New investments needed in mental health services, Fluri says

The NDP Nipissing-Timiskaming candidate reports on his recent discussions with a local activist.

Further information is included in the following news release issued by Dave Fluri:

Dave Fluri, NDP candidate in Nipissing-Timiskaming, met today with Mickey King, chairwoman of the North Bay Health Coalition.

After their discussions, Fluri expressed concern for the future of quality, affordable health care in the riding. King is a mental health worker in the local community.

"What impressed me most about my meeting with Ms. King is the depth of her passion on health issues. She tells frightening tales of the mentally ill being relegated to sub-standard housing and generally being marginalized in a society which focuses on the treatment of physical ailments but often leaves the mentally ill without adequate services," said Fluri.

"Although the Canada Health Act makes reference to mental health services, we seldom hear stories about chronic under-funding and lack of support."

"I want to thank Dave for requesting a meeting with me and for taking the initiative to inform himself on mental health issues," said King.

"I'd invite other candidates to speak with mental health workers to become similarly informed."

"The federal government needs to make new investments now, in mental health services," said Fluri.

"When Paul Martin was Finance Minister, he made the largest cuts to health transfers in history. While he was doing that, the Conservatives sat on the sidelines and criticized him for not cutting fast enough. Now, after eight consecutive years of surpluses in the federal treasury, we need to restore funding for services, not make tax cuts to benefit the wealthy."