News + Events

City’s overcrowded hospital needs beds, money: Coalition; ‘It is time to rebuild our public health care’ it tells province

(January 24, 2020) By: Sudbury Star Amid a report that Health Sciences North is one of Ontario’s most overcrowded hospitals, a local health coalition is calling for more money and beds for the city’s primary health facility. “We are repeatedly told that plans are underway,” Dorothy Klein wrote in a pre-budget submission to the Standing […]

New Report Says GNGH One of the Most Overcrowded Hospitals in Ontario

(January 23, 2020) By: Matt Holmes, NewsTalk 610 CKTB Matt Holmes speaks with Executive Director of the Ontario Health Coalition Natalie Mehra regarding a new report calling Greater Niagara General Hospital in Niagara Falls one of the most overcrowded hospitals in Ontario. Listen to the 14 minute audio interview here

Preston Springs Hotel, GRT Strike, and Go Trains

(January 23, 2020) By: The Mike Farwell Show, 570 News Kitchener Listen to Mike Farwell discuss hallway medicine beginning at 65:57 and interview Natalie Mehra, Executive Director of Ontario Health Coalition, about hospital overcrowding and the impact it has on patients from 67:17 – 83:57. Link to the audio interview here

‘Lack of resources’ costs London its top heart doc; Cardiac care no longer priority at deficit-bound LHSC, Bob Kiaii says

(January 23, 2020) By: Norman de Bono, Stratford Beacon-Herald London has lost its top heart doctor, who charges London Health Sciences Centre no longer considers cardiac care a top priority as it makes cuts to reduce its deficit. Bob Kiaii, former chief of cardiac care at LHSC and a pioneer in robotic-assisted cardiac surgery, has moved […]

Gates ‘shocked but not surprised’ by overcrowding stats at GNGH

(January 22, 2020) By: Richard Hutton, Niagara This Week Falls hospital over capacity for 176 of 181 days in first six months of 2019 Hallway medicine at Greater Niagara General Hospital in Niagara Falls highlighted in CBC report. – Julie Jocsak , Torstar Niagara Falls NDP MPP Wayne Gates says he’s “shocked but not surprised” […]

‘We’ve hit the wall:’ head of clinical operations says Hamilton General Hospital resources running thin

(January 22, 2020) By: Christine Rankin, CBC News Around one third of unfunded beds at the General are in hallways and sun rooms Hamilton General Hospital exceeded its total capacity almost every single day for acute care within the first six months of 2019— and its adult surgery unit has been overcapacity for the past three-and-a-half years. (Cory Ruf/CBC) […]

RELEASE & BACKGROUNDER: Province Ignored Repeated Warnings and Evidence Leading to Yesterday’s Declaration of “State of Emergency” in Brampton Hospital, Similar Issues Apply Across Ontario

(January 24, 2020) Following the city’s declaration of a health care emergency in Brampton, on the heels of CBC’s release of new hospital overcrowding data, the Ontario Health Coalition revealed repeated warnings and reports from the District Health Council, thousands of Brampton residents, the Ontario Health Coalition and other groups showing that the community’s hospital […]

At least 29 homicides in Ontario long-term care homes in the past 6 years: report

(January 21, 2019) By: Allison Jones, Global News TORONTO – There have been at least 29 homicides in long-term care homes in Ontario in the past six years, a health-care advocacy group said Monday. The Ontario Health Coalition released a report on violence in the homes, and the homicide numbers come from the coroner’s office, which […]

RELEASE: New CBC Hospital Overcrowding Data Should Compel Much More Substantive & Urgent Response from Ford Government: Health Coalition

(January 22, 2020) Toronto – Responding to the CBC’s release of new Ontario hospital overcrowding data that shows the majority of the province’s hospitals have been operating at gravely unsafe levels of overcrowding for more than a month out of the most recent six months measured, the Ontario Health Coalition reported that the data should […]

Ontario hospitals ask for nearly $1 billion to ease hallway health-care problem

(January 17, 2020) By: Rob Ferguson, Toronto Star Anthony Dale, president of the Ontario Hospital Association, seen here in April 11, 2017, says Ontario’s hospitals are the most efficient in Canada. – Bernard Weil / Toronto Star file photo Hallway health care will worsen unless Premier Doug Ford’s government spends more money to ease overcrowding in […]

How the hunt for profits has shaped Ontario’s home care system

(January 17, 2020) By: Zaid Noorsumar, Rabble.ca “I’m just sad that I’ve done [care work] for my whole career. My whole career has been taking care of people and trying to uphold a certain standard of care. And to come to this stage, so close to being able to retire and of course, I’m retiring […]

SUBMISSION: Ontario Health Coalition’s Pre-Budget Submission to the Ontario Legislative Assembly

(January 17, 2020) Natalie Mehra, Executive Director of the Ontario Health Coalition, presented to the Ontario Legislature’s Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs today. Here is the Ontario Health Coalition’s pre-budget submission. It contains updated data on public health care funding in Ontario (2nd lowest rate in Canada); public hospital funding in Ontario (lowest in […]

Ontario Health Coalition 2019 Assembly Recap

(January 6, 2020) The Ontario Health Coalition’s Annual Assembly was held this past November. The Assembly included insightful discussions on the future of healthcare funding, privatization, cuts to our services, and future plans. The list of provincial health care cuts, closures and policy changes by the Ford government were discussed in great detail by Natalie Mehra. […]

Personal support worker shortage plaguing Ontario nursing homes

(December 24, 2019) By: Zaid Noorsumar, Rabble.ca The predominantly female and often racialized workforce of Ontario’s personal support workers (PSWs) is bearing the brunt of a chronically underfunded long-term care system, according to a new report released on December 9 by Unifor and the Ontario Health Coalition. The report is based on eight roundtable discussions the organizations […]

Why a Toronto woman has spent 2 years in a hospital bed waiting for surgery

(December 12, 2019) By: Lisa Xing, CBC news Oula Jaber missed her daughter’s wedding and the birth of her granddaughter because she is in complex care, waiting for surgery. (Lisa Xing/CBC) The hum of oxygen being pumped into Oula Jaber’s lungs is constant. One look at the long, blue tube connected to her throat and it’s […]

ST. CLAIR COLLEGE WORKS ON ENDING PSW SHORTAGE

(December 11, 2019) By: Gord Bacon, iHeartRadio AM800 Personal Support Worker Program Co-ordinator Beth Szabo Verzoc (left) speaks to parents at the PSW Information night at St. Clair College’s Centre for Applied Sciences in Windsor on Thursday December 5, 2019. (Photo by AM800’s Gord Bacon) St. Clair College is making a push for more personal […]

