Key Issues Index

RELEASE & STATEMENT: Statement in Support of the Protests Against Anti-Black Racism & Police Brutality

(June 5, 2020) Anti-Black Racism is a Public Health Crisis…and Much More We are at an historic crossroads for democracy, human rights and social justice in the United States and here in Canada also. Across Canada and the United States, and around the world, health sector organizations are declaring anti-Black racism a public health crisis. […]

RELEASE & REPORT: Death Toll Among Patients, Residents and Staff in Health Care Settings up 18.4% in 2 weeks: OHC Tracking Numbers Still Growing But More Slowly

(June 5, 2020) Toronto – Since the week of March 12, the Ontario Health Coalition has been tracking all people who have been infected with COVID-19 in outbreaks in health care settings including hospitals, long-term care, retirement homes, public health units, clinics and congregate care settings, as well as among other health professionals such as […]

REPORT: Tracking of COVID-19 Outbreaks in Health Care Settings – Data Updated to June 2

(June 5, 2020) Click here for full version of the health care outbreaks report with a list of all outbreaks. A summary of the report can be found below. ——- Introduction Each number included in this tracking data represents a human being who is loved and who has experienced the terrible toll of COVID-19: staff […]

REPORT: New Report on COVID-19 Outbreaks in Health Settings – Data Updated to May 19

(June 2, 2020) Click here for full version of the health care outbreaks report with a list of all outbreaks. A summary of the report can be found below. Introduction Each number included in this tracking data represents a human being who is loved and who has experienced the terrible toll of COVID-19: staff who […]

RELEASE & BRIEFING NOTE: Fact Check & Briefing Note on Inspections in Ontario’s Long-Term Care Homes

(May 29, 2020) Toronto – The Ontario Health Coalition, which has advocated for more than two decades for annual unannounced full resident quality inspections of all long-term care homes, issued a fact checker to clarify what has happened with the homes’ inspection and enforcement regimen. The following are the facts as released today by the […]

RELEASE: Military Report on Conditions in Ontario’s Long-Term Care Homes: “Beyond Frustrated” Health Coalition Calls on Ford Government to Implement Repeated Recommendations to Improve Access to PPE, Workplace Safety and Infection Control

(May 26, 2020) Toronto – The Ontario Health Coalition, which has released major reports annually on the state of long-term care in Ontario in recent years, expressed its frustration upon reading the description of infection control practices at the facilities to which military personnel were dispatched. The Coalition has called on the Ford government repeatedly […]

OPEN LETTER: Open Letter to Premier Doug Ford to Call for an Independent Inquiry on Long-Term Care

(May 25, 2020) We are inviting organizations to sign onto the following open letter. We are on a tight timeline and would appreciate hearing back from organizations with your approval to be added as soon as possible. Please email us at ohc@sympatico.ca with your clear approval and the full name of your organization. For individuals […]

RELEASE: Inquiry into Long-Term Care & COVID-19 Cannot Preclude Immediate Actions that are Needed, Must be Independent and Transparent: Health Coalition

(May 19, 2020) Toronto – The Ontario Health Coalition, which has called for a full public commission or inquiry into the province’s response to COVID-19, responded to the Ford government’s announcement today supporting an independent commission or inquiry into long-term care, with some caveats. The Coalition called for the commission into long-term care to be […]

REPORT: COVID-19 outbreaks in health settings almost doubled, death toll up by 333.7% – Data updated to May 5

(May 12, 2020) Click here for full version of the health care outbreaks report found below. Each number included in this tracking data represents a human being who is loved and who has experienced the terrible toll of COVID-19: staff who have gone to work despite the risk and the fear; residents and patients who […]

RELEASE & REPORT: Staff & Patients Infected by COVID-19 Outbreaks in Health Care Settings Almost Doubled, Death Toll increased by 333.7 % in 2-weeks: Outbreaks are Not Under Control

(May 12, 2020) Toronto – By every measure COVID-19 outbreaks in health and congregate care settings, including hospitals, long term care, retirement homes, public health units and clinics are increasing dramatically, reported the Ontario Health Coalition today as it released its most recent data tracking 7,894 staff, patients and residents infected. The report, COVID-19 UPDATE: […]

RELEASE & ANALYSIS: COVID-19 Death Rates in Ontario Long-Term Care Homes Significantly Higher and Increasing in For-Profit Homes vs. Non-Profit and Publicly-Owned Homes: New Data Analysis

(May 6, 2020) Toronto – A new analysis released today by the Ontario Health Coalition shows a significantly higher death rate as a result of COVID-19 in long-term care homes that are owned by for-profit corporations as compared to non-profit and public (municipal) homes. The research, done by Rabbi Shalom Schachter, LL.B., executive member of […]

EVENT: Online Day of Action to Fix Long-Term Care This Friday!

(April 30, 2020) Join us for an online Day of Action to Fix Long-Term Care! [See event details and RSVP on the Ontario Health Coalition Facebook event here!] Join the online Day of Action to Fix Long-Term Care This Friday COVID-19 is spreading exponentially in Ontario’s long-term care homes. The homes already suffered critical staffing shortages […]

RELEASE: COVID-19 numbers still escalating in a “devastating” way in Ontario’s long-term care homes: Health Coalition calls a Day of Action to press Ford government for more concrete measures to stop the spread and stabilize the sector

(April 30, 2020) Toronto – As the Ontario Health Coalition is completing the gargantuan task of updating its tracking of the spread of COVID-19 in health care settings that now encompasses thousands of staff, patients and residents, it is reporting that the infectious disease continues its devastation through long-term care and retirement homes. The Coalition […]

RESOURCES: What are our governments doing and how do they compare? COVID-19 federal and provincial support resources

(April 29, 2020) Click here for printable version of the comprehensive list found below. —— Here is a comprehensive list of Federal and Provincial Support available for individuals who are experiencing income loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If you scroll down you will find information and contact information for the supports as they apply […]

UPDATE: Hospital and Long-Term Care Health Care Workers & Long-Term Care Residents Infected with COVID-19 – Data updated to April 21

(April 23, 2020) Click here for full version of the health care outbreaks report found below. Compiling this list has been a heartbreaking task and we must pause to recognize the real human toll of COVID-19 — patients, residents, staff and families who are affected– you are in our hearts and we send you our […]

RELEASE: COVID-19 Outbreaks Have Grown Exponentially In Health Care Settings: Health Coalition tracking report finds 3,783 people infected and 435 patients/residents/staff deceased

(April 23, 2020) Today, the Ontario Health Coalition released a 70-page report tracking 1,127 confirmed staff, 1,936 residents/ patients and 720 additional confirmed cases (for whom public health authorities did not specify whether they are health care staff or patients) for a total of 3,783 people who have been infected with COVID-19 in health care […]

RELEASE: Action Plan to Stop the Spread of COVID-19 in Long-Term Care Inadequate: Ford government must match rhetoric with stronger, concrete measures to protect residents and staff

(April 16, 2020) Toronto – The Ford government’s Action Plan to address COVID-19 outbreaks in Ontario’s long-term care homes is still less than what is needed stop the spread of the virus and stabilize the workforce, warned the Ontario Health Coalition today, and is inconsistent with the “iron ring” rhetoric and promises for widespread testing […]

CALL TO ACTION: Stop the Spread of COVID-19 in Long-Term Care

Long-term care deaths from COVID-19 now account for almost half of all of Ontario’s deceased. The numbers of staff and residents who have tested positive is escalating at a devastating pace. Following an emergency meeting of the Ontario Health Coalition long-term care committee including family councils, unions, health professionals, seniors’ advocates and experts on long-term […]

ANALYSIS & RESPONSE: New Directive and Guidelines for COVID-19 in Long-Term Care Homes Inadequate: Coalition Calls for Full Testing, Better Access to PPE, Respect for Human Rights in Care

(April 9, 2020) Long-term care deaths from COVID-19 now account for almost half of all of Ontario’s deceased, according to the provincial data on infections. The numbers of staff and residents who have tested positive is escalating at a devastating pace. Following an emergency meeting of the Ontario Health Coalition long-term care committee including family […]

UPDATE: Hospital and Long-Term Care Health Care Workers & Long-Term Care Residents Infected with COVID-19 – Data updated to April 7

(April 7, 2020) Click here for full version of the health care outbreaks report found below. Compiling this list has been a heartbreaking task and we must start by recognizing the people affected by the outbreaks– patients, residents, staff of all classifications — you are in our hearts and we send you our very best […]

UPDATE: Hospital and Long-Term Care Health Care Workers & Long-Term Care Residents Infected with COVID-19 – Data updated to April 2

(April 2, 2020) Click here for full version of the health care outbreaks report found below. The following lists the public reports that we have found regarding hospital staff and patient infections and long-term care staff and resident outbreaks. All our best wishes and hopes go to them and their families and to all Ontarians […]

RELEASE: COVID-19 Spreading in Hospitals and Long-Term Care Homes: Updated List & Call for Ford Government to Take More Concrete Action

(April 2, 2020) The Ontario Health Coalition, which has been tracking and posting confirmed cases of COVID-19 in health care settings since the third week of March, released its latest update with new outbreaks in hospitals and long-term care. The Coalition has tracked 198 of the 226 confirmed cases among health care staff reported by […]

RELEASE: COVID-19 Roundup: Health Workers/LTC Residents Infected, Government Supports & Relief Measures

(April 2, 2020) A printable version of the COVID-19 roundup can be found here. ———- We have gathered the following information (sources are included) for your information. This round up includes: List of COVID-19 Assessment Centres in Ontario Number of cases/status in Ontario List of hospital and long-term care health care workers & long-term care […]

UPDATE: Hospital and Long-Term Care Health Care Workers & Long-Term Care Residents Infected with COVID-19 – Data updated to March 30

(March 31, 2020) Click here for full version of the health care outbreaks report found below. The following lists the public reports that we have found regarding hospital staff and long-term care staff and residents that have tested positive, as of March 30. All our best wishes and hopes go to them and their families […]

