{"id":30797,"date":"2025-07-24T15:31:18","date_gmt":"2025-07-24T19:31:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ontariohealthcoalition.ca\/?p=30797"},"modified":"2025-07-29T12:51:20","modified_gmt":"2025-07-29T16:51:20","slug":"roundup-brief-update-media-coverage-photos-from-our-shadow-summit-rallies-at-the-council-of-the-federation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ontariohealthcoalition.ca\/index.php\/roundup-brief-update-media-coverage-photos-from-our-shadow-summit-rallies-at-the-council-of-the-federation\/","title":{"rendered":"ROUNDUP:<\/FONT> Brief Update, Media Coverage & Photos from our Shadow Summit & Rallies at the Council of the Federation"},"content":{"rendered":"

(July 24, 2025)<\/p>\n

Please find below a roundup, pictures, media coverage, and links a joint statement by health coalitions across Canada.<\/em><\/p>\n

We put health care on the national agenda again!
\n<\/strong>Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to all of you who helped.\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

On Tuesday July 22, hundreds of public health care advocates rallied outside where all the provincial\/territorial Premiers from across Canada and Prime Minister Carney were meeting. Our message was that we want Canada to do well as we re-forge our national identity in the international crisis created by Donald Trump. However, the proposed $25 billion (yes, that is billions of dollars) in cuts to funding for public services like health care would be devastating to those things that make Canada better and unique from the U.S. Those successful nation building projects from the last century —\u00a0 like public health care and our public services, environmental and health and safety protections, and the first baby steps toward reconciliation with First Nations and Indigenous peoples — cannot be sacrificed in order to shift billions to border militarization and mega projects.<\/p>\n

To our members and supporters the message was this. If the only pressure they face is from Donald Trump, we will lose the things of which we are most proud.<\/p>\n

With this in mind, the Ontario Health Coalition, the Canadian Health Coalition and Ontario Federation of Labour hosted a Shadow Summit just down the road from the premiers’ meeting on Monday July 21 followed by a car cavalcade and rallies on Tuesday. Joining us from across Canada were Health Coalitions, patients, patient advocates, nurses, doctors, care workers and their unions, mental health advocacy organizations, environmental groups, Indigenous organizations, seniors\u2019 groups, and more. It was an incredible two day effort.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Helen Lee & Judy Rivard, Halton Health Coalition<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Tracy Glynn & Steven Staples, Canadian Health Coalition<\/em><\/p>\n

At the Shadow Summit, advocates from across the country shared updates about the open crisis in public health care and how it is being experienced in different provinces, the privatization being pushed by premiers like Doug Ford and Danielle Smith, and where the fightback to stop privatization has succeeded. We were really pleased to have representatives from the Health Coalitions in B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Quebec and Nova Scotia join us. Patient advocates from the mental health and addictions sector and representatives from communities facing hospital closures joined in, as well as health care workers and their unions from all across Canada.<\/p>\n

The next day, we formed a car cavalcade that travelled to outside the Deerhurst Resort where all the premiers and Carney were meeting, continued down Highway 60, and culminated in a final very visible rally at the corner of Highway 60 and Highway 11. We stood in support behind First Nations and Indigenous peoples who are fighting to protect their treaty rights, finally achieve access to clean and safe water, and get the health care services their communities need.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Ayendri Riddell, BC Health Coalition<\/em>
\n& Noah Schulz, Manitoba Health Coalition<\/em><\/p>\n

A huge and heartfelt thank you for everything you did to make this event happen, from driving hours or flying to Huntsville to show your support, spreading news of the events, organizing people to attend, and so much more. This could not have happened without the support of each and every one of you.<\/p>\n

Please find below just a sample of some of the photos from the events. More photos have been uploaded to our Facebook album here<\/a><\/span>. We hope you are proud of our collective work together!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\nFrom left: Natalie Mehra, executive director, Ontario Health Coalition; Ramon Kataquapit, Oshkaatisak Youth Council, Nishnawbe Aski Nation; Jackie Taylor, Executive Vice President, Ontario Federation of Labour<\/em><\/p>\n

We were covered all day on CP24 on Monday and had lots of coverage on CBC radio as the Council of the Federation and First Ministers’ meetings progressed. In addition to that coverage, here is a sampling of how the media reported about our efforts and the response from politicians.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Feds have ‘short-changed’ Ontario on health-care funding: Ford<\/h1>\n

By\u00a0Jack Hauen<\/a>, The Trillium
\nJuly 23, 2025<\/p>\n

In a tale as old as time, the provinces are asking\u00a0Ottawa\u00a0for more health-care money.<\/p>\n

After meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney and among themselves, Canada’s premiers promised to improve access to medications and work to allow medical professionals to work anywhere in the country more easily.<\/p>\n

“Premiers also emphasized the importance of enhancing the Canada Health Transfer (CHT) and its escalator,” their end-of-session communique reads.<\/p>\n

Ontario Premier Doug Ford said his province should get its “fair share.”<\/p>\n

“On equalization and transfer payments, (which) at the end of the day, (go) into one big pot, we’re giving $26 billion of Ontario’s hard-earned taxpayers’ money over to the federal government,” he said.<\/p>\n

“I don’t think that’s fair,” Ford said, adding that he doesn’t have a problem “taking care of” smaller provinces and the territories.<\/p>\n

“In saying that, we need our fair share in health care,” he said.<\/p>\n

Ontario needs more doctors and nurses\u00a0as the province adds scores of newcomers and the population ages,\u00a0Ford said.<\/p>\n

In terms of an increase, Ontario needs “more than what they gave us last time,” he said.<\/p>\n

“I’ve always said, it doesn’t matter if it’s Mark Carney or the previous prime minister, we got short-changed, as far as I’m concerned,” he said. “We said last time, it was a good down payment.”<\/p>\n

Ford was referring to an\u00a0$8.4 billion health funding\u00a0increase<\/a>, spread over 10 years, negotiated with the federal government in 2023. A spokesperson for the premier said that\u00a0amounts to a 0.9 per cent increase year-over-year.<\/p>\n

The Ford government increased its health spending by two per cent this year, but\u00a0is planning to hold future spending increases to less than the rate of inflation<\/a>\u00a0to balance the budget by 2027-28.<\/p>\n

….<\/p>\n

A protest on Tuesday from public health-care advocates called on premiers not to lose focus on health amid trade talks.<\/p>\n

Ontario is already seeing “open, two-tiered Medicare,” Ontario Health Coalition executive director Natalie Mehra said, pointing to\u00a0patients<\/a>\u00a0who say they were upsold<\/a>\u00a0or duped into paying more at private clinics.<\/p>\n

“There’s no question that these private clinics are a fatal threat to single-tier public Medicare,” she said.<\/p>\n

Ontario\u00a0recently expanded<\/a> the types of procedures\u00a0private health clinics can deliver.<\/p>\n

Link to original, paywalled article: https:\/\/www.thetrillium.ca\/insider-news\/health\/feds-have-short-changed-ontario-on-health-care-funding-ford-10980553<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After ‘lost opportunity’ First Nations meeting, Ford says he wants to collaborate<\/h1>\n

By\u00a0Jack Hauen<\/a>, The Trillium
\nJuly 23, 2025<\/p>\n

Economic issues took centre stage on Tuesday as Canada’s political leaders gathered in Huntsville to present a united front against American tariffs and figure out how to get major projects moving quicker.<\/p>\n

But between meetings with Prime Minister Mark Carney and memorandum-signing photo ops, Premier Doug Ford found time to weigh in on his relationship with Indigenous leaders and the electric vehicle industry \u2014 while protesters next door called on premiers to do more to ensure the future of public health care.<\/p>\n

‘I just want to work in collaboration’: Ford on First Nations<\/h3>\n

Ford softened\u00a0comments he made on Monday suggesting he wouldn’t move forward with resource projects without\u00a0First Nations’ say-so.<\/p>\n

“Well, you can’t move forward without their collaboration and their buy-in,” Ford said after Monday’s meeting between First Nations leaders and Canada’s premiers<\/a>, which one grand chief called a “lost opportunity.”<\/p>\n

Ford added,\u00a0“I can’t do something if they don’t want to do it.”<\/p>\n

Asked on Tuesday if these comments amounted to granting First Nations veto power over major projects, the premier demurred.<\/p>\n

“I just want to work in collaboration,” he said. “What we’re trying to do, and they know this,\u00a0we’re trying to make their lives better. We’re trying to make their kids’ and their grandchildren’s\u00a0lives better. No one is treating them better.”<\/p>\n

Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler said he hoped journalists recorded Ford’s earlier comments.<\/p>\n

“Because, you know, there’s a court case happening right now. That will probably be used in (the case),” he said on Monday.<\/p>\n

Ford said on Tuesday that he and\u00a0Fiddler go way back, but suggested the grand chief is in the minority when it comes to relations with the province.<\/p>\n

“I’ve known Alvin\u00a0from Day 1. He’s a good person. But\u00a0I can assure you, I’m getting endless calls from chiefs from around the province saying, ‘I want to be part of this. I want to be part of the economic zones<\/a>.’ And those who want it, we’re going to work with them. Those who don’t, they’re going to lose out. Simple as that,” he said.<\/p>\n

