ADVISORY CORRECTION: Volunteers in Communities Across Ontario are Mounting Referendum to Save Local Hospitals

Posted: April 22, 2016

(April 22, 2016)

*PLEASE NOTE: The Sudbury media launch has been postponed until further notice. 

 

Ontario is currently in the ninth consecutive year of real-dollar cuts to global hospital budgets, the longest stretch in Ontario’s history. These cuts mean that hospitals across the province, cannot keep up even with basic inflation. Hospitals have been cut to the point of dangerous overcrowding and understaffing and patients are paying the price.

 

On Monday April 25, details about a volunteer-led, cross-Ontario referendum will be announced at a highly visual media event in Toronto and conjointly at media events across the province.

 

Visuals   Great photo ops! Each community will feature a highly visual launch, with giant prop ballots, ballot boxes, balloons, umbrellas, banners and more!

 

When & Where

Monday April 25

Toronto 10 a.m., northwest corner of Gerrard St. W. & Elizabeth St. with hospital emergency sign visible in background. Visual: giant prop ballots, ballot box and scissors. Contact: Natalie Mehra 416-441-2502 or Kim Johnston 416-441-2502.

 

Niagara 10:30 a.m., sidewalk near King St. entrance of Welland Hospital. Visual: crowd with “Save Welland Hospital” signs.

 

Ottawa 10:30 a.m., Centretown Community Health Centre (Room 209), 420 Cooper St. Visual: balloons, giant prop ballot, ballot boxes and banners.

 

Stratford 10:30 a.m., corner of John St. & Cambria St., near Stratford General Hospital. Visual: giant prop ballot, ballot box and red balloons.

 

Kawartha Lakes 11 a.m., sidewalk near Ross Memorial Hospital (east side of Angeline St.), Lindsay. Visual: giant prop ballot, banners and red balloons.

 

Peterborough 11 a.m., sidewalk outside of emergency department on Hospital Dr., Peterborough Regional Health Centre.

 

**SUDBURY EVENT POSTPONED UNTIL LATER DATE.

 

**Corrected: please note the start-time has changed — Windsor 11:30 a.m., Windsor Campaign Office, 3719 Walker Rd. Visual: giant prop ballot box, ballot and balloons.

 

Oxford County 12 p.m., Thames St. S. Gazebo, Ingersoll. Visual: balloons and brightly coloured umbrellas.

 

Sault Ste. Marie 12 p.m., sidewalk at corner of Great Northern Rd. & Lukenda Dr. near entrance to Sault Area Hospital. Visual: Massive visual unveiling of campaign with red balloons and umbrellas.

 

Guelph 1 p.m., sidewalk near emergency sign at Guelph General Hospital (Delhi entrance). Visual: giant prop ballot and ballot box.

 

Hamilton 1 p.m., sidewalk at corner of Barton St. E. & Victoria Ave. N., near Hamilton General Hospital. Visual: banners and umbrellas.

 

North Bay 1 p.m., North Bay Campaign Office, 573 Fraser St. Visual: giant prop scissors, ballot and ballot boxes.

 

London 4:15 p.m., sidewalk near emergency department entrance, east side of Victoria Hospital, 800 Commissioners Rd. E. Visual: red balloons, banners and more!

 

 

Northumberland – Please note: Northumberland is doing a separate event. There will be a highly visual rally this Saturday April 23, 12 noon, at the sidewalk at the corner of Burnham St. & DePalma Dr., near Northumberland Hills Hospital in Cobourg, at which time embargoed information about the referendum launch will be provided for Monday.

 

What                  Media events to launch Ontario-wide volunteer-led referendum.

 

Who                   Ontario Health Coalition and local coalitions across Ontario.

 

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For more information: contact Natalie Mehra, executive director, Ontario Health Coalition, 416-441-2502; Kim Johnston, campaign director, Ontario Health Coalition, 416-441-2502.