City calls on province to halt health care cuts

(December 11, 2019) By: Tim Meeks, Belleville Intelligencer Councillor Pat Culhane presented a motion at Monday’s city council meeting calling for the City of Belleville to inform the Ontario government to halt all cuts to local health care services. Council passed the motion unanimously. TIM MEEKS JPG, BI The Friendly City has had enough of provincially […]

Hundreds at Health-Care Rally: ‘Political choices … and they can be changed’

(December 8, 2019) By: Taylor Blewett, Ottawa Citizen From public health to paramedics, calls for more — not less — funding from the provincial government for a range of health-care services dominated a Saturday rally at TD Place arena. It was the last in a series of rallies organized across the province by the Ontario […]

Action Demanded to End PSW Shortage in Ontario Long Term Care Homes

(December 8th, 2019) By: Tami Jeanneret, iheartradio.ca The Ontario Health Coalition is calling on the province to help end a shortage of Personal Support Workers in long term care homes. Coalition director Natalie Mehra says the shortage is at the crisis point. In a report released yesterday, the coalition found long term care operators are […]

Health Care Workers Protest Province’s Plan to Merge Health Care Units

(December 7th, 2019) By: Staff, CTVNewsOttawa.ca Hundreds of health care professionals came to Lansdowne Park to protest Premier Ford’s cuts to health care. The rally at TD Place featured speeches and music. It was organized by the Ontario Health Coalition and is in response to changes the Ford Government is making to health care across […]

REPORT: Caring in Crisis: Ontario’s Long-Term Care PSW Shortage

(December 9, 2019) Toronto – The Ontario Health Coalition released a new report today developed in partnership with UNIFOR on the Personal Support Worker (PSW) crisis in Ontario’s long-term care homes. In a press conference at the Ontario Legislature, Natalie Mehra, Executive Director of the Health Coalition, noted that we chose the word “crisis” carefully. […]

New health team model will improve patient care, minister pledges

(December 7, 2019) By: Laura Glowacki, CBC news On Friday the Ontario government unveiled the new Ottawa Health Team. The organization’s goals include improving the way patients transition from hospital care into home care. (Darron Cummings/The Associated Press) A new health care system unveiled in Ottawa Friday will help free up hospital beds and improve care […]

How red tape prevented this Toronto man from getting a health card for a year

(December 6, 2019) By: Lisa Xing, CBC news Jonathan King tried to get a health card at least half a dozen times, but kept getting turned away Jonathan King spent a year and several visits to Service Ontario before getting his health card. (Submitted ) A Toronto man has a story to tell about red tape […]

UPDATE: Briefing Note on Health Cuts & Restructuring In Ottawa and surrounding areas

(December 4, 2019) More than a year ago, during the provincial election, the Ford government promised to improve health care services by ending hallway medicine, improving funding for mental health care and expanding long-term care. The expectations of Ontarians were that health care services would be expanded. But in the provincial budget overall health care […]

Tories pushed to revisit health care changes

(November 30, 2019) By: Brian Kelly, The Sault Star Ontario Health Coalition protest at Algoma University’s George Leach Centre in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. (BRIAN KELLY/THE SAULT STAR/POSTMEDIA NETWORK) Ontario Health Coalition is pushing the provincial government to amend planned changes to Ontario’s health-care system. The activist coalition wants the […]

Hospitals pushing out patients ‘quicker and sicker’ due to cuts, Ontario Health Coalition says

(November 30, 2019) By: James Hopkin, Soo Today The Sault Ste. Marie Health Coalition – a group affiliated with the Ontario Health Coalition – led the call to end widespread cuts to provincial healthcare during a rally at the George Leach Centre Saturday. “I’m not doing this because of any kind of partisanship,” local coalition co-manager and […]

Local Rally Hopes to Push Back at Government Health Care Cuts

(November 30, 2019) By: Megan Pounder, Sault Online Local front-line heath care workers and Saultities joined forces with the Ontario Health Coalition and the Sault Ste. Marie Health Coalition on Saturday afternoon at the George Leech Centre, as part of a rally to push back at government cuts to health care in the province. “(These […]

Francois Legault and Doug Ford find common ground on immigration, healthcare and trade

(November 29, 2019) By: Matthew Lapierre, CTV News Montreal MONTREAL — The premiers of Quebec and Ontario had dinner with each other on Friday and released a joint statement after their meeting. The leaders found common ground on issues of immigration, healthcare and trade. In the statement, Francois Legault and Doug Ford said they discussed the importance […]

Rally aims to rouse public wrath over health cuts

(November 29, 2019) By: Jeff Ougler, Timmins Daily Press Keep Ontario health care healthy by cancelling current and proposed cuts. That’s the message architects of a Saturday rally here hope to deliver to the province. Co-ordinated by the Sault Ste. Marie Health Coalition, Ontario Health Coalition and a local committee comprised of many organizations and community groups, […]

LETTER: Reader voices concerns about provincial healthcare plan

(November 26, 2019) By: SooToday Staff SooToday has received the following letter to the editor from Saultite Marie DellaVedova on the Ontario government’s plans for public health care in the province: Open Letter to Fellow Residents of Sault Ste. Marie and Area: I wonder how many of us are aware of the Ontario government’s intent to drastically […]

Attempted privatization of health care is moving ahead, stealthily

(November 21, 2019) By: Linda McQuaig, The Peterborough Examiner Even more damaging than health care cuts may be the Ford government’s embrace of further privatization, evident in recent legislation creating a health superagency with vast new privatization powers, writes Linda McQuaig. – Steve Russell , Toronto Star It warms the soul to recall the day […]

UPDATE: Briefing Note on Health Cuts & Restructuring in Sault Ste. Marie/Algoma

(November 28, 2019) More than a year ago, during the provincial election, the Ford government promised to improve health care services by ending hallway medicine, improving funding for mental health care and expanding long-term care. The expectations of Ontarians were that health care services would be expanded. But in the provincial budget overall health care […]

Changes to health care system a costly mistake

(November 26, 2019) By: Sara McCleary, Sault This Week At the beginning of 2019, we learned of plans by the Doug Ford government to eliminate the province’s 14 local health integration networks in favour of merging all of Ontario’s health agencies under the umbrella of one “super agency.” Earlier this month, the government announced that work was […]

Two views on massive changes to Ontario health care

(November 25, 2019) By: Derek Dunn, Inside Ottawa Valley The Doug Ford government is proposing to cut ambulance services from 59 to 10, health units from 35 to 10, and consolidating six agencies under the umbrella Health Ontario. Will the revenue savings result in improved patient care? It depends on who you ask. The Doug […]

Nurses concerned they can’t provide proper care in crowded hospitals, says union

(Novemeber 22, 2019) By: Elizabeth Payne, Ottawa Citizen Sean McKenny from the Ottawa and District Labour Council talks to the media during a press conference in Ottawa Thursday Nov 21, 2019. Nurses are increasingly worried they are not fulfilling the requirements of their licenses because of the need to do more with less in crowded […]