RELEASE: Why Are So Few Ontarians Being Tested and Tracked? Health Coalition Raises Questions About COVID-19 Numbers

(March 31, 2020) Around the world, stories are emerging from jurisdictions that have done thorough testing and tracking of COVID-19 cases. There is a deep consensus that more testing and tracking can be a key component of reducing the transmission of the virus. Indeed, on February 24, the World Health Organization recommended countries outside China […]

ANALYSIS: Key Message & Quick Analysis of Ford Government Economic Statement Just Released

(March 25, 2020) Ontario’s government released its economic statement today. Overall, they are providing $3.3 billion for health care, another $3.7 billion in supports for people and businesses, and $10 billion for other deferrals and tax “relief”. Health Coalition key message: The overall funding announcement for health care of $3.3 billion amounts to a funding […]

RELEASE & BACKGROUNDER: Pre-budget brief: Ontario so far behind that emergency funding just brings us to where we should have been pre-COVID-19

(March 25, 2020) In advance of the Ford government’s economic statement being released this afternoon, the Ontario Health Coalition released an analysis of the numbers to date to give some context to the announcements that are being made regarding COVID-19 health care funding as follows: “We believe that governments are beginning to flow resources and […]

RELEASE: COVID-19 Roundup: Health Workers/LTC Residents Infected, Government Supports & Relief Measures

(March 24, 2020) A printable version of the COVID-19 roundup can be found here. ———- We have gathered the following information (sources are included) for your information. This round up includes: List of COVID-19 Assessment Centres in Ontario Number of cases/status in Ontario List of hospital and long-term care health care workers & long-term care […]

RELEASE: Health Coalitions’ Joint Statement on COVID-19 and Public Health Care

(March 24, 2020) Please find below an urgent call upon governments at every level in Canada to build capacity in the public health care, expand equity, and resist privatization in the face of COVID-19 from Provincial, Territorial and National Health Coalitions representing more than a million Canadians. Printable version is attached below. Deeply concerned about […]

RELEASE: Residents Plan to Step Up Pressure to Ask MPP Fedeli to Save the North Bay Hospital’s Residential Addictions Treatment Program

(March 11, 2020) North Bay – About 40 people attended a public meeting last night to plan next steps to save the North Bay hospital’s residential addictions treatment program and committed to ratcheting up the pressure to ask MPP the Honourable Vic Fedeli to step in and stop the closure. The next step will be […]

RELEASE & BACKGROUNDER: Ford Government’s Home Care Changes Dismantle Public Control, Risk Privatization

(March 5, 2020) Toronto – In a press conference at the Ontario Legislature today, spokespeople for the Ontario Health Coalition raised concerns about the Ford government’s new home care legislation that the Health Coalition reported is being rushed through the legislature at break-neck speed. The Bill, Connecting People to Home and Community Care Act 2020, […]

ANALYSIS: Analysis of the North Bay Mayor’s Roundtable Report

(February 10, 2020) North Bay — This is a very quick initial review and analysis of the Mayor’s Roundtable Report. This is the report that ostensibly led to the decision to cut 31 crisis and residential treatment beds from the North Bay Regional Health Centre (NBRHC). It is still not clear who made this “decision”, […]

REPORT: Review of the Plan to Close More than Half of the Existing Residential Addiction Treatment Beds and Hospital Crisis/Safe Beds from North Bay Regional Health Centre

(February 6, 2020) In September, North Bay mayor Al McDonald Mayor convened a meeting of organizations to discuss addictions, homelessness, mental health and poverty issues in North Bay. Out of that round table meeting and under the authorization of the North East Local Health Integration Network (NE LHIN), the government-appointed body responsible for regional health […]

RELEASE & BACKGROUNDER: Province Ignored Repeated Warnings and Evidence Leading to Yesterday’s Declaration of “State of Emergency” in Brampton Hospital, Similar Issues Apply Across Ontario

(January 24, 2020) Following the city’s declaration of a health care emergency in Brampton, on the heels of CBC’s release of new hospital overcrowding data, the Ontario Health Coalition revealed repeated warnings and reports from the District Health Council, thousands of Brampton residents, the Ontario Health Coalition and other groups showing that the community’s hospital […]

RELEASE: New CBC Hospital Overcrowding Data Should Compel Much More Substantive & Urgent Response from Ford Government: Health Coalition

(January 22, 2020) Toronto – Responding to the CBC’s release of new Ontario hospital overcrowding data that shows the majority of the province’s hospitals have been operating at gravely unsafe levels of overcrowding for more than a month out of the most recent six months measured, the Ontario Health Coalition reported that the data should […]

SUBMISSION: Ontario Health Coalition’s Pre-Budget Submission to the Ontario Legislative Assembly

(January 17, 2020) Natalie Mehra, Executive Director of the Ontario Health Coalition, presented to the Ontario Legislature’s Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs today. Here is the Ontario Health Coalition’s pre-budget submission. It contains updated data on public health care funding in Ontario (2nd lowest rate in Canada); public hospital funding in Ontario (lowest in […]

REPORT: Caring in Crisis: Ontario’s Long-Term Care PSW Shortage

(December 9, 2019) Toronto – The Ontario Health Coalition released a new report today developed in partnership with UNIFOR on the Personal Support Worker (PSW) crisis in Ontario’s long-term care homes. In a press conference at the Ontario Legislature, Natalie Mehra, Executive Director of the Health Coalition, noted that we chose the word “crisis” carefully. […]

UPDATE: Mounting Health Care Cuts

List of the Ford government health care cuts to date: Cut OHIP+ so families with sick children will have to seek private coverage first and pay deductibles and co-payments (June 2018). Cut planned mental health funding by more than $330 million per year (July 2018). Cancelled all new planned overdose prevention sites. (Autumn 2018). Cut […]

RELEASE: Health Coalition & Broad Array of Groups Launch Campaign to Build Mass “Stadium-filling” Event to Save Local Health Care Services

(October 10, 2019) Chatham/S/W Ontario – Groups from Chatham Kent and across Southwestern Ontario are coming together to build an event that cannot be ignored. Their goal is to save the local Public Health Units and ambulance services from closure and protect their local governance. The groups are also advocating to stop funding cuts to […]

UPDATE: Mounting Health Care Cuts

An updated version of this list can be found here. List of the Ford government health care cuts to date: ● Cut OHIP+ so families with sick children will have to seek private coverage first and pay deductibles and co-payments. (June 2018) ● Cut planned mental health funding by more than $330 million. (July 2018) […]

BRIEFING NOTE: Key Issues in Long-Term Care + Public Inquiry Recommendations

(July 31, 2019) Wettlaufer Inquiry into Ontario long-term care underlines need for improved care levels not cuts Toronto – The Elizabeth Wettlaufer murders were terrible human tragedies and our heartfelt condolences go to the families of the victims, said the Ontario Health Coalition today, on the occasion of the release of the report from Ontario’s […]

RELEASE: Ford Government Cuts to Long-Term Care Funding Risk Already Over-Stressed Care Levels

(July 10, 2019) Toronto — The Ontario Health Coalition raises concerns about the Ford government’s funding cuts to long-term care. The Ontario Health Coalition has been made aware that level of care funding has experienced significant real dollar cuts. The per diem rate has been increased by 1%, which does not meet the rate of […]

BRIEFING NOTE: Ontario Health Coalition Briefing Note on Ontario Cabinet Shuffle: Deep Concerns about Ideological Positions of New Minister of Long-Term Care & Associate Minister of Mental Health & Addictions

(June 21, 2019) Toronto – In his press conference announcing the cabinet shuffle, Premier Doug Ford claimed that more than 80 percent of his platform had been implemented. The Health Coalition notes that nothing could be further than the truth when it comes to health care. The Coalition also raised concerns about the pro-privatization, anti-public health […]

RELEASE: Ford Governments Health Cuts Negatively Impact Patient Care: Coalition Calls Out Ford Government for “Dissembling” and Lack of Public Accountability

(June 19, 2019) Toronto – In what the Health Coalition has termed a bad news day for Ontario’s health care, the Ford government revealed that it has eliminated more than 800 full-time equivalent positions in the LHINs (Local Health Integration Network) and in the six health care agencies (including Cancer Care Ontario, Health Quality Ontario, […]

BRIEFING NOTE: List of local hospital and health services cuts/mergers/privatization

(May 30, 2019) Cut over 120 full time equivalent staff including nurses, health professionals and patient support staff from Sudbury’s Health Sciences North. After protests by the public and the Health Coalition some of the cuts were rolled back but significant cuts continued nonetheless. (November 2018) Privatized lab service, transcription, and patient transportation; outsourced microbiology […]

RELEASE: Ontario Health Coalition Statement on Today’s Mental Health Funding Announcement by Ford Government

(May 6, 2019) Toronto – Today the Ford government announced mental health funding that appears had previously been announced, and in any case is actually a cut to planned mental health funding. This is being reported by the media as if it is an increase and as if it is new money without any critical analysis. […]

RELEASE: More than 10,000 Protest to tell Ford Government to stop health privatization, cuts

(May 1, 2019) Toronto – They came from across Ontario in the middle of a work day by the thousands with a message for the Doug Ford government. From a stage in front of the Ontario Legislature Natalie Mehra, executive director of the Ontario Health Coalition called on the crowd of more than 10,000 to […]

UPDATE: 13++ Reasons to Come to the Giant Health Care Rally!

