NDP focused on schools, long-term care, and creating more, better jobs for working folks

Horwath lays out priorities for the fall session

QUEEN’S PARK – When MPPs return to Queen’s Park on Monday, the NDP will be fighting for action to stop the rise in COVID-19 infections, and to deliver a recovery that prioritizes everyday people. Official Opposition Leader Andrea Horwath said New Democrats will fight for smaller, safer classes, an overhaul to long-term care, and a plan to create more stable, well-paying jobs.

“This pandemic took advantage of the gaps in underfunded services, including long-term care and our children’s schools,” said Horwath. “Cuts to education, long-term care and public health undermined the things that families needed to be safe. If I were premier today, I’d be doing the opposite — hiring thousands of teachers, education workers and nursing home staff to battle back against COVID-19, and protect the people we love.”

Horwath said she’ll push for changes that not only restore services and jobs, but improve them. The NDP Leader has been fighting for a new system for long-term care — a permanent end to the dangerous understaffing, neglect, low quality-of-life and profit-making offered by the largely privatized system Ontario has today. Now she plans to release an updated Save Main Street plan to push for the creation of more, well-paying, stable jobs.

“Returning to normal is not good enough,” said Horwath. “We’re going to lay out plans that are focused on helping average folks thrive, including a real job-creation plan. Now, more than ever, Ontario needs to create better jobs – the kind of stable, well-paying jobs people can raise a family on.

“People deserve action that doesn’t just piece together some of what they lost. They deserve more security and better services than they had before the pandemic.”