UNION: Ottawa nurses worried about patient care while having to do more with less

(November 22, 2019) By: Elizabeth Payne, Ottawa Sun A file photo of part of the General campus of The Ottawa Hospital. Nurses are increasingly worried they are not fulfilling the requirements of their licenses because of the need to do more with less in crowded hospitals, says an Ottawa representative of the Ontario Nurses Association. […]

UPDATE: Mounting Health Care Cuts

List of the Ford government health care cuts to date: Cut OHIP+ so families with sick children will have to seek private coverage first and pay deductibles and co-payments (June 2018). Cut planned mental health funding by more than $330 million per year (July 2018). Cancelled all new planned overdose prevention sites. (Autumn 2018). Cut […]

Quinte West Council supports resolution to save local health care

(November 18, 2019) By: David Foot, Quintenews Quinte West Council is supporting a resolution from the Ontario Health Coalition to continue a campaign to “save local healthcare”. The resolution notes the negative impact of recent cutbacks on health care spending by the provincial government and has been circulated to municipalities across the province. In passing the […]

No PC ‘mandate’ for health revamp: Group

(November 13, 2019) By: Elizabeth Payne, Ottawa Sun A handful of people with the advocacy group Ottawa Health Coalition braved the cold outside The Ottawa Hospital’s Civic campus Monday to protest the state of health services in the province. Albert Dupuis, co-chairman of the Ottawa Health Coalition, said the group is planning a rally at […]

‘Ontario didn’t vote for this’: Group protests cuts to health services

(November 13, 2019) By: Elizabeth Payne, Ottawa Citizen From long wait lists for long-term care to people being treated in hospital hallways and ambulances being unable to unload their patients at overcrowded hospitals, Ontario’s health system is under stress and underfunded, a coalition of health workers, caregivers, parents and others said Tuesday. A handful of […]

Health coalition opens campaign office in the Sault

(Novemeber 12, 2019) By: James Hopkin, SooToday Volunteer-driven office to promote November 30 rally in Sault Ste. Marie protesting cuts to provincial healthcare. A ‘town crier’ was enlisted to announce the opening of the Sault Ste. Marie Health Coalition office Tuesday. A town crier – with a scroll and bell in tow, no less – […]

Hundreds protest Ontario health-care funding in downtown Toronto

(November 9, 2019) By: Albert Delitala, Global News Hundreds of people ranging from health professionals to patients gathered in Toronto’s Nathan Phillips Square on Saturday to protest the Ontario government’s approach to health care. “Once you lose something it’s really hard to get it back, so that’s why we have to fight to save these programs,” said […]

Thousands to protest provincial health care cuts in Toronto

(November 9, 2019) By: Durham Radio News Thousands are expected to rally against the Ford government’s health care cuts in Toronto. The rally is set for Sunday at 11:30 a.m. at Nathan Phillips Square. Unifor and the Ontario Health Coalition are among the dozens of organizations taking part in the event. In particular, protesters are […]

Protest Held At Nathan Phillips Square Over Ontario Health Care Cuts

(November 9, 2019) By: Katherine DeClerq, iHeartRadio Representatives from more than 50 organizations gathered at Nathan Phillips Square on Saturday afternoon to protest provincial cuts to healthcare services as well as the amalgamation of local health units in Ontario. The groups said they are protesting “real-dollar cuts” to public hospital funding as well as the […]

Rally against Ford government health care cuts

(November 9, 2019) By: City News Demonstrators gathered at Nathan Phillips Square Saturday to protest provincial cuts made to public health services. Initially, municipalities had varying public health cost-sharing arrangements with the province with the government paying 100 per cent of the cost in some cases. Under proposed changes introduced by the Ford government, all […]

Rally against Ford government health care cuts

(November 9, 2019) By: 680 News Demonstrators gathered at Nathan Phillips Square Saturday to protest provincial cuts made to public health services. Initially, municipalities had varying public health cost-sharing arrangements with the province with the government paying 100 per cent of the cost in some cases. Under proposed changes introduced by the Ford government, all […]

‘Extremely concerned’: Protesters decry Ontario health-care cuts, changes

(November 9, 2019) *Note: 600+ people estimated at the event By: CBC News Several groups and unions were involved in Saturday’s rally at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto. (CBC) Around 200 people protested cuts to Ontario health care on Saturday, decrying the Ford’s government’s planned changes to public health and ambulance services at a rally in Toronto. “We’re […]

Des Ontariens s’opposent à la centralisation des services de santé

(November 9, 2019) By: Radio Canada/CBC Plus de 50 organismes se sont rassemblés pour dénoncer les compressions budgétaires dans le secteur de santé et pour s’opposer à la centralisation de services de santé qui réduira selon eux l’accès aux soins médicaux. Le gouvernement ontarien veut créer une méga-agence de santé qui remplacera les réseaux locaux […]

Protest held at Nathan Phillips Square over Ontario healthcare cuts

(November 9, 2019) By: Katherine DeClerq, CTV News Toronto Representatives from more than 50 organizations gathered at Nathan Phillips Square on Saturday afternoon to protest provincial cuts to healthcare services as well as the amalgamation of local health units in Ontario. The groups said they are protesting “real-dollar cuts” to public hospital funding as well […]

Protest held at Nathan Phillips Square over Ontario healthcare cuts

(November 9, 2019) By: Katherine DeClerq, CP24.com Representatives from more than 50 organizations gathered at Nathan Phillips Square on Saturday afternoon to protest provincial cuts to healthcare services as well as the amalgamation of local health units in Ontario. The groups said they are protesting “real-dollar cuts” to public hospital funding as well as the […]

Proposing Better Health Care To People Across Ontario

(November 8, 2019) By: 104.7 HeartFM A member of the Oxford Coalition for Social Justice will present to Oxford County council next Wednesday, proposing they pass a resolution to the Ontario government on providing better public health care. OXFORD COUNTY – Among the delegations scheduled for next week’s Oxford County council meeting will be regarding […]

Editorial: Urgent-care centers a necessity in Niagara

(November 05, 2019) By: Kris Dube, St. Catharines Standard Even if it’s only to keep wait times within reasonable limits in Welland, Niagara Falls and St. Catharines, urgent-care centres in Fort Erie and Port Colborne must be kept open. “Unsupportable.” That’s what the Ontario Health Coalition calls Niagara Health’s plan to close urgent-care centres in […]

Editorial: Urgent-care centres a necessity in Niagara

(November 5, 2019) By: The Welland Tribune Niagara Health’s Port Colborne facility. – Kris Dube , Torstar file photo “Unsupportable.” That’s what the Ontario Health Coalition calls Niagara Health’s plan to close urgent-care centres in Fort Erie and Port Colborne after a new hospital opens in Niagara Falls, which is tentatively set to happen in 2026. […]