Doug Ford made cuts to OHIP+ and families with sick children now need to seek private insurance and pay deductibles and co-payments on medications for their sick children. Doug Ford cut planned mental health funding by more than $330 million! Doug Ford canceled ALL new planned overdose prevention sites. Doug Ford cut over $700,000 in […]

RELEASE: Unprecedented Health Action Day Calls on Doug Ford to Halt Health Privatization Plans

Toronto – For the first time, more than 150,000 health professionals, nurses, support workers, doctors and tens of thousands of patient advocates are joining together in a Health Action Day, unified in their deep concern that the Ford government intends unprecedented health care privatization. In hospitals and other health facilities tens of thousands will wear […]

RELEASE: Ford’s ambulance and public health cuts and restructuring come with high costs, reduced services: Coalition warns

(April 18, 2019) Toronto – It has been done before and it resulted in enormous costs, not savings, and it compromised services. This was the message of the Ontario Health Coalition in reaction to the growing array of health care services that the Doug Ford government plans to restructure and cut. The Coalition released their […]

URGENT UPDATE: Undeniable signals Doug Ford intends major health care privatization

(April 18, 2019) Toronto – The signals that Doug Ford intends major health care privatization, restructuring and cuts have become undeniable: if you care about health care for all it is time to come out. Cuts: The Ontario Budget contains bad news for health care. Cuts are coming. Overall health funding increases are less than […]

RELEASE: Budget Health Care Briefing: What is being Cut, Myth Buster, What is Coming

(April 11, 2019) Toronto – In anticipation of this afternoon’s budget the Ontario Health Coalition provided a budget health care briefing for Ontarians. The Coalition will issue an update after the budget is released. “There have been a lot of re-announcements and PR spin to cover for what is the leading edge of the most […]

RELEASE, ANALYSIS & BRIEFING NOTE: Health Care Omnibus Bill Sets Up Ontario for Health System Mega-Mergers & Privatization: Worse than the Leaked Draft, Health Coalition Warns

(Updated: April 1, 2019) Click here for our submission to the Standing Committee on Social Policy regarding Bill 74 (April 2019) Click here for update on health omnibus bill hearings (March 2019) Click here for printable version of health omnibus bill briefing note (March 2019) Click here for printable version of health omnibus bill media […]

VIDEO: Doug Ford and Health Minister Christine Elliott obfuscate questions on health privatization

Analysis Watch as Doug Ford and Health Minister Christine Elliott sidestep the opposition leader, Andrea Horwath’s, question in the legislature on whether private for-profit health corporations will play a role in Bill 74, the new health care legislation. The Ford government repeatedly refuses to disavow for-profit privatization of our public health care system. It is […]

URGENT UPDATE: FORD GOV’T SWEEPING HEALTH CARE RESTRUCTURING BILL

Ford government gives 2-days notice for public hearings to be in Toronto only The new health care law that the Ford government is pushing through has been “time allocated” for public hearings. That means that the Ford Conservatives have limited the time for public hearings. We have been asking for broad public hearings on this […]

EVENTS: Town Hall Meetings

(March 22, 2019) The Ford government is proposing massive restructuring to hospitals, long-term care, home care, community care, mental health, etc. The new legislation, which has been forged with no public consultation whatsoever, will take away local control of health care services. Protect our local health care services from mega-mergers and privatization. Town Hall Meetings – Locations, […]

RELEASE: Ford Government is Steamrolling Health Restructuring Law Through in “Outrageously Undemocratic” Process Warns Health Coalition: Local Services at Risk

(March 18, 2019) The Ontario Health Coalition expressed outrage at the process by which the Ford government is rushing their new sweeping health care restructuring legislation through and is demanding public hearings across Ontario. In the new law, the Ford government has given itself new powers to order the privatization of health care services, along […]

VIDEO: Better health care through innovation “The Agenda, March 4, 2019”

Natalie Mehra, executive director of the Ontario Health Coalition, joined a health care panel on The Agenda with Steve Paikin. A video of the panel can be found below. Analysis Click here for original video

BLOG POST: Protect Our Local Health Care from Mega-mergers & Privatization

(February 14, 2019) What you will find on this page: Submission to the Standing Committee How to contact Doug Ford and your MPP What is the new health legislation? Urgent updates Health Care Cuts BLOG POST: Mounting health care cuts RELEASE: Ford’s ambulance and public health cuts and restructuring comes with high costs, reduced services: […]

RELEASE: Warning that Leaked Health Care Omnibus Bill Would Create Health Care Chaos: Longstanding Leaders of Organizations Representing Patients, Care Workers, Doctors

Academic leaders, democracy advocates, patient advocates, front-line care workers and doctors are all speaking with one voice when it comes to the leaked health care omnibus bill that has secretly been planned by the Ford government for months: if passed, it would cause health care chaos that will last for years. Speaking at a Queen’s […]

RELEASE: Leaked Draft Health Care Legislation a “Gargantuan Nightmare Scenario”: Community and Labour Groups Join Forces for Major Fightback

(February 1, 2019) Analysis Calling it a “bombshell”: the Ontario Health Coalition and the Ontario Federation of Labour responded to a leaked document revealing a draft health care legislation written by the Ford government in secret that would create a “super agency” with extraordinary powers to restructure Ontario’s entire health care system. The Ontario NDP […]

RELEASE: Leaked omnibus health bill goes far beyond merging the LHINs

posted February 1, 2019

(February 1, 2019) Preliminary analysis reveals new unprecedented powers to order privatization and contracting out, mega-mergers and the elimination of public interest provisions in LHIN legislation By: Natalie Mehra, executive director Many of you will have heard about the new health care legislation drafted in secret by the Ford government and revealed to the […]

BLOG POST: Ford Government Health Care Report Not a Prescription for a Cure: Coalition Takes Serious Issue with Devlin’s Claims

(January 31, 2019) Toronto — Rueben Devlin’s report was released today with the central communications headline from the Ford government that more hospital beds will not solve hallway medicine. This is politically and factually untrue, warned the Ontario Health Coalition. Mr. Devlin is the former CEO of Humber River Regional Hospital, where, under his leadership, […]

RELEASE: Health Coalition Extremely Concerned About LHIN Restructuring Rumours

(January 24, 2019) Health Coalition Extremely Concerned About LHIN Restructuring Rumours Toronto – Following the story that broke on CBC news this morning revealing rumours that Ontario’s fourteen local health integration networks (LHINs) will be restructured into five the Ontario Health Coalition has raised questions about the Ford government’s intentions regarding this restructuring rumour. The […]

REPORT Situation Critical: Planning, Access, Levels of Care and Violence in Ontario’s Long-Term Care

(January 24, 2019) The Ontario Health Coalition’s new report, “Situation Critical: Planning, Access, Levels of Care and Violence in Ontario’s Long-Term Care”. The report was inspired by increasingly frequent complaints by families and care workers of violence in long-term care homes (nursing homes). In its research, the Health Coalition found what it describes as “shocking” […]

RELEASE: Ontario Health Coalition releases new report SITUATION CRITICAL – HOMICIDE AND VIOLENCE IN ONTARIO’S LONG-TERM CARE HOMES

(January 19, 2019) Analysis “Intolerable” levels of violence and homicide spark renewed call for improved care standards in Ontario’s long-term care: new report Toronto—In a Queen’s Park press conference today the Ontario Health Coalition launched a 30-community tour of a new report, “Situation Critical: Planning, Access, Levels of Care and Violence in Ontario’s Long-Term Care”. […]

Open Letter

This letter calls upon our provincial, territorial and federal Health Ministers to uphold the Canada Health Act and stop private clinics extra billing and charging two-tier user fees to the patient for health care. Click here to read the letter in English and sign on. Click here to see the full list of organizations that […]

RELEASE: Thousands Demand Doug Ford Disavow Health Care Privatization and Cuts – Other Political Parties Respond Positively to Coalition’s Demand for Services to be Rebuilt & Restored

(October 23, 2018) Thousands Demand Doug Ford Disavow Health Care Privatization and Cuts, Other Political Parties Respond Positively to Coalition’s Demand for Services to be Rebuilt & Restored Toronto – “Hands Off Our Health Care” chanted a capacity crowd of an estimated 8,000 people who joined hands and encircled Queen’s Park today at the largest […]

RELEASE: Doug Ford’s planned cuts to provincial revenues on top of paying down deficit irresponsible and damaging: Health Coalition, September 21, 2018

(September 21, 2018) Reacting to Finance Minister Vic Fedeli’s speech today, the Ontario Health Coalition warned that dramatic cuts to provincial revenues planned by the Doug Ford government will be devastating if they are not stopped, and questioned why the government would pursue these cuts in light of their decision to choose a high deficit. […]

BRIEFING NOTE: Gordon Campbell – Canada’s Arch Health Care Privateer and Author of the Worst Cuts in B.C.’s History, September 20, 2018

(September 20, 2018) Briefing Note Gordon Campbell – Canada’s Arch Health Care Privateer and Author of the Worst Cuts in B.C.’s History Not only does he have an abysmal record on financial matters, but former B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell, whom Doug Ford appointed to lead the Independent Financial Commission of Inquiry in Ontario, is perhaps […]

WASH, WEAR, and CARE – Clothing and Laundry in Long-Term Residential Care Pat Armstrong and Suzanne Day; McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2017.

