ONA says privatization of social programs makes no sense

An open letter penned by the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario to Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development accuses the government of abdicating responsibility for the most vulnerable in Canadian society by proposing that "social entrepeneurs" take over responsibility for social programs.

 

Finley has proposed the "harnessing of private sector capital and business practises" for social challenges like homelessness, unemployment and poverty. (media release).

 

"Nurses know that upstream policies and programs are the foundation of good health policy, good social policy and good economic policy," states the letter. "This includes policies and programs that advance people's right to a liveable income, security of housing and food, employment and decent working conditions, literacy and education, clean air and social inclusion."

 

The letter cites increased poverty rates since the 1990s as social determinants of adverse health outcomes.

 

"Urgent action is required on the part of the federal government, but the RNAO believes strongly that your proposal to abdicate the government's responsibility in the name of 'social finance' and partnering with 'social entrepeneurs' is precisely the wrong policy and program prescription," the letter states.

 

The letter compares Finley's announcement with a "hands off" approach to national health programs and standards, and the projected decreases in federal health care funding after 2017.

 

"Replicating the failed experiments of other jurisdictions with for-profit, privately-delivered social programs is irresponsible and represents a giant step backward", states the letter.  And it goes against any notion of good government as being about ensuring all persons have the same rights and that principles of equity, fairness and respect are applied evenly."

 

Full text of the letter