Health coalition rally takes aim at province; Public health amalgamations top list of concerns

(November 5, 2019) By: Trevor Terfloth, Chatham Daily News Activists, labour organizations and members of the public joined forces Saturday to voice their concerns about the provincial government’s health-care policies. Approximately 300 people, some of them arriving on a bus from other communities, attended the Ontario Health Coalition-hosted rally, at the John D. Bradley Convention Centre. The […]

Protesters rally against consolidation of health networks

(November 2, 2019) By: Ricardo Veneza, CTV Windsor Ontario Health Coalition file photo CHATHAM, Ont. — A rally in Chatham Saturday looked to challenge the Ford government’s direction on health care. Former CAW leader Ken Lewenza rallied supporters at the Bradley Centre in Chatham to pressure the province to move off its planned changes to […]

Health coalition rally in Chatham takes aim at province

(November 4, 2019) By: Trevor Terfloth, Wallaceburg Courier Press Health-care activists, labour organizations and members of the public joined forces Saturday to raise concerns with the direction the provincial government is taking on the issue. Approximately 300 people, some of them arriving on a bus from other communities, attended the rally, hosted by the Ontario Health Coalition […]

HEALTH COALITION PREPARING FOR MASSIVE RALLY

(November 1, 2019) By: Sydenham Current With the aim of calling on the provincial government to stop the cuts and eliminating local health care services, the Chatham-Kent and Ontario Health Coalitions are holding a rally on Saturday, November 2. Organizers say hundreds of local Chatham-Kent residents will be joined by approximately 150 people from across […]

Ontario Health Coalition to Hold Local Rally Protesting Health Cuts

(October 28, 2019) By: Megan Pounder, Sault Online The Ontario Health Coalition held a press conference at the Seniors Centre on Monday to announce an upcoming campaign to save local health care services. This campaign will take place in various places across Ontario, including an event at the George Leech Centre here in the Sault […]

Ontario Health Coalition to host healthcare protest in the Sault

(October 28, 2019) By: James Hopkin, Soo Today The Ontario Health Coalition has launched a new campaign aimed at stopping cuts to public health funding across the province, which includes reductions in public health units and local ambulance services. The campaign efforts will serve as a lead-up to a rally that’s scheduled to take place […]

City urging Ontario government to rethink health care changes

(October 28, 2019) By: Joelle Kovach, The Peterborough Examiner City councillors want to call on Ontario’s Progressive Conservative government to halt all its plans for mergers and funding cuts to health care in the province. At a meeting on Monday, council was expected to vote to send a resolution to Queen’s Park asking the government to […]

Strong union turnout for health-care rally

(November 5, 2019) By: Bruce Corcoran, Chatham Voice Provincial health-care advocates addressed a crowd of several hundred people Saturday in Chatham, sending a message to Queen’s Park that any cuts to the delivery of health-care services will be strongly opposed. Put on by the Ontario Health Coalition (OHC) and the Chatham-Kent Health Coalition, the rally, […]

‘The cuts are so draconian’

(October 28, 2019) By: Jeffrey Ougler, The Sault Star Provincial government promises to end hallway health care ring hollow — and upcoming rallies are geared to state this fact loud and clear, says Ontario Health Coalition. On Monday, the group unveiled its plan for a rally at noon, Nov. 30, at Algoma University’s George Leach Centre — […]

Health care rally to take place in Chatham

(November 1, 2019) By: Cheryl Johnstone, BlackburnNews A rally to save local health services is set to take place at the John D. Bradley Convention Centre on Saturday, November 2. The Chatham Kent Health Coalition (CKHC) is protesting proposed changes by the Ontario government to health services, like merging health units, and paramedic dispatch. “What […]

CALL-OUT: Mass Stadium-filling Events to Save the Services that Save Us! Posters, key materials and resources

(October 30, 2019) — Want to save our public health services? Want to save our Public Health Units, ambulance services, local hospitals and long-term care homes? Join us at our 4 stadium-filling events to save the services that save us. We are planning to fill four stadiums (or similar venues) across Ontario with thousands of […]

CALL-OUT: Municipal Council Motion to stop the Cuts, Eliminations, and Mergers of health care services

(October 30, 2019) — We are trying to pass a motion through all 444 municipalities in Ontario. It calls for the Ford government to halt the closures, mergers, and cuts to local health care services, particularly impacting Public Health Units, paramedic services and dispatch centres, as well as local hospitals and long-term care facilities. We are […]

Lambton County pushing against health care cuts

(October 24, 2019) By: Tyler Kula, Sarnia & Lambton County This Week Local health-care watchdogs and Sarnia’s mayor announced at Sarnia city hall they’re calling for community support to push for a reversal on planned provincial health care cuts. From left are Shirley Roebuck, with the Sarnia Lambton Health Coalition, ONA member Emily Webb, Sarnia […]

Health Coalition Opens Downtown Office

(October 18, 2019) By: 99.1 CKXS FM The Chatham-Kent Health Coalition is celebrating the opening of its new volunteer office in downtown Chatham as a part of a campaign to save local health care services. CK Health Coalition chair Shirley Roebuck cuts the ribbon on the group’s new volunteer office. Photo credit: Chris Taylor. Chair […]

Lambton pushing against health care cuts

(October 22, 2019) By: Tyler Kula, The Sarnia Observer Sarnia’s mayor and health care watchdogs are calling for the provincial government to back off plans to consolidate public health units in Ontario. Local health-care watchdogs and Sarnia’s mayor announced Tuesday at Sarnia city hall they’re calling for community support to push for a reversal on […]

Healthcare rally planned in Chatham

(October 22, 2019) By: Colin Gowdy, Blackburn News (From left to right) Shirley Roebuck, Emily Webb, Mayor Mike Bradley, Laurie Nancekivell at Sarnia City Hall. October 22, 2019. (Photo by Sarnia Lambton Health Coalition) Another major healthcare rally is planned in Chatham Saturday, November 2. The Sarnia Lambton Health Coalition wants to fill a bus […]

Health Coalition Holding Rally November 2

(October 11, 2019) By: Sydenham Current Groups from Chatham Kent and across Southwestern Ontario gathered on Thursday to build an event “that cannot be ignored.” The Chatham-Kent Health Coalition, along with the Ontario Health Coalition, gathered on Thursday for a press conference in Chatham. “Public health services save lives, prevent illness and injury, keep people […]

‘We can win this’

(October 10, 2019) By: Paul Pedro, Blackburn News Ontario Health Coalition kicks off “Save Health Care” campaign in Chatham. Oct 10, 2019. (Photo by Paul Pedro) The Ontario Health Coalition says it is confident it can win a fight to prevent health care mergers and save critical services. Major province-wide rallies are scheduled in November, […]