Fiddler said he didn’t think Ford was telling the truth about those calls.<\/p>\n

“To be blunt, I don’t believe\u00a0that,” he said on Monday.<\/p>\n

‘The market will decide’ on EVs<\/h3>\n

Ford said he is prepared to continue government spending on\u00a0electric vehicles,\u00a0but that it’ll be the invisible hand that decides the outcome \u2014 not his.<\/p>\n

At a press conference with Ford and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe on Tuesday, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith noted nine “bad laws” she hoped the prime minister would repeal or rewrite, an ask co-signed by\u00a0Ford. Among those laws is the commitment to get to\u00a0100 per cent zero-emission\u00a0new light-duty vehicle sales\u00a0by 2035.<\/p>\n

Ford was asked how the request to axe that commitment jives with his past enthusiasm for EVs \u2014 an industry into which he has poured billions in subsidies in an effort to make Ontario “the number one manufacturer of electric battery-operated cars in North America.”<\/p>\n

“I always believe, I’m a big proponent of, the market dictates. The market will dictate, not governments will dictate,” he said.<\/p>\n

Canada, Ontario and Quebec have spent\u00a0a combined\u00a0$52.5\u00a0billion<\/a>\u00a0on EV subsidies since 2020, a report from the parliamentary budget officer found last year.<\/p>\n

“Let’s continue investing. I’m confident that eventually the EV sector, per se, will continue growing. But right now, the people are going to decide. But let’s not slow down on building the battery plants and any other EV plants,” Ford said.<\/p>\n

Several automakers\u00a0have scaled back<\/a> EV investments as demand has slowed.<\/p>\n

‘Shadow summit’ warns of ‘two-tiered’ health care<\/h3>\n

While Canada’s political leaders worked to present a united front on trade and deregulation, a gathering next door\u00a0called\u00a0for a bigger focus on health care.<\/p>\n

“All of us want our country to do well,” Ontario Health Coalition executive director Natalie Mehra said in an opening address to guests at the “shadow summit,” hosted by her organization, the\u00a0Canadian Health Coalition\u00a0and the Ontario Federation of Labour.<\/p>\n

“But if the only pressure on (Canada’s political leaders) comes from the Trump side and corporations who are taking this opportunity … to cash in, then we’ll lose the things that matter most to us \u2014\u00a0the values of equity and compassion that underlie public health care for all,” as well as other social programs,\u00a0she said.<\/p>\n

Ontario is already seeing “open, two-tiered Medicare,” Mehra said, pointing to patients<\/a> who say they were upsold<\/a> or duped into paying more at private clinics.<\/p>\n

“We have thousands of patients who are being charged for all kinds of things when they go in for cataract surgeries,” she said.\u00a0“Very commonly now they’re paying $7,000,\u00a0$8,000, sometimes even $11,000 for the cataract surgery \u2014 a surgery that’s $500 under OHIP.”<\/p>\n

“There’s no question that these private clinics are a fatal threat to single-tier public Medicare, to the principle that you get health care based on your medical need and not your ability to pay,” she said.<\/p>\n

The Ontario Health Coalition has called on<\/a> the federal government to\u00a0take \u201call possible actions to bring Ontario into compliance so that patients are protected.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ontario recently expanded<\/a> the types of procedures private health clinics can deliver.<\/p>\n

Link to original article:\u00a0https:\/\/www.thetrillium.ca\/municipalities-newsletter\/after-lost-opportunity-first-nations-meeting-ford-says-he-wants-to-collaborate-10984481<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Healthcare workers and advocates protest outside Council of the Federation<\/h1>\n

By Mauricio Prado<\/a>, MyMuskokaNow
\nJuly 22, 2025<\/p>\n

More than a hundred healthcare workers and advocates gathered outside the Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville on July 22 to protest the privatization of healthcare across Canada.<\/p>\n

The local resort is where Canada\u2019s 13 Premiers and the Prime Minister are hosting the Council of the Federation.<\/p>\n

Jason MacLean, chair of the Canadian Health Coalition, said they want to get the attention of the provincial and federal governments, as all provinces are in a \u201chealthcare crisis.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWithout a healthy population, we\u2019re never going to have a healthy economy,\u201d said MacLean. \u201cWhat we\u2019re really trying to put through to everybody is that we need universally accessible, publicly funded, publicly delivered health care. And that\u2019s what\u2019s needed here in Canada today.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to MacLean, over half of the surgeries in Ontario right now are being performed at private care clinics.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt makes a weaker public sector and public services that are going forward are stopping because everybody\u2019s going to the private healthcare,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Natalie Mehra, Executive Director of the Ontario Health Coalition, said they do not want Canada to succumb to the pressures of the United States.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe forge our new national identity in this international crisis. We have to forge a new national identity in keeping with our core values as Canadians,\u201d said Mehra.<\/p>\n

