If you were in downtown Halifax Wednesday, you might have seen giant doppelgangers of Canada’s Premiers taking a stroll along the boardwalk.
 
Demonstrators dressed as Stephen Harper carried 10-foot effigies of Canada’s Premiers while asking the Council of the Federation to stand against a proposed cut to Canada health transfers starting in 2017.
 
Paul Moist, National President of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, says he was there to support the Premiers who are against Prime Minister Harper’s planned $31-billion cut.
 
“We know the Premier spoke out against Mr. Harper’s December 2011, take it or leave it, first and final proposition for the renewal of the health care accord,” said Moist. “We want to support the Premiers to stand up and protect Medicare along with all the other issues they have on their agenda here this week.”
 
Moist says he believes protestors should support the Premiers and not criticize them to yield results.
 
“I think every time politicians meet, instead of us just criticizing them they need to know they have support, and for us Medicare is the flagship social program for Canada and we need to defend it and grow it,” said Moist.
 
In December the Conservative Government announced the plan to axe $31-billion from Federal Heath care beginning in 2017, a topic which will be discussed during the premiers’ meetings this week.  
 
Moist says public health care took a long time to build and we could be close to losing it.  
 
“We’re only one election or one decision away from losing something that our parents generation fought for,” said Moist. “When I see the kind of rainbow coalition here today it tells me Medicare is worth fighting for. We want Canada premiers to draw strength from the unity of purpose that surrounds Medicare for all Canadians.”
 
The Council of the Federation was started in 2003 by Canada’s Premiers to create a constructive and cooperative federal system while fostering strong relations between provinces. Members are in Halifax from July 25th to the 27th and will be discussing each Province’s opinion on a range of topics including social, health and energy issues.