Horwath says Chatham deserves better than Ford’s cuts

159 Chatham teachers, 68 frontline health care professionals at risk

CHATHAM – In Chatham Monday, NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said the community deserves better than Doug Ford’s $6 billion in across-the-board cuts, which would mean laying off at least 159 teachers and 68 frontline health care workers.

“In just a few days, Ontario will choose its next premier, and people are asking themselves what kind of change they want at Queen’s Park,” said Horwath. “People are realizing that they don’t have to settle for bad or worse. They don’t have to settle for cuts or deeper cuts. There’s hope that, this time, people and families can really win the election.”

“Together, we can repair our schools and keep them open. We can fix our health care system, and have dental coverage for everyone. And we know we can make life a little more affordable every month. A change for the better has never been more possible.”

Doug Ford wants to cut $6 billion from the services Chatham families depend on to pay for billions of dollars in tax breaks to wealthy corporations. Chatham families will be left on the hook. In exchange for all the deep cuts, most people will get just $18 a year on their tax returns.

Ford’s cuts would mean at least 68 workers fired at Leamington District Memorial Hospital and the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance; and at least 159 teachers fired from the Lambton Kent District School Board and the St. Clair Catholic District School Board.

Instead of cuts, Horwath’s platform includes:

• Ending hallway medicine
• Fixing seniors care
• Lowering hydro bills by 30 per cent
• Creating thousands of student co-op jobs and internships
• Providing drug and dental coverage for everyone
• Placing a moratorium on school closures
• Fixing schools and funding them properly

The NDP’s fully-costed Change for the Better platform can be found at ontariondp.ca/platform.