WASH, WEAR, and CARE – Clothing and Laundry in Long-Term Residential Care Pat Armstrong and Suzanne Day; McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2017. Book review by Lynn Spink WASH, WEAR, and CARE summarizes research that uses laundry & clothing in Long-term Residential Care homes (nursing homes) as a way to explore larger questions about care and how […]

JOINT STATEMENT: Pls sign the Joint Statement Calling for Improvements in Access and Care in Ontario’s Long Term Care Homes

We asking organizations to sign onto the following Joint Statement to improve care levels and access to care in Ontario’s long-term care homes. If your organization would like to sign onto the Joint Statement, please send an email to the Ontario Health Coalition at ohc@sympatico.ca using the subject line: LTC JOINT STATEMENT. Please include your […]

RELEASE: Ontario Election 2018 Health Care Resources

Click on each heading for Ontario election resources: **New Leaflet inside (note: if printing use legal size paper) Leaflet outside (note: if printing used legal size paper) Election Platform- top issues and “asks” for our political parties Media Release Provincial Election Platform release Health Care Questions for Candidates All Candidates’ Meetings Media coverage of Health […]

RELEASE: $22 billion in cuts to funding for public services planned by Mr. Ford, worse than Harris, we are “extremely worried”

posted June 3, 2018

By Natalie Mehra, Executive Director Many Ontarians are captured by the idea of getting the same or more services for less money. But few know what the numbers might actually mean. Since Doug Ford did not release a clear platform, Ontarians know more about how much a beer may cost if the Conservative leader is […]

RELEASE: Coalition Takes to the Street in Effort to Save Hospital Services in the City of Windsor

Coalition Takes to the Street in Effort to Save Hospital Services in the City of Windsor (June 1, 2018) Toronto – At the Windsor Regional Hospital, Ouellette Campus, advocates of saving hospital services in the city of Windsor displayed lawn signs that are popping up all over Windsor. The lawn signs are really popular and […]

RELEASE: Provincial Election Discussion Should be About Rebuilding Public Hospitals & Long-Term Care Not “Efficiencies” or “Lean” or Code Words for Cuts: Health Coalition Calls for Concrete Commitments to Redress the Crisis in Access to Care

(May 16, 2018) Toronto – After touring Ontario in recent weeks, Health Coalition spokeswoman Natalie Mehra returned to Toronto this morning at a press conference outside the Emergency Department at Mount Sinai Hospital to talk about the crisis in access to health care. Noting that the Coalition’s mandate is to protect public health care in […]

RELEASE: Deeply concerned about Doug Ford’s planned revenue cuts, comparison of parties’ commitments on key health care issues

(April 13, 2018) Toronto – Following the release of Doug Fords “platform” the Ontario Health Coalition has tried to analyze how Mr. Ford’s plan will impact health care funding. Over the next four years, with four days until the provincial election we still have no firm commitment on the level of hospital funding, nor any […]

RELEASE: Doug Ford’s Figures “Way Off”: Coalition Deeply Concerned About His Statements on Hospitals in Northern Ontario

(April 13, 2018) On this week’s swing through Northwestern Ontario PC Party Leader Doug Ford cited wildly incorrect numbers for hospital bed costs and raised the spectre of another round of hospital bed cuts. Mr. Ford was quoted in Thunder Bay’s media yesterday falsely stating that comparable hospital beds cost $3,500 while long-term care beds […]

RELEASE: Better but not cured: Health Coalition responds to Wynne pre-election funding announcement

(March 22, 2018) Toronto – Today’s hospital funding announcement is a move in the right direction but still falls short, the Ontario Health Coalition reported at Queen’s Park after the announcement. Premier Kathleen Wynne announced a 4.6 per cent increase in hospital funding to be unveiled in next week’s provincial Budget, just weeks in advance […]

UPDATE: Time To Care Rally Video

Almost a thousand people came out to push Bill 33 over the top and win a regulated minimum care standard of an average of 4-hours hands-on care per day for long-term care (nursing home) residents. The crowd was joined by France Gélinas, NDP Health Critic and sponsor of the Bill which has already passed 1st […]

ACTION UPDATE: Pharmacare Ontario Tour

(February 22, 2018) Over the next few months, the Ontario Health Coalition will join the Canadian Labour Congress in the Ontario leg of a national tour to more than 25 communities. Featuring Canada’s foremost pharmacare experts and advocates, these important discussions will address why we need a prescription drug plan that covers all Canadians. Click […]

UPDATE: TIME TO CARE RALLY – February 27, 2018 at 12 p.m., Queen’s Park

Time to Care Rally So far we have hundreds coming. But we need more than that. This time, every person counts. PLEASE COME OUT TIME TO CARE RALLY February 27, 2018 12 p.m. Queen’s Park GET ON A BUS – THEY ARE COMING FROM ALL OVER ONTARIO Please see the list below. You must reserve […]

ISSUE UPDATE: Ontario Health Coalition Succeeds in Protecting & Strengthening Ontario’s Ban on Private Hospitals

(February 9, 2018) We sent out an update in early December, but it appears that many of you did not get it. Here is the final update on our campaign in late November/early December to restore Ontario’s ban on private clinics after the government removed it in their omnibus health care bill that was brought […]

BACKGROUNDER: CALL TO ACTION: Take these actions to win improved long-term care in Ontario asap: Pass Bill 33!

It’s Time to Care: Your Support Can Help Us Win Improved Care Standards in Ontario’s Long-Term Care Homes Now Not Enough Care As you know, the key issue for residents, families, care workers and advocates in long-term care is that there simply is not enough care. For more than a decade, we have been advocating to […]

RELEASE: Health Minister’s hospital bed announcement welcome but it is only a temporary band aid, more is needed: Health Coalition

Health Minister’s hospital bed announcement welcome but it is only a temporary band aid, more is needed: Health Coalition (February 2, 2018) Toronto – “Although the Minister’s announcement today promising to extend funding for 1,235 ‘temporary’ hospital beds for one year is a positive step it is only a temporary band aid that will not […]

URGENT ACTION ALERT: New Bill Allows Private For-Profit Hospitals & More Private For-Profit Clinics

(November 23, 2017) The Ontario government is moving forward with legislation that lifts the ban on private hospitals, rolls private hospitals in with private clinics and renames them, offensively, Community Health Facilities, and makes it easier for private hospitals and clinics to expand and more difficult for the Minister to stop them. This legislation was brought […]

RELEASE: Public Home Care Would Benefit Ontarians Despite Claims of Vested Interests/For-Profit Home Care Companies: Health Coalition Calls for More Details

(November 6, 2017) Toronto – A leaked presentation from the Ministry of Health revealed by CBC today indicates that the government is planning some sort of public home care agency for personal support work in the home. The Ontario Health Coalition has been advocating for public home care since the 1990s and reacted with cautious […]

VIDEO: Impassioned debate in legislature on hospital cuts featuring quotes from OHC

(November 2, 2017) Analysis The Ontario Health Coalition’s media release was featured in an impassioned debate in the Legislature. Following upon revelations that more than 4,300 patients were treated on stretchers in hallways and other makeshift areas in the first four months of this year in Brampton’s hospital, many waiting 40 – 70 hours for […]

RELEASE: Thousands of Patients Lining Hospital Hallways in Brampton “Code Gridlock” Just the Tip of the Iceberg

(October 31, 2017) Coalition Calls for Long-Term Plan to Reinvest & Rebuild Hospital Bed Capacity Toronto – A memo obtained by the NDP, released in the media today, reveals that more than 4,300 patients stayed on stretchers in hospital corridors and the like for significant lengths of time, often waiting 40 – 70 hours for […]

RELEASE: Wynne Government’s Hospital Bed Announcement a Temporary Band-Aid But Health Coalition Slams Expanding Health Care Privatization

(October 23, 2017) Toronto – The Ontario Health Coalition congratulated the Health Minister for recognizing the crisis in Ontario’s hospitals and announcing 1,200 new hospital beds today. However, the coalition cautioned that this is only temporary band-aid that will partially alleviate the crisis but not solve it. One-fourth of the hospital money announced today was […]

RELEASE & REPORT: The Elephant at the Health Ministers’ Meetings: How Will Provinces Cope with $31 Billion Cut

(October 18, 2017) New National Report Outlines the Huge Cost of the Failed Health Accord As Health Ministers from across Canada meet in Edmonton today, Canada’s Health Coalitions released a report showing the recent bilateral health schemes pushed through by the Trudeau government have come at a huge cost. The report “Health Accord Breakdown: Costs […]

CALLOUT: Join the Campaign to fight the Hamilton hospital cuts

(August 8, 2017) Public Meeting to stop the cuts: Monday, September 25, 6:00 p.m. at USW Hall, 350 Kenilworth Ave. in Hamilton, Ont. We are collecting front-line stories about patient impacts of the cuts at the Hamilton hospitals. Do you, a friend or a family member have any? For example: patients left waiting in emergency […]

RELEASE: Hamilton’s Hospitals Have Passed the Tipping Point: Urgent campaign launched to stop $27-million in cuts

(August 8, 2017) Hamilton – Hamilton’s hospitals are already beyond their tipping point and another massive set of cuts is “reckless and irresponsible”, reported advocates today in a press conference. The Ontario Health Coalition joined leaders from the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions/CUPE to warn the public about the newest cuts which amount to $27 […]

RELEASE: Health Coalition Responds to Wettlaufer Inquiry Announcement

(August 1, 2017) Toronto – The Ontario government appointed Justice Eileen Gillese from the Ontario Court of Appeal to head a Public Inquiry into the murders of eight long-term care residents by Elizabeth Wettlaufer. The Ontario Health Coalition responded by raising concerns about the duration and the narrow mandate of the inquiry, noting that in […]

RELEASE: Inquiry Should Look into All Recent Homicides, Systemic Issues in Long-Term Care: Health Coalition

(June 28, 2017) The Ontario Health Coalition is advocating for the public inquiry that the Ontario government has called as a result of the murders in long-term care homes in Woodstock and London be broad enough to cover the systemic issues that have contributed to a context in Ontario’s long-term care homes in which there […]

RELEASE: Private Clinics & the Threat to Public Medicare in Canada: Results of Surveys with Private Clinics and Patients

(June 10, 2017) From the autumn of 2016 to the spring of 2017, researchers at the Ontario Health Coalition called all the private clinics we could reach across Canada. Included in the survey are private surgical clinics including cataract surgery clinics, MRI/CT, colonoscopy/endoscopy clinics and “boutique” physician clinics. In total, we surveyed a sample of […]

EVENT: Public Consultation on Public Hospital Reform

(June 2, 2017) Now is the time when we can make a difference Organizations and individuals are invited to attend and submit oral or written submissions on reforming Ontario’s hospitals in the public interest. We are holding public hearings across the province. Your input will be used to help create a report on reforming hospitals […]

EVENT: We Can’t “Bear” to Lose Medicare Tour

(June 2, 2017) The giant teddy bear is 7-feet tall and 4 1/2 foot-wide: a much-loved and friendly prop to help educate our communities about the threat of health care privatization. Private for-profit clinics are trying to take over services from our local public non-profit hospitals. They charge user fees amounting to hundreds or even thousands […]

