The issue of waiting lists in Canada’s public health care system has given rise to a new national debate: the nature of health care rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In June 2005, the Supreme Court of Canada rendered a politically controversial decision in the case of Chaoulli v. Quebec (Attorney General), finding that citizens had a right to access private health care when the public system failed to provide adequate health services. This article discusses the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision in that case, as well as its potential impact on Canada’s health care system.
[Read more…] about The Charter & Health Care in Canada2005 British Columbia General Election
British Columbia voters went to the polls on May 17, 2005, re-electing Premier Gordon Campbell’s Liberals to a second majority government, and narrowly defeating a referendum on changing the province’s electoral system. This article provides background information on the election and referendum, including the key political parties and players, election issues, information on the electoral reform proposal, as well as the results of the votes.
[Read more…] about 2005 British Columbia General Election2004 Alberta General Election
On November 22, 2004, Albertans elected the Alberta Progressive Conservative Party to a majority government, returning Ralph Klein as the province’s premier. The election represented the tenth consecutive Progressive Conservative government in Alberta; the last time another party held power was in 1971, when the Social Credit Party was in government. This article provides a summary of the 2004 Alberta General Election, including information on pre-election standing and polls, key issues in the election, leaders and platforms of the major political parties, and the election’s final results.
[Read more…] about 2004 Alberta General Election2003 Newfoundland and Labrador General Election
On October 21, 2003, voters in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador elected the provincial Progressive Conservative Party to a majority government, with Danny Williams becoming the province’s new premier. In the election, the Progressive Conservatives soundly defeated the provincial Liberal Party, which had been in government prior to the election. This article provides an overview of previous election results, pre-election party standings and polls, information on each major party’s leader and election platforms, as well as a summary of the election results.
[Read more…] about 2003 Newfoundland and Labrador General Election2003 Saskatchewan General Election
On November 5, 2003, Saskatchewan voters returned Premier Lorne Calvert and the provincial New Democratic Party to government, this time with a slight majority in the legislative assembly. The election win was the fourth consecutive victory for the NDP, and represented an improvement for the Party from the last general election in 1999. This article provides an introduction to the history, issues, party leaders and platforms, and results of the 2003 election.
[Read more…] about 2003 Saskatchewan General Election2003 Ontario General Election
On October 2, 2003, Ontario voters changed the landscape of politics in their province by electing Dalton McGuinty and the Ontario Liberal Party to government. The election results ended eight years of rule by the Progressive Conservatives, first under Premier Mike Harris, and later under Premier Ernie Eves. This article provides an overview of the history, issues, party leaders and platforms, and results of the 2003 Ontario provincial election.
[Read more…] about 2003 Ontario General Election