|
Newsletter
|
Donate
Healthcare advocate from Thessalon joins day of action at Queen’s Park
Posted: May 19, 2025
(May 18, 2025)
By: Lisa Rene-de-Cotret, ElliotLakeToday.com
Thessalon – Elliot Lake Today spoke with Mary Jane Thompson, a passionate advocate for healthcare reform, who took part in a pivotal Day of Action at Queen’s Park in Toronto.
The event was designed to shed light on the difficulties faced by small hospitals and healthcare providers throughout Ontario.
Thompson, who made her way from Thessalon with Al Dupuis of the Ontario Health Coalition, shared her experience, underscoring the vital role of grassroots activism in tackling healthcare issues.
“I left Thessalon and drove to Blind River to meet Al Dupuis, and from there, we headed to Toronto,” she recalled. The pair stayed at a hotel, gearing up for a day filled with activism and advocacy.
Upon arriving at Queen’s Park around 9:15 a.m., Thompson and Dupuis went through security before settling into Room 351, waiting for their turn to enter the legislative gallery.
“Natalie Mehra from the Ontario Health Coalition mentioned that over 100 supporters would be there,” Thompson pointed out, emphasizing the collective effort to amplify their message.
During the question period, Deputy Premier Sylvia Jones addressed the assembly, defending the government’s stance on healthcare in Ontario. Thompson noted a noticeable wave of dissent within the gallery.
“There was a lot of push back to what she had to say,” she observed, reflecting the tension surrounding the ongoing healthcare debate.
The morning was filled with activities as Thompson and Dupuis stepped out of the gallery for a scheduled interview.
“It was a follow-up interview from a phone conversation we had earlier in the week,” Thompson explained, highlighting the media’s interest in the challenges faced by healthcare advocates.
After the interview, the duo met with Frances Gelinas, the opposition’s health critic. This meeting allowed various representatives from small hospitals and healthcare workers to express their concerns.
Thompson took the opportunity to present Gelinas with a binder filled with letters and stories from residents of Thessalon and the surrounding areas.
“She was very sympathetic to our plight,” Thompson noted, mentioning that Gelinas, who comes from Sudbury, understood the unique challenges their communities face.
The Day of Action wrapped up with a press conference where different groups, including Thompson’s, each had five minutes to speak.
In part of her presentation, Thompson said, “The residents of Thessalon and surrounding areas have been dutifully paying their taxes for their entire lives. In return, they face repeated hospital closures, dwindling services and empty promises from those in charge.”
“They are shipped off for care – far from their homes and families. Sault Ste. Marie and Blind River have been given new hospitals, while Thessalon hospital is going down the drain. Is this what we should continue to expect, or will you take action in making this right?”
Thompson expressed her appreciation for the solidarity shown by fellow healthcare advocates during this significant event.
“The press conference was essential for us to share our stories and concerns with a wider audience,” she remarked.
Following the press conference, Thompson and her fellow advocates took to the streets outside Queen’s Park, armed with signs and banners to continue their protest.
By 2:30 p.m., Thompson and Dupuis packed up and began their journey home, reflecting on a day that she hopes will spark meaningful change in Ontario’s healthcare landscape.
As advocates like Thompson continue to raise their voices, the fight for equitable healthcare remains a central issue in Ontario’s political conversation.
