On caring enough to show up

It shouldn't be a surprise given that it's the not far off the position taken by the Health Minister this fall. But here's a reminder that when it comes to defending public health care, Liberals (like their supposed adversaries in the Conservative party) can't even be bothered to appear:

The Nova Scotia Citizens' Health Care Network invited all Halifax-area political candidates to its breakfast meeting on Thursday at St. Matthews Church in the city...

Debbie Kelly, organizer of the event, said she invited the Liberals and Conservatives, but no one from the parties showed up.

"It's very disappointing because the kind of groups that were out here today are the voters, the people who are part of organizations, grassroots community people," Kelly said. "We did get some regrets but some didn't bother to answer, which is, to be honest, disgusting."

Don't worry, though, as the Liberals had at least as strong an excuse as usual:

A Liberal official said the party isn't commenting.

Apparently the Libs have taken a page out of the Cons' playbook in refusing to even show up to events which have the slightest chance of proving embarrassing. And in fairness, I'd be embarrassed to try to defend the Libs' record on health care too.

But for Nova Scotia voters who attended the event to see who's standing up for their access to health care, the Liberals' refusal to appear is only made all the worse by the lack of any explanation. And that apparent apathy is in stark contrast to the NDP, which sent two candidates to the event. Which should work wonders in helping voters decide which party will work to preserve and strengthen Canada's health care system.