RELEASE: Ontario Budget Health Care Investments Do Not Meet Expectations: Hospital Funding Inadequate to Stop Cuts & Meet Community’s Needs

(April 28, 2017) Despite the hype, the Ontario Budget did not provide the relief from a decade of hospital cuts that was hoped. Overall health funding will increase by 3 percent, less than the rest of the public sector. Home and community care funding increases are positive and appear to remain at the same rate […]

RELEASE: Ontario Budget Health Care Investments Do Not Meet Expectations: Hospital Funding Inadequate to Stop Cuts & Meet Community’s Needs

(April 27, 2017) Despite the hype, the Ontario Budget did not provide the relief from a decade of hospital cuts that was hoped. Overall health funding will increase by 3 percent, less than the rest of the public sector. Home and community care funding increases are positive and appear to remain at the same rate […]

BRIEFING NOTE: Pre-Budget Note

(April 26, 2017) In a speech April 13 to the Empire Club, Ontario Finance Minister Charles Sousa reported that in every corner of Ontario he heard from residents, civic leaders and businesses that health care and public hospitals are top priority issues, and he promised significant investments in this year’s budget. These increases will follow […]

REPORT: Our Hospitals, Our Communities: Report on Hospital Care Surveys in Chatham-Kent

(March 28, 2017) In 2016 Ontario Minister of Health, Dr. Eric Hoskins appointed a Supervisor under the Public Hospitals Act to take over the leadership of the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, which includes the two Chatham hospitals on one site (Public General and St. Joseph’s) and the Sydenham District Hospital in Wallaceburg. Since his appointment, Supervisor […]

RELEASE: Health Care Advocates Dismayed with Ottawa’s Divide and Conquer Tactics: Hopes for a Canadian Health Accord Dashed as Provinces Signs Deal

(March 10, 2017) Toronto/Ottawa/Edmonton: The Ontario, Quebec and Alberta governments, which had initially held out for better, were compelled to sign onto a bilateral health funding deal with Ottawa today. In the federal election, the Trudeau government promised to break with the high-handed approach of the previous Harper government and negotiate a new Health Accord […]

RELEASE: CIHI/Commonwealth Fund study on health: the good the bad and what’s missing

(February 16, 2017) In the Canadian Institute for Health Information’s spin-off report from the annual Commonwealth Fund International Health Survey of 11 countries released today, Canada fared pretty well. Though the Canadian Institute for Health Information led its media messaging with wait times, it should be noted that the study ranks Canada at or above […]

MEDIA CONFERENCE: Canada’s Health Coalitions Call for a United Health Accord Federal Government Must Return to the Negotiation Table

(February 9, 2017) The Ontario Health Coalition was joined by provincial and territorial health coalitions across Canada in media conferences to decry the federal government’s decision to walk away from the table on negotiating a new Health Accord for Canada. The current bilateral deals pushed through by the federal government and some provinces and territories […]

RELEASE & BACKGROUND: Ontario Government Responsible for Overwhelmed Hospital Emergency Departments: Critical Bed Shortages “Systemic and Pervasive”

(January 10, 2017) Reports of critical and pervasive hospital bed shortages are streaming in from across Ontario. In Brantford, hospital officials recently reported the “emergency department is overwhelmed”. At Lakeridge Health, all four hospitals across Durham are so full that hospital managers set up an emergency “command centre”. In Ottawa and London health coalition members […]

RELEASE: As Prime Minister Trudeau meets with First Ministers, Health Coalition calls for both sides to give ground to forge a new Health Accord in the public interest

(December 9, 2016) In advance of tonight’s dinner discussion on health care between the provincial-territorial Premiers and the Prime Minister, the Ontario Health Coalition called out both sides for their intransigence and advocated a new Health Accord forged in the public interest. For months, provincial premiers and the federal government have been at odds over […]

UPDATE: 100 Patients, families and concerned residents traveled to the Ontario Legislature

100 Patients, families and concerned residents traveled to the Ontario Legislature as Wynne government forces through the mega-mergers of their local hospitals. This week, the Wynne government used extraordinary powers to order the forced merger of the hospitals in Durham and Scarborough. The merger will cost almost $50 million of dollars, taking this money away from […]

UPDATE & BRIEFING NOTES: Durham/Scarborough Hospital Merger Mania

(November 24, 2016) UPDATE POSTED NOV. 24: Minister of Health Orders Mega-Hospital Merger “By Fiat”: Health Coalition Outraged, Vows to take its Fight to the Legislature Durham/Scarborough – The Ontario Health Coalition expressed outrage in reaction to news that the Minister of Health is forcing through massive hospital mergers in Scarborough and Durham affecting more than […]

EVENT: Reforming Long-Term Care in the Public Interest Conference

(November 1, 2016) Here are the notes and presentations that were displayed at the conference. Dr. Pat Armstrong Dan Buchanan Ian Johnson Isobel Mackenzie Natalie Mehra John F. Schnelle Mary Schultz

UPDATE: Giant Teddy Bear Brings Message of Compassion to London

(October 18, 2016) We Can’t “Bear” To Lose Medicare!! The London Health Coalition is launching a Care Bear Tour today on Tuesday, October 18th. With a giant teddy bear, aptly nicknamed “Tommy”, the coalition seeks to convey the message that care (not profit) must be the centre of our public health care system. Their goal […]

RELEASE: As Health Ministers from Across Canada Meet to Negotiate Health Accord

(October 17, 2016) Months of sparring in the media may come to an end this week as Health Ministers from across Canada meet to discuss a new Health Accord. This morning, representatives of the Canadian & Ontario Health Coalitions, Canadian Doctors for Medicare and the Council of Canadians gathered outside the King Edward hotel where […]

RELEASE: Coalition Applauds MPP Gates’ Call for Premier to Answer on Status of Niagara Falls Hospital

On Thursday, in advance of Premier Kathleen Wynne’s visit to Niagara Falls today, MPP Wayne Gates questioned the Health Minister in the Ontario Legislature on the slow pace of approval for a new hospital in Niagara Falls. He advocated that local contractors be used in the construction. All this is good. There is no question that the Niagara Falls hospital is old and a new one is required. Two years ago, the Niagara Health System submitted to the Ministry of Health a Phase I proposal to build a new hospital in Niagara Falls that has not yet been approved. Unfortunately, here in Niagara, as is the case in Scarborough, Durham, Picton and other areas, the government has used a vague and distant promise of a new hospital in what appears to be an attempt to stifle dissent about closure of needed health care services and a dismantling of local governance.

RELEASE: Coalition Warns Health Minister: Privatization of Ontario’s Health Systems for Patient Records and Information Will Incite Massive Public Opposition

(October 7, 2016) Banking Executive is Not Trusted to Protect Patient or Public Interest, Especially After Hydro Privatization Debacle Toronto –This afternoon, the Wynne government has made public a formal invitation from the Health Minister to Ed Clark to “assess and validate the value these [health data, e-health records and related intellectual property and infrastructure] […]

EVENT: Giant Rocking Chair Tour 2016: Rock-in for Improved Care!

(June 21, 2016) Rocking Chair Tour Update The Ontario Health Coalition’s giant 10-foot tall rocking chair with its message of the urgent need to bring in a 4-hour per day minimum care standard and improve access to long-term care has visited 17 communities (only 2 more to go!) including Prescott, Plantagenet, Orleans, Carleton Place, Almonte, Barry’s […]

SUBMISSION: Speaking Out About Protecting Health Care from International Trade Agreements

Ontario Health Coalition Executive Director Natalie Mehra presented to the Parliament of Canada’s Standing Committee on International Trade on May 12 in Windsor. She is speaking about the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) deal, a so-called “trade deal” among 12 countries representing about 40 percent of the global economy. There is a wide consensus among experts that this proposed agreement really […]

RELEASE: More than 94,000 Ontarians Join in Grassroots Referendum to Stop Devastating Hospital Cuts

(May 31, 2016) Massive Piles of Votes delivered to Opposition Party Leaders Outside Ontario Legislature Toronto – From across Ontario representatives from dozens of communities facing devastating cuts to their community hospitals carted thousands of ballots to the Ontario Legislature. The votes – 93,840 of them as of last night – were cast in a […]

RELEASE: Volunteer-Led Referendum Launched Across Ontario to Save Local Hospitals: Ontarians to Vote Saturday May 28

(April 25, 2016) Volunteer-Led Referendum Launched Across Ontario to Save Local Hospitals: Ontarians to Vote Saturday May 28 (Toronto, ON) […]

ADVISORY CORRECTION: Volunteers in Communities Across Ontario are Mounting Referendum to Save Local Hospitals

(April 22, 2016) *PLEASE NOTE: The Sudbury media launch has been postponed until further notice. Ontario is currently in the ninth consecutive year of real-dollar cuts to global hospital budgets, the longest stretch in Ontario’s history. These cuts mean that hospitals across the province, cannot keep up even with basic inflation. Hospitals have been […]

RELEASE: Success! Patients, Residents Travel 700 kilometres to Ontario Legislature to Save the Wallaceburg Hospital’s Emergency Department

(April 18, 2016) Breaking News: Success! Patients, Residents Travel 700 kilometres to Ontario Legislature to Save the Wallaceburg Hospital’s Emergency Department Toronto – At a press conference today at Queen’s Park, patients and concerned citizens from Wallaceburg issued an urgent plea to Ontario’s Minister of Health to stop the closure of the Wallaceburg Hospital’s […]

REPORT: “Beyond Limits”: Ontario’s community hospital cuts worst in Canada

(April 13, 2016) Toronto – The data is irrefutable. Ontario’s cuts to hospital nursing care and hospital beds are the most severe of anywhere in Canada. In a new report Beyond Limits: Ontario’s Deepening Hospital Cuts Crisis released today, the Ontario Health Coalition finds that the cuts to community hospital care are a result of […]

RELEASE: Coalition Applauds Wynne Government for Reversing Course on Seniors’ Drug Fee Increase

(April 8, 2016) Toronto — This week, Ontario’s government announced that it is canceling its plans to dramatically increase user fees for seniors’ drugs after more than 80 organizations signed onto a letter to the Premier asking her to revisit the idea. The government’s plan, announced in the 2016 Ontario Budget in February, would have […]

EVENT: Upcoming Town Hall Meetings: Attend one near you!

