South Shore Election Candidates to Debate Health and Inequality

HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA--(Marketwired - Sept. 14, 2015) - The Nova Scotia Citizens' Health Care Network is hosting a debate for all Federal Election Candidates running in the South Shore-St. Margaret's riding. The debate will focus on health and inequality, and include questions on poverty, privatization, health care for refugees, women's health and more.

"No issue is more important than health - our own health and the health of our communities. We've invited each candidate to discuss and debate their vision for a healthier South Shore and a healthier Canada," said James Hutt, Provincial Coordinator of the Health Coalition.

"It's also a fantastic opportunity for voters to ask hard questions and bring the issues that matter most to them."

The candidates are Alex Godbold, NDP; Bernadette Jordan, Liberal; and Richard Biggar, Green Party. The Health Coalition invited all 4 candidates in the riding back in July, but the Conservative candidate, Richard Clark, declined the invitation last week.

Dave Stephens, the News Director of Lighthousenow, will moderate the event.

According to Hutt, hundreds of Nova Scotians have already pledged to vote for public health care online at the Health Coalitions' website: www.votepublichealthcare.ca. The website provides information on key issues and a number of ways for voters to take action, including taking a lawn sign. Health Coalition supporters have been busy putting up lawn signs for public health care around the riding.

Yet despite how important the issue is to voters, politicians have been quiet about it. "We're working to change that" said Hutt.

"Every time someone pledges online, each candidate in their riding receives an email. Plus, we're putting up lawn signs and going door to door with local teams to get people talking about health care and pushing all parties to do more to improve it."

The debate will take place from 1-2:30 pm, with the final 30 minutes taking questions from the audience. The debate follows the Nova Scotia Health Coalition's annual general meeting, from 10 am until noon at the same location. Both events are free and open to the public.

All-Candidates Debate: Health & Inequality

1-2:30 pm Sunday, September 20^th

Best Western Bridgewater, 527 Highway 10 Exit 12

Bridgewater, NS

Free.

About the Nova Scotia Citizen's Health Care Network

Formed in 1996, the Nova Scotia Citizens' Health Care Network's goal is to stop the privatization of the public health care system, ensure high levels of care, and create a forum for people and communities to discuss issues in health care.

The Network is a coalition of local health committees, community groups, organized labour, faith groups, women's organizations, students, and individuals dedicated to protecting and extending public health care to include services like pharmacare, dental care, long-term care, mental health care and home care.

The Network is political but non-partisan and receives no government funding.