As Canadians, we are rightly proud of our health care system. In 2004, the “Father of Medicare,” Saskatchewan politician and visionary Tommy Douglas, was crowned in a CBC poll as the Greatest Canadian, and more than a decade later, he and the system he helped create continue to define Canada. More than a set of interlocking provincial and territorial health insurance programs, Medicare has become the highest expression of Canadians caring for one another.1 Our public health care system touches us at all stages of life: from the day we were born, attended by doctors, nurses, and midwives; through our infancy, with the immunizations and check-ups our primary healthcare team gave us then; through our adult years, when we were supported by emergency care and regular appointments at the family doctor; and to the last days of our lives, when medical professionals will provide us with compassion and empathy in palliative care.

As we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, the flaws in our healthcare system have become glaringly obvious. Each wave of the pandemic reignites concerns about the state of long-term care homes and renews existing calls to improve our healthcare system.

Within a few months, COVID-19 has imposed a global economic shock the like of which hasn’t been seen since the Great Depression. The particular nature of this crisis, a pandemic with no certain end, sets it apart from other economic downturns. It forced an ultimatum: shut down the economy and most social activities in order to buy time and eventually manage the virus or suffer a much deeper and longer economic depression with a tragically high death count.

Join us via zoom on October 20th from 1-2pm EDT the 2020 Ellen Meiksins Wood Lecture. This free event will feature a conversation with renowned trade union leader Leo Gerard. 

One of the most influential labour advocates in modern history, Leo’s career as a strong voice for working people began on the shop floor of the Inco nickel smelter in Sudbury and recently concluded with his retirement as the long-time International President of the United Steelworkers, the largest private sector union in North America. He also held a number of significant positions in the international labour movement including Vice President of the AFL-CIO and as Co-Founder of Workers Uniting – The Global Union. 

The title of the lecture is "My fight for democracy: Reflections on 50 years of union activism".

Register for the event today!