Political Justice

Fact: With over 40 carcinogenic compounds and 400 poisons in tobacco smoke it is not surprising that annually over 45,000 deaths in Canada are tobacco related deaths
Question: Why did Allan Rock and later Ann McLellan when they both held the portfolios of justice and later Health Minister that they did not pass bills in Parliament to make it illegial not only to grow tobacco but to manufacture, distribute and sell tobacco related products- more specifically cigarettes? It is especially ironic in the case of Allan Rock who saw his sister a smoker suffer and die from lung cancer- a tobacco related cancer. Indeed in the USA were tobacco related diseases claim over 500,000 annually a secretary in the Health Department put it very succinctly "Tobacco is the only product which taken as directed- namely smoking as cigarettes- can kill you"

Fact: Health benefits and cost effectiveness of disease preventative programs have been clearly demonstrated. According to a publication by Pelletier (Amr.Health Promotion 8:50-61.1993 ) and reviewed by 2 naturopathic doctors in their textbook "Encyclopedia of Naturopathic Medicine" participants in wellness orientated programs reduce their number of days of disability by 43 %, number of days spent in a hospital by 54%, and the amount of money spent on health care by a remarkable 76%. Analysis of the Romanow report would indicate that we have a "disease care system " and not a "health care system "with emphasis on the elimination of disease rather than achieving good health. Where the physician is the "all-knowing authority" rather than "a partner" in the healing process, in many cases treating the symptoms rather than the underlying cause. The provincial Regional Health authorities and the newly established central health agency by none other than our deputy prime minister have not only added 2 additional barriers to this health delivery model but by these agencies ever expanding staff and role they have dramatically increased the cost of Canada's health care delivery system.- money as I have already indicated could more profitably be used in preventative health programs especially on life extension.
Question: When are the 2 major players in the healthcare delivery system- the government (both federal and provincial) who pay for it and the physicians and paramedical staff who render the services going to make this paradigm shift from the allopathic to the naturopathic model?
Sadly the agenda of the party leaders for the upcoming federal elections are not addressing these issues.