{"id":30942,"date":"2025-09-22T15:50:36","date_gmt":"2025-09-22T19:50:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ontariohealthcoalition.ca\/?p=30942"},"modified":"2025-09-24T13:54:46","modified_gmt":"2025-09-24T17:54:46","slug":"advisory-protests-against-ford-governments-expanding-hospital-privatization-plans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ontariohealthcoalition.ca\/index.php\/advisory-protests-against-ford-governments-expanding-hospital-privatization-plans\/","title":{"rendered":"ADVISORY:<\/FONT> Protests Against Ford Government\u2019s Expanding Hospital Privatization Plans"},"content":{"rendered":"

(September 22, 2025)<\/p>\n

Across Ontario\u2013 \u201cThe Ford government is privatizing our public hospitals in a move that is costing patients thousands of dollars and taking away from our local public hospital services. Everyone\u2019s help is needed to pressure them to stop it.\u201d That is the message brought by Natalie Mehra, executive director of the Ontario Health Coalition, a network of patient advocates and public interest groups representing three quarters of a million Ontarians and more than 500 organizations concerned about protecting and improving public health care.<\/p>\n

She went on to warn, the threat is very real: \u201cWhen they privatized thousands of cataract surgeries, Doug Ford did a pre-emptive round of media promising that people would never pay with their credit card, only their OHIP card<\/span><\/a>. He swore our health services would remain \u201c100% covered\u201d<\/a><\/span>. That is untrue. Patients are now routinely charged thousands of dollars in private for-profit eye surgery clinics. Instead of stopping it, the Ford government is actually expanding<\/em> its privatization.\u201d<\/p>\n

In response, protests across Ontario are planned as follows:<\/p>\n

Greater Toronto Area<\/u><\/p>\n

Toronto<\/strong>
\nWednesday, Sept 24 from 4:30 pm to 6 pm \u2013 human chain on Hospital Row (University Ave, south of College St.)
\nContact:\u00a0greatertorontohc@gmail.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Mississauga<\/strong>
\nSaturday, Sept 27 at 11:15 am to 1:30 pm \u2013 Cawthra Rd & QEW overpass
\nContact: Ken Cole\u00a0mississaugahc@gmail.com<\/a>\u00a0416-524-8335<\/p>\n

Oshawa<\/strong>
\nMonday, Sept 29 at 1 pm \u2013 Alexandra Park near Oshawa Hospital
\nContact: Lance\u00a0koach_14@yahoo.com<\/a>\u00a0905-431-0823 or\u00a0president20226364@hotmail.com<\/a><\/p>\n

London & area<\/u><\/p>\n

London<\/strong>
\nThursday, Sept 25 at 11 am \u2013 Wellington Rd overpass at Highway 401
\nContact: Peter Bergmanis\u00a0pbergmanis@rogers.com<\/a>\u00a0519-860-4403<\/p>\n

St. Thomas<\/strong>
\nSaturday, Oct 4 at 10 am \u2013 Talbot & Manitoba St, CASO Station area
\nContact: Peter Bergmanis\u00a0pbergmanis@rogers.com<\/a>\u00a0519-860-4403<\/p>\n

Hamilton & area<\/u><\/p>\n

Hamilton<\/strong>
\nFriday, Sept 26 at 3:30 pm \u2013 Office of MPP Monica Ciroello, 1030 Upper James Street
\nContact: Janina Lebon\u00a0janinalebon44@gmail.com<\/a>\u00a0905-545-5514<\/p>\n

West\/Southwest Ontario<\/u><\/p>\n

Kitchener<\/strong>
\nSaturday, Oct 4 at 11 am \u2013 Sportsworld, 4285 King St E. on the public sidewalk near the Tim Hortons & the new CTV offices
\nContact: Jim Stewart\u00a0waterlooregionhealthcoalition@gmail.com<\/a>\u00a0519-588-5841<\/p>\n

Kincardine
\n<\/strong>Saturday, Sept 27 from 11 am to 1 pm \u2013 Kincardine Davidson Park
\nContact: Brenda Scott\u00a0greybrucehc@gmail.com<\/a>\u00a0519-375-5812<\/p>\n

Owen Sound<\/strong>
\nSaturday, Sept 27 from 11 am to 1 pm \u2013 Owen Sound Municipal Office, 808 2nd Ave E.
\nContact: Brenda Scott\u00a0greybrucehc@gmail.com<\/a>\u00a0519-375-5812<\/p>\n

Oxford County<\/strong> – one rally per week for the next month as follows:
\nContact for all: Bryan Smith at\u00a0bryasmit@oxford.net<\/a>\u00a0226-228-8309<\/p>\n

Tillsonburg<\/strong>
\nFriday, Sept 26 at 3 pm \u2013 Highway 19 & Bridge St.<\/p>\n

Embro<\/strong>
\nFriday, Oct 3 at 3 pm \u2013 Embro Rd at Highlander<\/p>\n

Tavistock<\/strong>
\nFriday, Oct 10 at 3 pm \u2013 Post Office, 5 Woodstock St. S.<\/p>\n

Woodstock<\/strong>
\nFriday, Oct 17 at 3 pm \u2013 Huron St. & Dundas St.<\/p>\n

Ingersoll<\/strong>
\nFriday, Oct 24 at 3 pm \u2013 King & Thames<\/p>\n

Norwich<\/strong>
\nFriday, Oct 31 at 3 pm \u2013 Main St & Oxford Rd 59<\/p>\n

Sarnia<\/strong>
\nSaturday, Sept 27 from 11 am to 1 pm \u2013 London Rd. & Murphy Rd.
\nContact: June Weiss\u00a0junebug111@hotmail.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Windsor<\/strong>
\nSaturday, Sept 27 at 11 am \u2013 Ouellette Ave & Tecumseh Rd.
\nContact: Patrick Hannon\u00a0windsorhealthcoalition@gmail.com<\/a>\u00a0519-796-0410<\/p>\n

Eastern Ontario<\/u><\/p>\n

Kingston<\/strong>
\nMonday, 29 Sept from 4 pm to 5 pm \u2013 Bath Rd & Princess St. (also known as the traffic circle)
\nContact: Joan Jardin\u00a0kingstonhealthcoalition@gmail.com<\/a>\u00a0613-305-2716<\/p>\n

Last spring, the Coalition made a formal complaint to the Ford government with details and proof of payment from 50 patients<\/span><\/a> who had been charged illegally and unethically in private clinics. The Ford government has not required the reimbursement of the patients, nor stopped the clinics. In fact, there is no apparent progress on the investigation. Some examples of recent patient experiences:<\/p>\n