Municipalities pushing back over Ontario health care cuts

(October 23, 2019) By: Bryan Bicknell, CTV News London LONDON, Ont. — A movement among local jurisdictions opposing provincial government cuts to health care that began in southwestern Ontario appears be growing. It stems from the Doug Ford government’s move to reduce the number of health units in Ontario from 35 to 10 in a […]

Rallying The Troops For Health Care Fight

(October 11, 2019) By: 99.1 CKXS FM A group of local advocates is preparing for what it calls a David and Goliath battle with the province over cuts to health services in Ontario. “We’re extremely concerned, obviously,” Mehra says. “Public health services, ambulance services, dispatch services, local hospitals, long term care provide life-saving services, life-prolonging […]

“Now, Hospitals are becoming even more overcrowded because of that”

(October 16th, 2019) By: Bruce Corcoran, The Chatham Voice Shirley Roebuck, co-chair of the Chatham-Kent Health Coalition, speaks to reporters Oct. 10 as Natalie Mehra, executive director of the Ontario Health Coalition, looks on. They and others criticized the provincial government over the idea of reducing the number of public health units and EMS organizations […]

Mergers make little sense

(October 16, 2019) By: Chatham Voice Whenever local autonomy is lost to government-imposed service centralization, it leaves communities with many questions and concerns. Each community, including Chatham-Kent, is unique with its own set of local needs and issues to be addressed. So, it really is no surprise the Chatham-Kent Health Coalition is joining its Ontario […]

Health Coalition & Broad Array of Groups Launch Campaign to Build Mass Stadium-filling Event to Save Local Health Care Services

(Oct. 11, 2019) By: GlobeNewsWire Groups from Chatham Kent and across Southwestern Ontario are coming together to build an event that cannot be ignored. Their goal is to save the local Public Health Units and ambulance services from closure and protect their local governance. The groups are also advocating to stop funding cuts to public […]

London Health Coalition calls out Conservative candidate Liz Snelgrove

(October 11, 2019) By: Sayer Bogdan, Global News The London Health Coalition and Council of Canadians are demanding accountability from London West Conservative Candidate Liz Snelgrove. (Left to right) Roberta Cory with the Council of Canadians and Peter Bergmanis with the London Health Coalition. Sawyer Bogdan / 980 CFPL The London Health Coalition and the […]

Health coalition rally planned for Nov. 2

(October 11, 2019) By: Trevor Terfloth, Chatham News Citing grave concerns with cuts and mergers, health-care advocates are teaming up with labour organizations and First Nations to raise awareness on a larger scale. The Ontario Health Coalition held a media conference outside the Chatham-Kent Civic Centre last Thursday to launch its campaign and announce a […]

Ontario Health Coalition calls Niagara Health’s plans for the future ‘unsupportable’

(October 11, 2019) By: Kris Dubé, The Welland Tribune Niagara Health chief of staff Dr. Johan Viljoen and interim president Angela Zangari. – Kris Dube, Torstar Niagara Health is ignoring the needs of Fort Erie and Port Colborne residents with its planned closure of each community’s urgent care centre in the next few years, says […]

RELEASE: Health Coalition & Broad Array of Groups Launch Campaign to Build Mass “Stadium-filling” Event to Save Local Health Care Services

(October 10, 2019) Chatham/S/W Ontario – Groups from Chatham Kent and across Southwestern Ontario are coming together to build an event that cannot be ignored. Their goal is to save the local Public Health Units and ambulance services from closure and protect their local governance. The groups are also advocating to stop funding cuts to […]

LHSC, paramedics plan pilot to offload some patients to chairs, not beds

(September 3, 2019) By: Jennifer Bieman, The London Press Southwestern Ontario’s largest hospital and the London-area ambulance service are getting ready to let paramedics drop certain patients off in waiting room chairs when no hospital beds are available. Middlesex-London paramedics Don Black and Samantha Quinlan pull out a stretcher from their ambulance. (Free Press file […]

How to end hallway medicine, Part 1: Understanding the crisis

(August 21, 2019) By: Matt Gurney, TVO ANALYSIS: Ontario hospitals don’t have enough beds, and patients often end up on stretchers in hallways — sometimes for days. So who’s to blame? Patients who’ve been assessed, triaged, and stabilized but can’t yet leave the hospital remain in the emergency room because there is nowhere else to […]

Ottawa mayor says Ford agreed in meeting to not cut long-term care home funding

(August 20, 2019) By: Victoria Gibson, iPolitics Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson poses for a photo in his office in Ottawa on Tuesday, October 31, 2017. iPolitics/Matthew Usherwood A private meeting between Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson resulted in the premier agreeing that cuts should not be made to long-term care homes, […]

Evening Brief: Watson says Ford agreed long-term care funding shouldn’t be cut

(August 20, 2019) By: iPolitics Premier Doug Ford speaks at the Grand River Transit bus garage in Kitchener in August 2019. Brent Davis/The Record Good evening. The Lead A private meeting between Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson resulted in the premier agreeing that cuts should not be made to long-term care […]

Peterborough Health Coalition hosting drop-in session Ashburnham: Have your say on the state of health care

(August 12, 2019) By: Alexsandra Thompson, The Peterborough Examiner Local residents can offer input on the state of local health care at a drop-in session organized by the Peterborough Health Coalition this week. – Jason Bain/Examiner file photo Have your say about the public health system at a drop-in organized by the Peterborough Health Coalition. […]

Ontario needs $5.2B in additional health cuts to reach savings targets: Report

(August 8, 2019) By: Andrew Graham, Global News Michael Hurley, left, president for the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions and Canadian Union of Public Employees, and Peter Bergmanis, co-chair of the London Health Coalition. A new report suggests Ontario has the most underfunded healthcare system in Canada and billions in additional cuts may be required […]

Province promises to follow through on recommendations from Wettlaufer inquiry

(August 1, 2019) By: Paul Pedro, Blackburn News The Ontario government is promising to take immediate action to improve the long-term health care system, following the results of a public inquiry into how serial killer Elizabeth Wettlaufer was able to murder eight nursing home residents in her care. A total of 91 recommendations were made […]

UPDATE: Mounting Health Care Cuts

An updated version of this list can be found here. List of the Ford government health care cuts to date: ● Cut OHIP+ so families with sick children will have to seek private coverage first and pay deductibles and co-payments. (June 2018) ● Cut planned mental health funding by more than $330 million. (July 2018) […]

BRIEFING NOTE: Key Issues in Long-Term Care + Public Inquiry Recommendations

(July 31, 2019) Wettlaufer Inquiry into Ontario long-term care underlines need for improved care levels not cuts Toronto – The Elizabeth Wettlaufer murders were terrible human tragedies and our heartfelt condolences go to the families of the victims, said the Ontario Health Coalition today, on the occasion of the release of the report from Ontario’s […]

Will Ontario’s restructured health-care system mean never navigating the health-care system alone?