(April 1, 2016) TOWN HALL MEETINGS: Lindsay, Hamilton, Windsor, Chatham, Wallaceburg, Sarnia, Pelham, North Bay, Port Colborne, Toronto, Orillia, Sault Ste. Marie, St. Joseph Island Hospitals across the province are facing serious cuts to services. London’s hospitals are planning $26 million in cuts this year and more cuts are expected to be announced. Lindsay’s Ross […]

MYTH BUSTER: Hospital Funding in Ontario Budget 2016

(March 24, 2016) Real-Dollar Cuts Across Ontario Ontario’s Wynne government has been claiming that it has increased public hospital funding this year by 2.1 per cent. This would not be sufficient to meet population growth and health care inflation levels, even were it true. But the truth is that most of Ontario’s hospitals are not […]

RELEASE: Welland Hospital Awareness Day at Ontario Legislature: Patients, Residents Demand Plan to Close Welland Hospital Be Stopped

(March 21, 2016) Toronto – At a press conference today at Queen’s Park, patients and concerned citizens from Welland issued an urgent plea to Ontario’s Minister of Health to overturn the decision to close the Welland Hospital, telling him that more than 100,000 people served by the Welland Hospital will suffer worse access to […]

RELEASE: Welland Hospital Plan Unveiled: Precarious Services are No Replacement for Hospital Closure, Coalition Warns

(March 18, 2016) Welland/Niagara/Toronto: The Niagara Health System (NHS) revealed a sliver of its hospital plans today. In its email to the media, the hospital outlined its new proposal for an ambulatory care centre (outpatient clinics), an “urgent care” centre (walk-in clinic) and long-term care beds to be located in Welland. The timing of the […]

ANALYSIS: Chamber of Commerce Privatization Report Poorly Researched, Not in Public Interest: Health Coalition

(March 15, 2016) Toronto – The Ontario’s Chamber of Commerce waded into health care reform today with a poorly-researched and argued report that would cause Ontarians harm if implemented, noted the Ontario Health Coalition. The OCC report is not grounded in evidence. It is comprised of a hodgepodge of anecdotes that are often inaccurate and […]

ANALYSIS: Ontario Health Coalition Summary & Analysis of Minister of Health’s White Paper on Health Care Reform

Ontario Health Coalition Summary & Analysis of Minister of Health’s White Paper on Health Care Reform Patients First: A Proposal to Strengthen Patient-Centred Health Care in Ontario Discussion Paper issued by the Minister of Health & Long-Term Care, December 17, 2015 Process & Timelines The process of public consultation for this proposed reform is an […]

RELEASE: 2016 Ontario Budget — Minimal Funding Increases for Hospitals: Not Far Enough

(February 25, 2016) 2016 Ontario Budget — Minimal Funding Increases for Hospitals: Not Far Enough Toronto – The Ontario Budget, released today at the Ontario Legislature, has announced a $60 million increase for hospital global budgets for the upcoming year. This minimal increase, along with targeted funding, will mean that some hospitals will see […]

ADVISORY: OHC 2016 Pre-Budget Briefing

(February 25, 2016) 2016 Pre-Budget Briefing Where We Stand: Ontario’s Ranking in Public Service and Health Care Expenditures & Cuts Ontario’s government is making budget choices that cut and privatize public services and health care. These are choices, not necessities. Here’s how we compare relative to other provinces and jurisdictions on some key measures. The […]

RELEASE: Devastating Hospital Cuts & Flawed Process for Health Reform Consultation: Key Issues for this Session of the Ontario Legislature

(February 16, 2016) Toronto – Ontario’s premier stated that jobs and the economy are her priorities for this session of Ontario’s Legislature, which opened today. Impacting both jobs and local economies but not part of the Premier’s media messages, two key health care issues impacting Ontario’s communities will also be on the front-burner, including: Devastating […]

SUBMISSION: Local Coalition Submissions to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs

(February 1, 2016) Folgo Della Vedova – Sault and Area Health Coalition Full Submission (PDF) Jeff Arbus – Sault and Area Health Coalition Full Submission (PDF) Shirley Roebuck – Chatham Kent Health Coalition Full Submission (PDF)

RELEASE: Patients, Concerned Citizens and Workers Rally Outside Pre-Budget Hearings to Stop Devastating Hospital Cuts, Privatization

(February 1, 2016) As MPPs from all three political parties from the Ontario Legislature traveled to Toronto for pre-budget hearings today, they were met with protests by patients, concerned residents and health care workers. The message was clear: stop the devastating cuts to – and privatization of – local hospitals across Ontario. The Ontario Legislature’s Standing […]

UPDATE: Pre-budget hearing rallies!

(February 1, 2016) Ontario Health Coalition Executive Director presented to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs at the Ontario Legislature this morning. Here is the Ontario Health Coalition’s submission with the most recent hospital spending, nursing levels (all nurse classifications), and hospital beds and overcrowding statistics. Please share with those who might be […]

RELEASE: Protect Public Medicare as first priority, as Canada’s Health Ministers gather to meet in Vancouver: Health Advocates

(January 19, 2016) Toronto/Vancouver – Urgent action must be taken to safeguard equal health care for all as a first priority as Health Ministers from across Canada gather in Vancouver this week, say advocates from the public health care watchdog the Ontario Health Coalition. “We are seeing an alarming increase in user fees charged to […]

EVENTS: Members of Provincial Parliament Traveling Across Ontario for Pre-Budget Hearings

(January 11, 2016) The Ontario Provincial Parliament’s Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs has chosen Hamilton, Windsor, Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Ottawa and Toronto to hold pre-budget consultations. We are now entering the 9th consecutive year of hospital cuts – the longest stretch of hospital cuts in Ontario’s history. Every service cut is […]

IN THE NEWS: Health Care Wait Times – What is the Real Story?

(December 8, 2015) By: Natalie Mehra, Executive Director, Ontario Health Coalition Today, a high-profile report tracking health care wait times was released from the Wait Times Alliance. Eliminating Code Gridlock in Canada’s Health Care System, is a credible summary and a useful addition to public policy decisions about health care planning. It is written by […]

RELEASE: A Thousand People Rally to Send Strong Message to Wynne Government: “Stop the Devastating Cuts to Local Hospitals”

(December 4, 2015) A Thousand People Rally to Send Strong Message to Wynne Government: “Stop the Devastating Cuts to Local Hospitals” On Monday, the Northeastern Ontario Day of Action, organized by the Ontario Health Coalition and the North Bay Health Coalition, brought together patients, seniors, health advocates, hospital workers and local citizens to address the […]

RELEASE: Giant Protest Sends Message to Wynne Government: “We Can’t Take Any More Cuts”

(November 13, 2015) Giant Protest Sends Message to Wynne Government: “We Can’t Take Any More Cuts” (Trenton, Ontario) – At a major regional rally today in Trenton, hundreds gathered to deliver a strong message to Lou Rinaldi, the senior Liberal MPP for the region. The Take Back Our Hospitals Rally, organized by the Ontario Health Coalition […]

EVENTS: Take Back Our Hospitals: Fall Days of Action in S/E Ont, N/E Ont, and Scarborough/Durham

(October 23, 2015) Take Back Our Hospitals Days of Action in S/E Ontario, N/E Ontario and Scarborough/Durham Southeastern Ontario Rally Friday November 13, 12 p.m. Centennial Park, Trenton Buses will be traveling in from the whole region. For more info on buses email us at ohc@sympatico.ca Active citizens have succeeded in stopping cuts all across Ontario. Let’s […]

OP-ED: Conservatives are wrong to refuse debate on health care

(October 16, 2015) By: Natalie Mehra Across Ontario federal Conservative candidates have refused to attend most all-candidates debates on health care. This is a new low. Never has any political party simply refused to debate a leading issue for voters. In correspondence and the media, candidates have excused themselves, saying that “health is a provincial […]

VIDEO: How do “tax cuts” stack up against new costs as a result of health care cuts?

(October 16, 2015) We’re besieged with commercials and messages about tax cuts. But who’s paying for them and how? Here’s a 2 minute video that you’ll want to know about:

Federal Election 2015 – Vote Health Care!

(October 2, 2015) Canadians share a deeply held belief that access to health care should not be based on how rich we are, but on our medical need. Most of us believe that our government will not purposely destroy public health care. But privatization is a serious threat and it would dismantle health care for […]

ADVISORY: Memorial Draws Attention to Violence in Long-Term Care

(September 30, 2015) Memorial Draws Attention to Violence in Long-Term Care: Health Coalition, Seniors Call for Minimum Care Standards On October 1, seniors, families of long-term care residents, advocates and care workers of all stripes will gather to remember those who have died due to homicide in Ontario’s long-term care homes and to highlight the […]

RELEASE, ANALYSIS & BACKGROUNDER: Hundreds of Millions in Home Care Funding Going to Profit, Duplicate Administration and ‘Impossibly Complex and Bureaucratic’ Home Care System: Auditor’s CCAC Home Care Report

(September 23, 2015) Health Coalition Calls for Streamlined Public Home Care System Raises Questions About Lack of Transparency in Contracted Home Care Companies Toronto – Ontario’s Auditor General released a thorough and thoughtful review of the Community Care Access Centres (CCACs) that reveals in detail how impossibly complex the home care system in Ontario has […]

CAMPAIGN: Petition to save hospital services at Brockville General Hospital

(July 29, 2015) Click here for Petition (PDF)

EVENTS: Southwestern Ontario’s Day of Action to Stop Privatization and Protect Our Public Healthcare and Services!

