Hospital overcrowding, high electricity costs top pre-budget concerns: NDP

NDP Finance Critic John Vanthof is in Thunder Bay for pre-budget consultations, and said that families facing overcrowded local hospitals and sky-high hydro bills are worried that another Wynne budget means more disappointment for Thunder Bay.

“Not only are people in Thunder Bay worried that Kathleen Wynne doesn’t share their priorities, but they’re worried that they can’t count on her to keep her pre-election promises, anyway,” said Vanthof.

“Thunder Bay families still spend days waiting in the ER for a hospital bed, only to end up on a gurney in the hallway when they need emergency care. In the first week of 2018 alone, staff at a hospital built to house 375 patients were pushed to the breaking point when they suddenly had to make room for 70 more people. And, then there’s the hydro bills that are squeezing families every month, and set to go up again after the election.”

Vanthof said Wynne has had years to fix these things, but only made them much worse – leaving people to ask why they should trust her this time.

“People know that we can do so much better, and they’re looking for what comes next for Ontario. Folks are asking themselves: what kind of premier do we need to write a budget that works for people – and that we can trust to do what she promises?

“It’s time for a plan that offers hope, and a leader we can count on to deliver,” said Vanthof.

The NDP’s Andrea Horwath has been clear on her spending priorities. She’s committed to make health care a priority – tackling hallway medicine and long waits in health care with funding that, at a minimum, keeps up with inflation, population growth and the unique needs of each community. And, Horwath and the NDP have released a plan to bring Hydro One back in public hands, cutting hydro bills and giving Ontario more control over hydro rates again. She’s also committed to creating a pharmacare drug plan that covers everyone, regardless of age or income, and launching a find-and-fix public inquiry into long-term care homes and the seniors care system.