Thunder Bay Health Coalition Protest - CJ Goater
Protestors gathered around the province for the opening day of the Ontario Legislature, to protest the privatization of health care.
The protest was organized by the Ontario Health Coalition, with the help of local municipal health coalitions.
Jules Tupker the Co-Chair of the Thunder Bay Health Coalition explained this protest was a response to a May 26-27 referendum coordinated by the Ontario Health Coalition.
The referendum asked citizens if they were in favour of privatized hospitals. “Over 400,000 people in Ontario voted, 98% voted no to the privatization of our health care,” said Tupker.
Tupker added that Premier Doug Ford made a mistake with the Greenbelt and he is making one here with healthcare.
Kari Jefford President of the Unifor Health Care Council highlighted that privatization will cost the average citizen “A public system is a fraction of the cost. Where you privatize those systems or pieces of health care, it becomes very expensive.”
Privatization of Ontario health care became a concern following Bill 60 the Your Health Act receiving Royal Assent (passing of the bill in the Ontario Legislature).
The main goal of the bill was to assist in the reduction of hospital wait times by allowing clinics to perform similar services, but ultimately according to healthcare professionals present at protests throughout Ontario, there is a risk Bill 60 causes staffing shortages.
The expansion of private healthcare opportunities could lead to doctors heading to the private sector, thus negatively impacting public healthcare.