(July 25, 2019) By: Joanna Frketich, Grant LaFleche, The Hamilton Spectator and St. Catharines Standard The model of bundled care sees different groups of providers band together, share accountability and care for the patient throughout the entire journey. It’s hard to guess what the journey of patients like Pat Coffer will look like after the […]

Provincial funding cuts will affect services at city’s long-term care homes, mayor says

(July 22, 2019) By: Elizabeth Payne, Ottawa Citizen Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson is calling on the Ontario government to reverse funding cuts that will leave the city’s four municipal long-term care homes half a million dollars in debt this year, and more than a million in debt by 2020. Garry J Armstrong long term care […]

Letters to the editor: July 18 – Downtown far from ideal for new campus

(July 17, 2019) By: The Whig-Standard I believe that city council should reconsider the proposal of a downtown St. Lawrence College campus. Downtown campuses can play a very important educational role in big cities where the main campus is distant from a significant proportion of the city population and therefore not readily accessible to many […]

Doug Ford has mental health and hospitals on the chopping block as he fails to keep health care promises

(July 25, 2019) By: Gordon Guyatt, Hamilton Spectator More privatization appears on the horizon as the government takes steps backward, writes Gordon Guyatt. Premier Doug Ford at an announcement with Merrilee Fullerton, recently named minister of long term care. Fullerton is also a doctor with a long record of advocating for two-tier and privatized health […]

Province cuts 2 funds for long-term care homes

(July 24, 2019) By: PJ Wilson, North Bay Nugget ‘No specific concerns’ about funding loss in North Bay, says Coun. Chris Mayne Cassellholme Home for the Aged Nugget File Photo PICASA / JPG, NB There are “no specific concerns” about the effect of provincial funding cuts on Cassellholme at this time, according to the chairman of the Cassellholme […]

Christine Elliott downplays Premier Ford’s health-care promise

(July 15, 2019) By: Shawn Jeffords, The Canadian Press TORONTO — It will likely take longer than a year to end overcrowding in Ontario’s hospitals, despite a promise from Premier Doug Ford to tackle the problem in 12 months, the health minister said Monday. Days after Ford’s declaration, Health Minister Christine Elliott downplayed his remarks, saying he was articulating the government’s “wishes” […]

LHIN job cuts can have positive outcome, care expert says

(July 7, 2019) By: Catherine Whitnall, Kawartha Lakes This Week Agency’s role was strategic and advisory, not service delivery The recent elimination of more than 800 jobs at Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) and six other health-care agencies will not have a direct impact on the City of Kawartha Lakes.But that doesn’t mean changes are […]

Ontario health minister says ending ‘hallway health care’ will take longer than Ford promised last week

(July 15, 2019) By: Rob Ferguson, Queen’s Park Bureau Health Minister Christine Elliott is walking back remarks made by Premier Doug Ford at the annual premiers’ conference last week, promising “hallway health care” would be a relic of the past by this time next year. “I can’t put a specific time line on it,” Elliott […]

Media Advisory – PC hospital cuts are worse than projected; OHC, CUPE Queen’s Park media conference Monday

(July 12, 2019) By: Ontario Council of Hospital Unions (CUPE) Recent comments by the Ontario ministry of health reveal that despite a promise (reiterated this week) by the Premier to end hallway medicine, hospital cuts will intensify. The Ontario Health Coalition and the Ontario Council of Hospital (OCHU) will hold a media conference Monday, July 15, 2019 (10 a.m.) […]

Increase long-term funding to Ontario’s healthcare system, CUPE says in new report

(July 03, 2019) By: Matt Prokopchuk, CBC News Ontario Council of Hospital Unions says Thunder Bay will be short 80 beds, 500 hospital staff needed by 2024 Michael Hurley is the president of the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions. (Matt Prokopchuk / CBC) The union that represents staff in Ontario’s hospitals is calling on the provincial […]

What Does Healthcare Look Like One Year into the Ford Government?

July 5, 2019 By: Megan Pounder OCHU/CUPE President Michael Hurley presents ‘Protecting What Matters Most,’ a new report by the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions. Photo by Megan Pounder/SaultOnline One year ago, the PC Government made vague promises in regards to ending hallway medicine, increasing system capacity while keeping public sector staff and cutting government […]

Premier Ford can’t wish hallway medicine away and cut millions of dollars from hospitals, long-term care, public health and EMS in 2019

(July 15, 2019) By: CUPE Local 1764 TORONTO, ON – While Premier Doug Ford announced last week that, within a year, no more patients would receive care in hospital hallways, the spring 2019 provincial budget and an economic review by Ontario’s Financial Accountability Office (FAO) point to hallway medicine getting much worse as health care cuts […]

Christine Elliott downplays Premier Ford’s promise to end hallway medicine in 1 year

(July 15, 2019) By: The Canadian Press Ford said last week that PCs would end hallway medicine within 12 months Health Minister Christine Elliott says addressing the issue of overcrowding in hospitals will require the government to build more long-term care spaces, improve addictions and mental-health funding, and address hospital patient flows. (David Donnelly/CBC)It will likely […]

Hallway medicine: Expensive, frustrating and complicated. Doug Ford vowed to fix it.

(July 23, 2019) By: Joanna Frketich, Grant LaFleche, The Hamilton Spectator and St. Catharines Standard Critics say Premier Doug Ford’s massive overhaul of the provincial health-care system does not address the lack of capacity and services in hospitals, which are already stretched thin David Hartfield in his Thorold South home, May 23, 2019. Hartfield was […]

How Ontario’s new regional health teams will operate is anyone’s guess in ‘low-rules environment’

(July 20, 2019) By: Grant LaFleche, Joanna Frketich, Hamilton Spectator and St. Catharines Standard No one is sure how they will be governed or funded, or how they will function. But they will be the way forward for health care in the province. “My mom made me promise that she would never go in a […]

Did Ontario’s Local Health Integration Networks fail?

(July 20, 2019) By: Grant LaFleche, Joanna Frketich, Hamilton Spectator and St. Catharines Standard The provincial Tories have wanted to kill the LHINs since 2011 While Ontario’s most urgent problem is the thousands of people stuck on unbudging wait lists for a nursing-home bed, barriers to care can also arise once a senior secures a […]

Introducing Ontario’s new health care super power

(July 22, 2019) By: Joanna Frketich, Grant LaFleche, Hamilton Spectator and St. Catharines Standard 14 regional health districts will be replaced by Ontario Health, a new agency which will oversee everything from hospital and home care to cancer care and family medicine. Ontarians are tired of governments who are ‘tinkering around the edges’ of improving […]

Is Ontario heading toward more private health care?

