May 4th, 2016

NDP demands Premier stop Northern health care crisis and restore hospital funding

During Question Period today, NDP health critic, France Gélinas called on Premier Wynne to stop continued cuts to health care in Northern Ontario where hospitals are being forced to cut patient care, while families face a health care crisis. 

“Northern Ontario has been hit hard,” Gélinas said. “Frontline workers have been laid off and beds closed across the entire north.  In Sault Ste Marie, Timmins, North Bay, Atikokan, Temiskaming Shores. The list goes on.  At the North Bay hospital, more than 300 frontline workers have been cut over the past four years. But this government doesn’t seem to care about cuts to patient care.” 

“When will the Premier stop the cuts to health care in the North – and restore stable, predictable funding for Ontario’s hospitals?,” Gélinas asked 

 

The Liberals have frozen hospital budgets for four straight years, forcing hospitals in Northern Ontario to cut jobs, beds, and patient care. 

“Northerners have a hard-enough time accessing health care.  We have some of the greatest health inequities. And the last thing we need is the Premier’s cuts to our hospitals,” Gélinas said.  “Health care in the North is the silent crisis of this Liberal government.  Patients know it. And families feel it. But the Premier refuses to listen.”

“When will the Premier stop cutting hospital care in Northern Ontario – and make sure that, at the very least, hospital funding keeps up with inflation and population growth?”