Rally against health care cuts planned for St. John's

The Council of Canadians is demonstrating in St. John's Monday night against cuts to federal and provincial medicare.

The nationaladvocacy group wants to put pressure on the country's premiers, who will be in St. John's later this week for their annual summer meeting.

Campaigner Michael Butler said that politicians need to reinstate a national health accord.

"What we're facing right now is the biggest challenge to medicare in Canada's history," Butler told the St. John's Morning Show.

The Canada Health Accord ended in 2014, after 10 years and $41 billion.

The dealprovided stable funding and set national goals on wait times, prescription drugs and home care.

Butler said that Newfoundland and Labrador has lost $22.4 million since the accord expired and that the Harper government is slated to cut $36 billion from healthcare over 10years.

• Canada Health Accord expires, prompting protest, uncertainty

"These are real figures that really will affect people and their livelihood," Butler said.

"The demonstration tonight is to let the premiers know it's time for some real leadership. They all know this elephant's in the room, it's time for them to step up and really address this issue and put pressure on the federal government before it's too late."

The rally takes place at 9 p.m.at the pavilion in Bannerman Park near downtownSt. John's.