(July 24, 2019) By: Joanna Frketich, Grant LaFleche, Hamilton Spectator and St. Catharines Standard Critics say the door to privatization is opening. The government says it is improving public health care. Premier Doug Ford and health minster Christine Elliott have insisted that “privatization” is not part of the government’s long-term plan but health unions are […]

Provincial funding cuts will affect services at city’s long-term care homes, mayor says

ELIZABETH PAYNE Updated: July 22, 2019 Garry J Armstrong long term care on Island Lodge Road in Ottawa. Photo by Jean Levac Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson is calling on the Ontario government to reverse funding cuts that will leave the city’s four municipal long-term care homes half a million dollars in debt this year, and […]

Ontario Health Coalition says long term care funding cuts will hurt local facilities

(July 17, 2019) By: myFM News/Oldies 107.7 staff, 96.1 Renfrew Today The Ontario Health Coalition is sounding the alarm about funding changes for long term care homes that come into effect on August 1st. The Coalition says two Renfrew County owned long term care homes are going to be particularly hard hit. A release from […]

Ending hallway medicine in a year? Not so fast, Elliott says

(July 15, 2019) By: Antonella Artuso, The Kingston Whig-Standard Patients wait in the hallway at the overcrowded Queensway-Carleton Hospital in Ottawa in 2016. (Errol McGihon/Postmedia) Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott is hedging on Premier Doug Ford’s promise to end hallway medicine within a year. “I think the premier was expressing the wishes that we all […]

Health coalition blasts provincial government cuts to long-term care funding

(July 15, 2019) By: Mike Baker, Orangeville Citizen The Ontario Health Coalition has raised concerns about the Ford government’s funding cuts to long-term care. “The Ontario Health Coalition has been made aware that level of care funding has experienced significant real dollar cuts. The per diem rate has been increased by 1%, which does not […]

Changes to long-term care funding impacting Victoria Manor

(July 12, 2019) By: Catherine Whitnall, Kawartha Lakes This Week City of Kawartha Lakes to lose $68,000 in government support and see the end of two funding programs, valued at $79,625, for 2019 The city of Kawartha Lakes is being hit by Ford government funding cuts to long-term care, but the impact isn’t quite as […]

Healthcare townhall meeting being held over ‘super agency’ bill concerns

(June 18, 2019) By: Phi Doan, Kitchener Today A townhall meeting is being held on June 19 over concerns related to the passing of Bill 74 and what impact it could have on the Ontario healthcare system. The Ontario Liberal Party and Waterloo Region Health Care Coalition are hosting the event, being billed as […]

Fact checks and firsthand accounts of key Ford government cuts

(July 11, 2019) By: Maya Bhullar, rabble.ca The legislative assembly of Ontario will be returning from summer break after 144 days and after the 2019 federal election. Here is a comprehensive list of the cuts and canceled programs made by the Progressive Conservatives and Ontario Premier Doug Ford in their first year. Since firsthand accounts and fact […]

Ontario Health Coalition planning all out war to save health care

(July 10, 2019) By: Paul Pedro, Blackburn News The Ontario Health Coalition has big plans to try and prevent pending health care cuts. Coalition Executive Director Natalie Mehra was in Windsor Wednesday night to meet with the Windsor Health Coalition and brainstorm to save health units, ambulance stations and other health care cuts such as […]

RELEASE: Ford Government Cuts to Long-Term Care Funding Risk Already Over-Stressed Care Levels

(July 10, 2019) Toronto — The Ontario Health Coalition raises concerns about the Ford government’s funding cuts to long-term care. The Ontario Health Coalition has been made aware that level of care funding has experienced significant real dollar cuts. The per diem rate has been increased by 1%, which does not meet the rate of […]

Increase long-term funding to Ontario’s healthcare system, CUPE says in new report Social Sharing

(July 3, 2019) By: Matt Prokopchuk, CBC News Michael Hurley is the president of the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions. (Matt Prokopchuk / CBC) The union that represents staff in Ontario’s hospitals is calling on the provincial government to spend more on healthcare over the course of its mandate, arguing that current projections will leave Thunder […]

Health coalition calls on action in response to provincial cuts

(July 4, 2019) By: Ryan Stelter, Kenora Miner & News A small, informal session was held to discuss provincial cuts to healthcare at Seven Generations Education Institute Wednesday, July 3. Ryan Stelter/Miner and News A small group of healthcare providers and concerned citizens met at Seven Generations Education Institute Wednesday, July 3 at a community […]

BRIEFING NOTE: Ontario Health Coalition Briefing Note on Ontario Cabinet Shuffle: Deep Concerns about Ideological Positions of New Minister of Long-Term Care & Associate Minister of Mental Health & Addictions

(June 21, 2019) Toronto – In his press conference announcing the cabinet shuffle, Premier Doug Ford claimed that more than 80 percent of his platform had been implemented. The Health Coalition notes that nothing could be further than the truth when it comes to health care. The Coalition also raised concerns about the pro-privatization, anti-public health […]

RELEASE: Ford Governments Health Cuts Negatively Impact Patient Care: Coalition Calls Out Ford Government for “Dissembling” and Lack of Public Accountability

(June 19, 2019) Toronto – In what the Health Coalition has termed a bad news day for Ontario’s health care, the Ford government revealed that it has eliminated more than 800 full-time equivalent positions in the LHINs (Local Health Integration Network) and in the six health care agencies (including Cancer Care Ontario, Health Quality Ontario, […]

Round table discussions hope to resolve PSW crisis in Sudbury

(June 6, 2019) By: Jamie-Lee McKenzie, CBC News Round table discussions are happening throughout the province The round table in Sudbury focused on the critical shortage of PSWs and finding solutions to improve the situation. (Ed Hunter/CBC) The Ontario Health Coalition and Unifor are trying to find solutions to the Personal Support Worker crisis currently happening in […]

‘Stingy’ Ontario fuels PSW shortage: forum

(June 6, 2019) By: Mary Katherine Keown, The Sudbury Star Participants look on at a round table discussion focused on the shortage of personal support workers at long-term care facilities at the Steelworkers’ Hall in Sudbury, Ont. on Thursday June 6, 2019. The meeting is part of a series that the Ontario Health Coalition and […]

Sudbury briefs: PSW shortage meeting; hospital AGM; art walk

(June 5, 2019) By: Donald Macdonald, The Sudbury Star Input required on PSW shortage A round table discussion on the critical shortage of PSWs in long-term care homes takes place June 6 at 3 p.m. at the Steelworkers Hall, 66 Brady St. What does the situation look like on the ground? How can we solve […]

