Put seniors care in election platforms, federal byelection voters tell parties

OTTAWA, Nov. 10, 2014 /CNW/ - All political parties should make seniors care a top priority in their platforms in the next federal election.

That's the verdict of the overwhelming majority of voters in the two federal byelections taking place on Nov. 17, according to a Nanos poll recently conducted in the ridings of Yellowhead and Whitby-Oshawa.

Commissioned by the Canadian Medical Association (CMA), the poll found that nine in 10 voters (89 per cent) in the two ridings believed seniors care should be part of the campaign platforms of all parties in the next federal election.

"Canada's doctors have set out to make seniors care a priority for the next federal election and it is very gratifying that our patients share this urgency," said Dr. Chris Simpson, CMA president.

"Canadians get it on the importance of seniors care and it's time politicians of all stripes got it too."

Yellowhead voters were 87.2 per cent in favour of making seniors care a top priority by the parties and 90.9 per cent were in Whitby-Oshawa.

"This poll is further evidence that what really matters to voters is their own well being and that of their loved ones whether it is health, the economy or their safety," said Nik Nanos, president of Nanos Research.

The results of the poll also had a pointed message for the federal government. Some 36 per cent of respondents in the two ridings thought Ottawa was doing a very poor job at preparing for the future health care needs of Canadians as they move into retirement. Just 22 per cent thought it was doing a good or very good job.

In both ridings, more than one respondent in two (55 per cent) said they would switch parties if the party they normally support fails to make seniors care a priority in the next election.

Currently, 5.2 million Canadians over age 65 account for almost 15 per cent of the population — and almost half of all health costs. By 2036 almost one in four Canadians will be over age 65.

Editors Note: The CMA, Unifor and the Royal Canadian Legion will be co-hosts tonight at a roundtable discussion in Whitby-Oshawa on the importance of seniors care. All byelection candidates have been invited. It will be held from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Science at 700 Gordon St., Whitby.

The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) is the national voice of Canadian physicians. Founded in 1867, the CMA is a voluntary professional organization representing more than 80,000 of Canada's physicians and comprising 12 provincial and territorial medical associations and 60 national medical organizations. CMA's mission is to serve and unite the physicians of Canada and be the national advocate, in partnership with the people of Canada, for the highest standards of health and health care.

SOURCE: Canadian Medical Association

Dominique Jolicoeur, Tel: [phone] or 1-800-663-7336 ext. 2038, Cell : 613-809-5669, [email protected]