(July 6, 2015) Thank-you to everyone that came out to support Southwestern Ontario’s Day of Action on Friday, June 26. Over 200 people stood outside Deb Matthew’s office in London to raise awareness about the serious cuts that are happening to our hospitals and services. Stay tuned via Facebook, Twitter and/or our website for further events […]

VIDEO: Stopping Health Care Cuts

(June 8, 2016) This was taken by Al Dupuis, from one of our public meetings with the Ottawa Health Coalition. Watch OHC Executive Director Natalie Mehra with Dr. John Lister, and Marlene Rivier, Ottawa Health Coalition’s Co-chair. Analysis

EVENTS: Join us at the upcoming Southwestern Ontario Day of Action

(June 3, 2015) On June 26, at 12 p.m., please join us as we bring our Regional Days of Action to Southwestern Ontario to Minister Deb Matthew’s office in London, Ontario. We invite you to share the posters around and spread the word to your friends and family. Click here for Poster

EVENT: Giant Rocking Chair Tour 2015

(June 3, 2015) “Rock in” Ontario’s Way to Comfort, Safety and Care Come out and show your support as we, make time to care! Join the Ontario Health Coalition, local health coalitions, friends and allies as we tour the province, pushing for improved access to care and improved levels of care in Ontario’s long-term care homes. A giant 10-foot tall rocking chair will […]

EVENTS: Join us at the upcoming Ottawa Region Day of Action

(May 29, 2015) Our next Regional Day of Action is fast approaching!

RELEASE: Homecare Roadmap has potential, but beware of some dangerous pitfalls: Health Coalition

(May 13, 2015) The Ontario government’s plan to reform home care is short on details. The broad steps outlined in it contain potential for a strong and progressive vision to emerge, but there are also perils that Ontario Health Coalition is urging Health Minister Eric Hoskins to avoid. “We want to be positive and we […]

CALL-OUT: It’s Time to Take a Stand! Regional Days of Action to Stop Hospital Cuts and Hospital /Home Care Privatization

(May 11, 2015) Days of Action Rallies at senior government Ministers’ offices Hamilton/Niagara 10 a.m. Rally @ Cabinet Minister Ted McMeekin’s office, 299 Dundas St. E., Waterdown *For ride/carpool from Hamilton, meet by 9 a.m. at the Steelworkers’ Hall, 350 Kenilworth Ave. N., Hamilton. For more information contact Rolf Gerstenberger 289-260-9547 Hamilton residents will then […]

ADVISORY: Ontario Budget Watch and Pre-Budget Briefing

(April 22, 2015) Advisory – Ontario Budget Watch: Health Coalition Representatives Available to Respond to Budget *Please see below for Pre-Budget Briefing (Toronto/Chatham-Kent/Cornwall/Niagara/North Bay/Peterborough/Sault Ste. Marie/Scarborough/Sudbury/Windsor) – Health Coalition representatives will be available to share our responses to and analysis of the Ontario Budget tomorrow after the budget is released. While the announced plans for […]

RELEASE: Hundreds Rally to Stop Health Care Cuts and Privatization in First Day of Action — Protests Planned Across Ontario

(April 17, 2015) (Sudbury, Ottawa, Hamilton, Niagara, London) – In response to severe hospital cuts and the threat of privatization of home care and hospital services, organizations representing hundreds of thousands of seniors, patients, health care workers, nurses, health professionals and concerned citizens have joined forces to call for mass protests in each region of […]

ADVISORY: Leaders of Organizations Representing More than Half-A-Million Ontarians Join Forces to Stop the Hospital Cuts & Hospital/Home Care Privatization

(April 15, 2015) Advisory: Leaders of Organizations Representing More than Half-A Million Ontarians Join Forces to Stop the Hospital Cuts & Hospital/Home Care Privatization (Toronto) – Hospital wards, emergency departments, even entire hospitals are being closed down. Hundreds of nurses have received lay-off notices in recent months. Health professionals’ services are being systematically cut […]

FULL REPORT: Planned Closure of Five Hospital in Niagara Puts Patients At Risk, Warns International Health Expert

(April 2, 2015) Planned Closure of Five Hospitals in Niagara Puts Patients At Risk, Warns International Health Expert Coalition is Concerned that Niagara Closures Pave the Way for Hospital Closures Across Ontario (Toronto) An international health policy expert warned that the plan to close five hospitals in Niagara risks patient safety, “lacks any rational justification” and […]

ADVISORY: Media Conference with International Expert Condemning Niagara Hospital Closures

(April 1, 2015) MEDIA ADVISORY Media Conference with International Expert Condemning Niagara Hospital Closures (Toronto, ON) – The Ontario Health Coalition will be hosting a media conference with an international health policy expert with decades of experience analyzing global health policy reform who has conducted a full review of the plans to close five community […]

RELEASE & REPORT: International Health Policy Expert Finds Plan to Close Five Hospitals in Niagara Threatens Patient Safety and Contains “Glaring Omissions”

(March 30, 2015) (Welland/Niagara Falls) An international health policy expert warned that the plan to close five hospitals in Niagara risks patient safety, “lacks any rational justification” and contains “glaring omissions”. In two press conferences today in Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake, Dr. John Lister, author of two books on global health reform and professor at Coventry […]

RELEASE: Home Care Panel Report Missing Core Principles of Public Medicare: Coalition Warns of “Deep Privatization”

(March 12, 2015) Home Care Panel Report Missing Core Principles of Public Medicare: Coalition Warns of “Deep Privatization” Toronto – The Ontario Ministry of Health’s “expert” panel on home care released its recommendations today for home care reform. The recommendations caused deep concern among public health care advocates in the Ontario Health Coalition because they […]

FULL REPORT: Ontario Home Care in Disarray, Unable to Keep Up: Heath Coalition Proposes Reform Based on Principles of Public Medicare

(March 10, 2015) Ontario Home Care in Disarray, Unable to Keep Up: Heath Coalition Proposes Reform Based on Principles of Public Medicare

RELEASE: Leamington Day of Action at Queen’s Park

(March 5, 2015) Pregnant Women, Mothers, Midwives and Community Members Issue Plea to Save Birthing Services (Toronto) A group of pregnant women, mothers, midwives and community members traveled to Queen’s Park today to raise the alarm about the proposed closure of birthing, maternity and maternal-newborn care at the Leamington Hospital. The closure would mean that […]

RELEASE: Protest at Liberal Cabinet Minister Deb Matthews’ Office to Stop Closure of Birthing Services, Cuts to Smaller Community Hospitals

(February 28, 2015) (London) – More than 60 women, children, families and activists joined forces to protest the proposed closure of birthing and other obstetrical services at Leamington’s hospital outside MPP Deb Matthews’ office on Saturday in London, Ontario. A large group, including pregnant women, travelled from Leamington to London to bring their message to […]

SUBMISSION: to the Standing Committee on Finance & Economic Affairs

(January 29, 2015) Click here for OHC Budget Submission

ADVISORY: Essex County Residents to Deliver Hundreds of Newborn Hats to Cabinet Minister Deb Matthews’ Office in Rally to Save Maternity Services

(February 13, 2015) Get on the Bus! Your support matters, please let us know if you plan to attend by calling 519-325-0226 or 519-800-3040 by Friday February 20. All are welcome!

RELEASE: Privatized P3 Hospitals & Projects Cost $8 Billion More

(January 13, 2015) Privatized P3 Hospitals and Projects Cost $8 Billion More Ontario Auditor General’s Report Vindicates More than 10 Years of Work by Health Coalition: Government Must Stop P3 Privatization Now (Toronto) – All justifications are now stripped away. Ontario’s government must stop the P3 privatization of public infrastructure projects including hospitals, and put […]

EVENT: Members of Provincial Parliament Traveling Across Ontario for Pre-Budget Hearings

(January 6, 2015) *Info on rallies below The Ontario Provincial Parliament’s Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs has chosen Hamilton, Windsor, Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Ottawa and Toronto to hold pre-budget consultations. We are now entering the 9th consecutive year of hospital cuts – the longest stretch of hospital cuts in Ontario’s history. […]

RELEASE: Home care cuts undermining Medicare

(November 25, 2014) Toronto Star Letter to the Editor by Natalie Mehra, Executive Director of the Ontario Health Coalition, in response to Health Minister. Click here for Letter

EVENTS: Photos from Rally at Queen’s Park

(November 21, 2014) Many thanks to the thousands of people who came out to the November 21 Rally at Queen’s Park. Thanks to your support and hard work, the event was a huge success! The sun was shining as more than 3000 participants from across Ontario gathered to call on Ontario’s government to Stop the […]

ADVISORY: Thousands Rally at Ontario Legislature to Stop Unprecedented Cuts and Privatization that Threaten Community Hospitals All Across Ontario

(November 18, 2014) Thousands Rally at Ontario Legislature to Stop Unprecedented Cuts and Privatization that Threaten Community Hospitals All Across Ontario Where: In front of main doors (South doors) of Main Legislative Building, Queen’s Park When: Friday November 21 at 12 noon What: A massive rally at Queen’s Park with more than 3000 people in […]

CALL-OUT: Get on the bus to join the November 21 Giant Rally at Queen’s Park!

