billing.

It also prohibits doctors from practicing both in the public system and the private system at the same time. This ensures care for every Canadian regardless of ability to pay because after all, health care is a basic human right.

But what is going on in both health care and within the hierarchy of the Legion is a disregard for democracy, the democratic process, and the people’s right to voice their displeasure to those in power.

During the last election, the Ford government categorically denied any plans to privatize hospital services and expand private for-profit clinics.

Ford claimed that Ontarians would never have to pay with their credit cards, only their OHIP card. And, voters made decisions based on that misinformation and are now paying for health care that should be free.

As Mehra pointed out in her email, “A citizen-run referendum is a democratic response to a profoundly undemocratic dismantling of our public healthcare services. Everyone who votes has a choice. They can vote for privatization, or they can vote against it, and the vote is being conducted by a secret ballot.”

“Our veterans went to war against fascism. We believe that you have a deeper understanding of democracy than many. We hope that the democratic right of Ontarians to have their voices count about matters that are intrinsic to their health and their communities would be upheld and protected by you. We are not asking for your endorsement, simply that you not bar the opportunity for people to vote,” Mehra added.

OHC is a not-for-profit, non-partisan organization with members from every political party. It appears that the Legion hierarchy is perhaps invoking some partisanship in its decision and making universal health care a contentious issue.

Advance polling has already taken place at some local legions. There was no commotion, no one was upset by it and most voters thanked the OHC volunteers for their efforts.

In response to my enquiries around Legion Command instructing local Legion Halls -- many of which are the hub of their community -- to not allow voting during the OHC citizen referendum, I received the following response from Sweeny:

“Good afternoon Doreen

Below is the response I forwarded to the Ontario Health Coalition’s Executive Director:

Thank you for your correspondence and background regarding the Ontario Health Coalition’s referendum.

The Legion remains a nonpartisan and apolitical organization, focused on advocacy and supportive initiatives to improve the well-being of our Veteran community.

While community groups are welcome to book space for things like private meetings, our branches cannot actively participate in events or activities that could be perceived as Legion support for an organization, a person, or their positions. This would include actions such as putting up posters, holding political rallies, or hosting a vote on a contentious civic issue.

Please note we are not discouraging people exercising their right to vote.

We appreciate your understanding and would request the removal of Legion branch locations from your website.

Regards,

Pamela Sweeny

Executive Director

The Royal Canadian Legion

Ontario Provincial Command”

Betty Hogg has been a Legion member of 35 years. When we spoke by phone, the 89-year-old said, “I can’t understand why the Legion won’t allow this vote. The veterans need health care. I’m a senior and need health care. We all need to able to have good health care.”

Hogg went on to state, “We need to have convenient sites and we all know where the legions are. Health care is important and all the legion members should open the doors and let the voters come. We need our health care!”

Use this map to find a polling station near you or vote online right now, right here.

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