Fleming College

Renowned actor and activist Shirley Douglas gave an inspired and passionate address to students in the School of Health and Wellness, urging them to speak up to ensure Canada’s public health care system remains intact."It will be over my dead body that health care will be handed back over to the insurance companies and private corporations," she said to the 1,000 students who gathered to hear her speak at the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre on Monday, September 24.Ms. Douglas is the daughter of the late Tommy Douglas, the Saskatchewan premier who initiated Canada’s universal health care system and was recently voted the Greatest Canadian of all time. Ms. Douglas works actively with the Canada Health Coalition to protect her father’s legacy."I watched the long hard fight to get universal health care in Canada. Surely to God there are more places to make money in this country than on the backs of the sick and the injured," she said in a booming voice.Ms. Douglas took questions and listened to comments from students and staff as part of her address. Topics ranged from the shortage of hospital beds to long-term care to the threat of privatization in Canada’s health care system.Fleming School of Health and Wellness faculty member Kathryn Jarvis organized Ms. Douglas’ visit.Prior to Ms. Douglas’ address, the students watched the latest film from Michael Moore, "Sicko", which documents the privatized, for-profit health care insurance industry in the United States. In the movie, comparisons are made between the health care systems of U.S., Canada, Great Britain and France.In referencing the film, Ms. Douglas urged the students to be kind to one another. She also imparted her message of activism."If ever there was a waste of time, it’s complaining to each other. There’s always someone to go talk to (such as a political representative). Complain out loud and remember who owns this health system," she said. "It’s important for every single human being to be involved politically. We need to be a part of what’s going on."