(January 19, 2016)<\/p>\n
By: CTV Windsor<\/p>\n
The Ontario Federation of Labour and the Ontario Common Front have joined the Ontario Health Coalition in Windsor to protest cuts to Ontario hospitals and social programs.<\/p>\n
The groups gathered outside pre-budget consultations in Windsor.<\/p>\n
“Here in Windsor, we are seeing the effects of austerity in every community, \u201csaid OFL president Chris Buckley. \u201cHospital cuts, hydro privatization, mounting student debt, precarious jobs and Canada’s lowest social program funding are taking their toll in every neighbourhood.<\/p>\n
He says it\u2019s time for the provincial government to lay out a plan for restoring public services, growing our economy, expanding Ontario’s revenue base and lifting standards for everyone.<\/p>\n
Buckley says the next Ontario budget shouldn’t be constrained by government cuts, it should create an Ontario in which everyone prospers.<\/p>\n
“Nine consecutive years of real-dollar cuts have plunged Ontario into last place in hospital funding.\u201d said Ontario Health Coalition executive director Natalie Mehra. \u201cPatients are being left on stretchers in hallways, surgeries are being cancelled and vital health services are being privatized, subject to user fees, or moved out of town.”<\/p>\n
Last week, CEO David Musyj of Windsor Regional Hospital said they plan to replace 80 Registered Nurses with 80 Registered Practical Nurses.<\/p>\n
The net impact then is 86 job reductions overall due to a funding shortfall.<\/p>\n
Consultations of the Ontario Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs are taking place at Caesars Windsor on Tuesday.<\/p>\n