(November 10, 2014) STOP private clinics SAVE our local public hospitals 12 p.m. Friday November 21 Giant Rally @ Ontario Legislature, Queen’s Park Toronto www.ontariohealthcoalition.ca Buses will be coming from all over Ontario! Please see below for a list of buses and who to contact to get on the bus in your community + more information on […]

URGENT: Save Our Community Hospitals Upcoming Meetings and Events across Ontario

(November 4, 2014) The government of Ontario is undertaking an aggressive plan to dismantle community hospitals and contract-out hospital surgeries and diagnostics to private clinics. In the most aggressive cuts plan that we have ever seen, after more than five years of budget slashing, they plan to close all of the outpatient services that they […]

CALL-OUT: November 21 Giant Rally at Queen’s Park to STOP the private clinics

(October 24, 2014) STOP private clinics SAVE our local public hospitals 12 p.m. Friday November 21 Giant Rally @ Ontario Legislature, Queen’s Park Toronto

PRESENTATION: Private Affluence, Public Austerity: P3s, Economic Crisis, and the Public Response

(October 19, 2014) Postdoctoral Fellow at University of British Columbia, Heather Whiteside, slide presentation to OHC Assembly and Conference October 2014 on P3 Privatization and the impact on cost and health care cuts. Private Affluence, Public Austerity: P3s, Economic Crisis, and the Public Response

RELEASE: User fees threatened for patients across Canada if court challenge negotiations fail to uphold Medicare

(September 29, 2014) At a press conference this morning, speakers Natalie Mehra, Executive Director of the Ontario Health Coalition, Dr. Rupinder Brar, Board Member of Canadian Doctors for Medicare, Dr. Ryan Meili, Vice-Chair of Canadian Doctors for Medicare and Steven Shrybman, LL.B., Partner, Sack Goldblatt Mitchell raise the alarm about the threat of user fees […]

RELEASE: More than 80,000 Ontarians Vote to Stop Wynne Government Plan to Cut Local Community Hospitals and Contract Out Care to Private Clinics: Health Care Advocates Call On the Premier and New Health Minister to Stop the Privatization Plan

(July 8, 2014) One of the first major controversial issues faced by Ontario’s new Health Minister is the government’s plan to cut clinical services from local public hospitals and contract them out to regional private clinics. Today at the Ontario Legislature, hundreds of health care advocates representing every region of Ontario gathered to deliver more […]

REPORT: A Rural Nurse Speaks Out: New Report Appeals for Devastating Cuts to Small Community Hospitals to Stop

(June 5, 2014) The OHC has released a new report by Shirley Roebuck, RN, and a number of rural active or retired rural physicians, administrators and community members on the devastating cuts to small rural community hospitals across Ontario. The report includes a list sampling of devastating cuts to small and rural hospitals across Ontario.

REPORT: Ontario Election 2014

(June 6, 2014) The OHC has issued a report, “From Mega-Mergers to Reduced Parking Fees: A Comparison of the Ontario Provincial Parties’ Health Care Platforms” comparing the health care platforms of the three major parties and warns, in particular about a plan by the PC Party that would see all of Ontario’s 146 public hospital corporations […]

RELEASE: Ontario Budget: Austerity Continues For Community Hospitals Plus Some Good News on Minimum Wage, Pensions

(May 1, 2014) In today’s Budget Speech, the Minister of Finance pledged “what we will not do is sacrifice important public services”. But for the fifth year in a row, community hospitals will see their funding levels set below the rate of inflation which will result in further cuts to needed care services, movement of […]

RELEASE: More than 56,000 Ontarians vote to stop the dismantling of community hospitals in volunteer-led referendum: Health Coalition

(April 7, 2014) Over the last two and a half weeks, hundreds of volunteers with the Ontario Health Coalition have opened public voting stations to collect opinions about the government’s plan to cut services from local community hospitals and contract them out to high-volume private clinics. Balloting at over 100 voting stations and over 200 […]

RELEASE: VOTE SATURDAY APRIL 5th TO SAVE OUR LOCAL HOSPITALS!

(April 4, 2014) Vote to stop the Ontario government’s plan to cut local public hospitals and contract clinical services out to private clinics. Ontarians are asked to vote for one of the following statements in voting booths across Ontario: I support our local public hospitals. I do not want the government to cut their services […]

REPORT: Private Health Clinics Using Manipulative Tactics to Over-Bill Patients: Ontario Health Coalition Report

(March 25, 2014) Ontario Government’s Plan to Cut Medical Services from Local Public Hospital and Contract Them Out to Private Clinics Called a Significant Threat to Single-Tier Medicare.

REPORT: Proposed Scarborough-West Durham Hospital Merger: New report highlights $30 million cost and exposes plans to close hospital sites

(February 20, 2014) The Ontario Health Coalition in conjunction with the Scarborough Health Coalition released a new report today entitled “Look Before You Leap” highlighting concerns surrounding the proposed hospital merger in Scarborough-West Durham.

SUBMISSION: OHC Provincial Budget Submission

(January 16, 2014) Submission to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs Pre-Budget Hearings. Click here for Submission

RELEASE: Scarborough-Ajax Facing Among the Worst Hospital Cuts in Ontario: Campaign Launched to Protect Services

(October 15, 2013) Today the Scarborough Health Coalition launched a campaign in Scarborough to protect hospital services. According to hospital documents, $28 million in “savings” must be found next year, meaning millions of dollars in hospital service cuts are underway and even more are being planned. The campaign will include town hall meetings, mass leafleting […]

RELEASE: Ontario’s Wynne Government Plans to Bring In Private Clinics: Threatens Non-Profit Community Hospital Care

(October 8, 2013) The Ontario government plans to introduce private specialty clinics to take the place of local community hospitals’ services. The government’s proposal would bring in legal regulations under the Independent Health Facilities Act and the Local Health System Integration Act to usher in private clinics and shut down services in community hospitals.

OP/ED: Ottawa edges away from public medicare

(July 8, 2013) With the National Health Accord set to expire next year, the Harper Conservatives show little interest in working with the premiers to improve the system, write Ontario Health Coalition director Natalie Mehra and Canadian Health Coalition national co-ordinator Mike McBane’s commentary in the Toronto Star. Click here for Toronto Star OP/ED

RELEASE: Coalition Slams “Bullying” Tactics by Premier and Health Minister to Force Through P3 Hospital Privatization Without Public Accountability: Kingston Hospital Latest in More than $4 Billion in Hospital P3 Privatization Under Ontario’s Liberal Government

(May 29, 2013) A bus load of volunteers from Kingston Ontario travelled to Toronto today to deliver 10,000 ballots from a community referendum they held recently to stop the P3 privatization of their community’s new hospital. Almost 10,000 residents voted with 96 per cent opposing the P3 privatization scheme. Kingston’s new hospital is the latest […]

OPEN LETTER: to the Health Minister on Home Care User & Drug Fees

(April 3, 2013) Open letter endorsed by over 70 Seniors’ and Health Advocacy organizations expressing opposition to the Ontario Senior’s Strategy proposal for income-tested user fees and drug fees for Home Care. Click here for Open Letter

SUBMISSION: OHC Submission to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs questions lack of P3 audit

(March 22, 2013) OHC Director Natalie Mehra queries why no audit done of $4 billion in privatized P3 Projects amidst new international evidence of exorbitant profit-taking in P3 hospitals — at the same time regular Ontarians are told to accept deep cuts to needed local hospital care and services.

RELEASE: Giant Rocking Chair Tour: “Rock-in” for Improved Long-Term Care

(May 21, 2014) The Ontario Health Coalition is working with hundreds of groups to tour the province with a giant 10-foot tall rocking chair. The goal is to raise awareness about levels of care and access to care in Ontario’s long-term care homes.

SUBMISSION: Submission on the proposed new regulation under the Independent Health Facilities Act (IHFA), 1990 and the proposed amendment to regulation 264/07 under the Local Health System Integration Act (LHSIA) 2006

(October 10, 2013) The Ontario government is proposing regulatory changes that would appear to transfer some or all funding and oversight of private clinics (IHFs) to the LHINs regime, allow Cancer Care Ontario to fund private clinics and expand the private clinic/IHF model in order to cut and privatize public hospital services. On October 10, […]

BRIEFING NOTE: New Legal Regulations Planned by Ontario’s Liberal Government to Cut Community Hospital Services and Expand Private Clinics

(October 8, 2013) Ontario’s Liberal government has announced plans to bring in new legal regulations to expand the use of private clinics to take hospital services out of our community hospitals. Is this the end of our community hospitals as we know them? In the Ontario government’s vision for health care, community hospitals are the […]

FACT SHEET: Comparison of Public Hospitals Act to Independent Health Facilities Act

(October 8, 2013) Item Under Public Hospitals Act Under IHFA Comparison Power to approve new facilities, and sell, lease or dispose of facilities. Minister must approve new hospitals. Minister must approve articles before they are filed under the Not-for-Profit Corporations Act. (These establish the name and location of the hospital, among other provisions.) Minister must approve expansions, […]

Update: Over 2000 Attend Mass Rally to Demand Federal Leadership in Health Care

(July 16, 2013) Update: Over 2000 Attend Mass Rally to Demand Federal Leadership in Health Care Many thanks to everyone for coming out to last week’s Shadow Summit and Mass Rally to Uphold National Public Medicare and win a Renewed Health Accord in 2014. More than 2000 people came out to call on the Premiers […]

RELEASE: Bad News Budget Will Result in Health Care Cuts and Privatization

(May 2, 2013) Rural communities funding and community care claims are merely “Smoke and Mirrors” says Health Coalition.

ANALYSIS: Ontario Health Coalition Analysis of the First Ministers’ Health Accord

(February 11, 2003) A reading of the new “Health Accord” reached last week at the First Ministers’ meetings leads to more questions than answers.

OPEN LETTER: Formal Complaints Lodged Against LHIN: Request for Disclosure Launched in Ottawa Hospital Cuts and Privatization Scheme

(March 11, 2013) The Ontario Health Coalition and OPSEU have launched formal complaints about the Champlain LHIN’s process regarding the decision by the Ottawa Hospital to cut and privatize thousands of surgeries and other health care services.

RELEASE: Myth Buster: OHC Challenges Health Minister’s Claims – Hospital cuts and privatization are not offset by home care

(March 5, 2013) The Ontario Health Coalition responded today to the Health Minister’s attempt to downplay and minimize the cuts to – and privatization of – hospital services that she and her government are making.

RELEASE: “OHC Austerity Index Part II” details how Hospital Cuts and Privatization Reach New Levels: Coalition Announces “S.O.S.” – Save Our Services – Day of Action

(January 25, 2013) At a Queen’s Park press conference this morning, the Ontario Health Coalition, representing more than 400 organizations dedicated to protecting public health care, warned that the Ontario government’s austerity budget is causing unprecedented cuts to and privatization of hospital services.