Erin Ariss, registered nurse and president of the Ontario Nurses Association, said the current working conditions of healthcare workers are a direct result of the Ford government and their conservative cuts and privatization.<\/p>\n

\u201cSince Ford became the premier in 2018, he has underfunded and cut every sector of health care in Ontario, and that\u2019s a shame,\u201d said Ariss.<\/p>\n

She said Ford is spending their public dollars on 900 new private clinics and paying private for-profit staffing agencies\u00a0billions of dollars instead of retaining and recruiting front-line staff.<\/p>\n

\u201cHealthcare is a basic human right,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Link to original article:\u00a0https:\/\/www.mymuskokanow.com\/144714\/featured\/healthcare-workers-and-advocates-protest-outside-council-of-the-federation\/<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Grey Bruce Health Coalition Promoted Healthcare While Prime Minister, Premiers Met In Muskoka<\/h1>\n

By\u00a0Nathan Shubert<\/a>, Bayshore Broadcasting
\nJuly 24, 2025<\/p>\n

The Grey Bruce Health Coalition was promoting rural healthcare this week while Canada\u2019s top politicians met to discuss trade.<\/p>\n

Coalition Chair Brenda Scott says they joined the Canadian Health Coalition and other health coalitions in Huntsville between Monday and Wednesday, while Prime Minister Mark Carney sat down with Canada\u2019s premiers at Deerhurst Resort.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe support supporting Canada and the trade negotiations, but we are just trying to ask that it not be at the cost of our excellent healthcare system,\u201d says Scott.<\/p>\n

While in Muskoka, Scott says she met health coalitions from other provinces and participated in workshops and discussions at Hidden Valley Resort, a short distance away from Deerhurst.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was interesting to learn about the commonalities that we have province to province. The rural healthcare issues that we are facing in Grey Bruce is mirrored in every other province. They have examples of the same thing, but it is good to be able to join together, share ideas, and possibly work on some projects in the future,\u201d says Scott.<\/p>\n

Additionally, Scott took part in a couple of cavalcade rallies at Hidden Valley and Deerhurst, which she says had a couple of hundred people participating.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was able to speak at the rally at Deerhurst about the rural healthcare issue and other people spoke from their point of view as well. It was exciting and interesting and a lot of participation,\u201d says Scott.<\/p>\n

She says while none of the premiers or Carney came out to address the group, based on the noise they were making, she is sure the politicians knew the coalitions were there.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have had very little mention. Most of the coverage has been about the trade talks, which are important, we recognize that too. We didn\u2019t actually meet with them, but we laid the groundwork and I am sure they will be expecting to hear more from us,\u201d says Scott.<\/p>\n

She is concerned, however, that as Canada\u2019s premiers and Prime Minister focus their attention on trade discussions, healthcare will take a backseat.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want to make a noise and say Canada is identified internationally by its universal healthcare system and we want you to focus on preserving that,\u201d says Scott.<\/p>\n

She says the coalition is currently working on a petition to call on Prime Minister Carney to enforce the Canada Health Act. The act is a federal legislation for publicly funded healthcare, ensuring access to insured health services for all Canadians.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Canada Health Act is a fabulous document that has been weakened in several different ways, people kind of trim the edges here and there,\u201d says Scott. \u201cIn October, we are going to be delivering that message to the federal government, we are going to collect signatures all through summer.\u201d<\/p>\n

Scott says she is hopeful they will be able to work with other Canadian Health Coalition\u2019s to address healthcare.<\/p>\n

Link to original article: https:\/\/www.bayshorebroadcasting.ca\/2025\/07\/24\/grey-bruce-health-coalition-promotes-healthcare-while-prime-minister-premiers-meet-in-muskoka\/<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Protesters gather to condemn Ford\u2019s health care, Bill 5 policies<\/h1>\n

By Rob Ferguson<\/a>, Toronto Star
\nJuly 22, 2025<\/p>\n

Several dozen protesters from the Ontario Health Coalition and other groups have gathered across the road from Deerhurst Resort to blast what they call Premier Doug Ford\u2019s increasing \u201cprivatization\u201d of health care and take shots at his Bill 5, fast-tracking mines and other infrastructure development, for overriding environmental and Indigenous treaty protections.<\/p>\n

