![\"Peterborough](\"https:\/\/images.thestar.com\/2rBMg_1Iv_4pfi7UdW0IKH8RlLI=\/1400x953\/smart\/filters:cb(1648138220668)\/https:\/\/www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com\/content\/dam\/localcommunities\/kawartha_lakes_this_week\/news\/2022\/03\/23\/area-healthcare-advocates-host-emergency-summit-to-fight-back-against-privatization\/10594136_Emergency_summit.jpg\")
<\/p>\n(March 23, 2022)<\/p>\n
By: This Week, The Peterborough Examiner<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Local healthcare advocates are hosting a virtual Emergency Summit March 31, which they say is to protest the province\u2019s support to expand for-profit clinics and hospitals in Ontario.<\/p>\n
The event, co-hosted by the Peterborough Health Coalition, Kawartha Lakes Health Coalition and Haliburton-CKL Long-Term Care Coalition hope the event will generate support for the \u201cbiggest fight-back we have ever mounted\u201d states a press release from the Peterborough group.<\/p>\n
In addition to representation from the hosting trio, the summit – which begins at 7 p.m. on Zoom – includes Dr. Jasmine Gite, Canadian Doctors for Medicare, Natalie Mehra, Ontario Health Coalition, Michael Hurley, Ontario Council of Hospital Unions\/CUPE and Randy Robinson, Ontario director, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives<\/p>\n
Similar efforts are being undertaken by groups across the province in response to a comment made by Health Minister Christine Elliot in early February. The comment related to the government\u2019s support of for-profit clinics and services to help address backlogs in such healthcare needs as surgeries.<\/p>\n
While this doesn\u2019t assure efforts by the government to further privatize healthcare, the groups point out the province is midway in allocating more than 18,000 long-term care beds to for-profit companies in 30-year contracts; the majority going to the same companies responsible for thousands of deaths and horrific conditions, in fact the highest death rates, during the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n
Advocates also say Premier Doug Ford has not reinstated comprehensive inspections nor improved care levels in long-term care.<\/p>\n
The group hopes that, through events like the upcoming Emergency Summit will aid in their goal to protect and improve vital public health care services and stop the dangerous for-profit privatization of health care. The three Coalitions intend to set the threat to our public health care as a key election issue and push ‘all’ political parties to make commitments to safeguard public health care, stop privatization and address the urgent needs to improve ‘care and staffing’.<\/p>\n
Those interested in registering for the Emergency Summit are invited to do so via https:\/\/utoronto.zoom.us\/meeting\/register\/tZEtdeGuqzguEtyOQ4uoxK-kQd2ikfZqk1JJ. Confirmation of registration will be emailed containing information about joining the meeting.<\/p>\n