Link to original, paywalled article:\u00a0https:\/\/www.stcatharinesstandard.ca\/politics\/federal\/protesters-gather-to-condemn-fords-health-care-bill-5-policies\/article_4bcfcdbe-7271-5ec8-8936-1d5452356f3d.html<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Advocates work to put health care on the radar as premiers meet in Ontario<\/h1>\n

By Sarah Ritchie, The Canadian Press
\nJuly 21, 2025<\/p>\n

OTTAWA \u2014 As Canada’s premiers gather in Ontario’s cottage country to talk tariffs and trade, health-care advocacy groups are trying to streamline their own messages to ensure the country’s fragile health system remains on the agenda.<\/p>\n

“The government has focused on the economy of the country, and what we’re trying to stress is that the most valuable asset to a government is really having a healthy community. So, healthy community leads to healthy economy,” said Dr. Margot Burnell, president of the Canadian Medical Association.<\/p>\n

The post-pandemic crisis in health care took centre stage at the Council of the Federation in recent years as premiers pushed Ottawa for more funding.<\/p>\n

This year, however, advocates worry that health system staff shortages and long wait times will take a back seat as the premiers focus on the economy.<\/p>\n

Burnell said the health sector employs some three million people and contributes billions of dollars to the economy. Health spending also makes up a massive portion of provincial and territorial budgets.<\/p>\n

The Canadian Medical Association and the Canadian Nurses Association are working to convince premiers to harmonize their licensing systems to break down interprovincial barriers to labour mobility.<\/p>\n

The government’s One Canadian Economy Act included clauses to ensure provincial and territorial licences and certifications are recognized at the federal level, and to make it easier for workers to get a federal licence.<\/p>\n

It did not make any such changes to health-care licensing, which is a provincial responsibility.<\/p>\n

The CMA has long called for a pan-Canadian licence for physicians, which it argues would allow more doctors to work in rural and remote parts of the country without having to go through the lengthy and expensive application process in other provinces.<\/p>\n

Many doctors struggle to find replacements when they take time off for vacation or parental leave, the association said.<\/p>\n

The Atlantic provinces have joined together to create a registry system that allows physicians from anywhere in the region to have their licences recognized in all four provinces.<\/p>\n

Burnell said the CMA feels it’s getting great traction on the issue.<\/p>\n

“We’ve chatted with several ministers about this, both federally and provincially. So I think we can convene a table to try to move this forward,” she said.<\/p>\n

The national association representing nurses is lobbying for similar changes.<\/p>\n

“Fragmented nursing licensure and regulation limit the mobility of our health workforce and delay care,” said Canadian Nurses Association president Kimberly LeBlanc in a media statement.<\/p>\n

“A co-ordinated approach would not only improve access to health services, it would also support a more agile, competitive economy.”<\/p>\n

Steven Staples, the Canadian Health Coalition’s national director of policy and advocacy, said there’s a greater sense of co-operation among the premiers and the federal government than he’s seen in recent years.<\/p>\n

“Canadians like to see our politicians co-operating on issues of national concern, and that extends to health care. So we’re looking to see this spirit of collaboration,” he said.<\/p>\n

Staples said his group wants to emphasize the need for a strong public health-care system in times of economic turmoil.<\/p>\n

The Canadian Health Coalition is also trying to understand the slow pace of uptake in the federal pharmacare program, the first phase of which is underway now.<\/p>\n

Only B.C., Manitoba, P.E.I. and Yukon have signed agreements with Ottawa to fund the cost of free contraceptives and diabetes medications. While Staples said the spring federal election was likely a factor, he pointed out that the negotiations were underway before that.<\/p>\n

New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt campaigned on a promise to cover the cost of contraceptives but has not yet signed a deal with the federal government.<\/p>\n

“So why is New Brunswick leaving roughly $136 million on the table? We don’t know why and we want to find out,” Staples said.<\/p>\n

Link to original article:\u00a0http:\/\/www.barrietoday.com\/national-news\/advocates-work-to-put-health-care-on-the-radar-as-premiers-meet-in-ontario-10970296<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Huntsville road closures in place for premiers\u2019 meeting and protest<\/h1>\n

By Kim Phillips, CTV News Barrie
\nJuly 22, 2025<\/p>\n

Motorists in and around Huntsville will notice several road closures on Tuesday and Wednesday this week as the Premiers\u2019 Meeting<\/a> gets underway at Deerhurst Resort.<\/p>\n

Provincial police announced temporary road closures to manage traffic and ensure public safety along Deerhurst Road.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a breakdown of the specific road closures and restrictions in place:<\/p>\n