People’s Healthcare Act is ‘really a restructuring bill’: Natalie Mehra

(March 12, 2019) By: Luke Edwards, Niagara This Week Natalie Mehra, executive director of the Ontario Health Coalition, speaks to a group of St. Catharines residents Monday evening. The coalition is cautioning about changes coming under the proposed Bill 74, the People’s Healthcare Act. – Luke Edwards , Niagara This Week The Ontario Health Coalition […]

Advocates for health care anxious about timing of Ross Memorial’s ‘special legislation’

(May 24, 2019) By: Joli Scheidler-Benns, The Lindsay Advocate With recent ‘merger memories’ still top of mind, Kawartha Lakes Health Coalition (KLHC) members are alarmed over the future of Ross Memorial Hospital after reading the public notice about new special legislation initiated by Ross near the same time as the passing of the PC’s omnibus […]

Durham health unit merging with three other agencies

(May 21, 2019) By: Dave Flaherty, The Oshawa Express Durham’s health department will be amalgamated with three others under a proposed plan by the province. In its 2019 budget, the Ford government announced it would take Ontario’s 35 public health units and merge them into 10 regional planning groups. Under the proposed plan, Durham would […]

Health mergers would be bad for Sudbury, Northern Ontario: critics

(April 23, 2019) By: Jim Moodie, The Sudbury Star Natalie Mehra, executive director of the Ontario Health Coalition, speaks to Sudbury Star reporter Mary Katherine Keown in Sudbury, Ont. on Friday May 11, 2018. She said Tuesday that Sudbury and Northern Ontario will suffer under the province’s proposed health mergers. John Lappa/Sudbury Star/Postmedia Network JOHN LAPPA / JOHN […]

What you should know if your health card is expiring?

(May 9, 2019) By: Megan DeLaire, Yahoo Canada News Diagrams of different styles of red-and-white Ontario Health Cards taken from the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care website. (Image from the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care) There are 400,000 red-and-white Ontario health cards still circulating 25 years after work to […]

Barrie-area groups get $1.7 million for mental health, addiction services – But Ontario Health Coalition says this is actually a cut to funding for the sector

(May 10, 2019) By: Chris Simon, Barrie Advance Barrie-area Progressive Conservative Party MPPs Doug Downey and Andrea Khanjin discuss the Ontario budget at Downey’s constituency office April 12. – Chris Simon/Metroland The Ontario government is giving a financial boost to local mental-health services. Six organizations will receive a total of $1.74 million for their efforts […]

Paramedics participate in rally for Ontario health care

(May 9, 2019) By: Carol Murray, Mississauga News Lack of consultation before health care restructuring is a cause for concern, writes Carol Murray Carol Murray is an Advanced Care Paramedic with Peel Regional Paramedic Services. – Joel D’Eath Peel Regional Paramedics joined thousands of other Ontario health care workers at Queen’s Park on April 30 […]

UFCW activists and allies rally to protect public health care in Ontario

(May 2, 2019) By: UFCW UFCW Canada activists from across Ontario joined thousands of health care professionals and community and labour allies at a major rally in support of keeping Ontario’s health care system public. Participants gathered on the lawns of the Ontario Legislature to protest the Ford government’s health care restructuring plans and austerity […]

Gentili: If you’re flirting with privatization, Mr. Ford, just ’fess up, would you?

For months, groups have been saying the Tories have a secret plan to privatize parts of the health care system, and the province hasn’t said much to deny it. So what’s happening here? May 2, 2019 12:00 PM by: Mark Gentili (Supplied) If Doug Ford’s Tory government is flirting with the idea of privatizing some aspects of […]

Ontarians travelling in from dozens of communities for giant rally to protect public health care

April 25, 2019 14:47 ET | Source: Ontario Health Coalition TORONTO, April 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — It is shaping up to be one of the largest public rallies at Queen’s Park since the Ford government took power. It will be held next Tuesday, April 30 at Queen’s Park. Ontarians from towns and cities across the province are […]

MEDIA ADVISORY: Press Conference regarding unprecedented Action Day to warn against health care privatization

April 23, 2019 06:00 ET | Source: Ontario Health Coalition TORONTO, April 23, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Across Ontario in more than one hundred hospitals and health care facilities, staff and patient advocates are staging a “Health Action Day” today, Tuesday, April 23. In an unprecedented show of unity, more than 150,000 health professionals and workers and tens […]

‘This is just the beginning of the fight’

Health coalition plans anti-privatization rally at Queen’s Park Jennifer Hamilton-McCharles – Published on: April 24, 2019 | Last Updated: April 24, 2019 1:04 PM EDT Thousands of teachers, students and union members came out to protest various education cuts at Queen’s Park April 6. The Ontario Health Coalition promises an equally large anti-privatization rally April 30. […]

Thousands gather at Queen’s Park to protest against Ford government health cuts

Ontario is paving the way for more privatization, diminished access to services, protesters say Nick Boisvert · CBC News · Posted: Apr 30, 2019 3:15 PM ET | Last Updated: April 30 Protesters marched to Queen’s Park on Tuesday to protest the sweeping health-care cuts and reforms proposed by the provincial government. (Derek Hooper/CBC) Thousands of demonstrators gathered on the south […]

Health mergers bad news for the North: Critics

‘This is like the Mike Harris era of restructuring, writ huge’ Jim Moodie – Published on: April 24, 2019 | Last Updated: April 24, 2019 4:50 PM EDT Natalie Mehra, executive director of the Ontario Health Coalition, believes Northern Ontario will suffer under the province’s proposed health mergers. JOHN LAPPA / POSTMEDIA The pain of a […]

RELEASE: Ontario Health Coalition Statement on Today’s Mental Health Funding Announcement by Ford Government

(May 6, 2019) Toronto – Today the Ford government announced mental health funding that appears had previously been announced, and in any case is actually a cut to planned mental health funding. This is being reported by the media as if it is an increase and as if it is new money without any critical analysis. […]

Ontario Health Coalition – Ford Funding Actually a Cut & Possibly Re-Announcement

Community Submission By NNL Staff – May 6, 2019 TORONTO – OPINION – Today the Ford government announced mental health funding that appears had previously been announced, and in any case is actually a cut to planned mental health funding. This is being reported by the media as if it is an increase and as if it […]

UPDATE: Health coalition questions Ford government’s boost to mental health spending

BY KIRK DICKINSON MAY 6, 2019 10:11AM @KDickinsonNews The Ontario government has announced an additional $174 million a year for mental health care, however, health advocates are accusing the Tories of juking the numbers. “It’s a complicated issue. It’s not one we can solve overnight,” said Christine Elliott at a Canadian Mental Health Association community centre in Toronto. “This is […]

Advocates cry foul after Ontario officials alter nursing home inspection report without explanation

By Abigail Bimman | Global National Ottawa Correspondent | Global News | Posted: April 25, 2019 5:49 pm WATCH: Residents of an Ontario nursing home are feeling the effects of severe understaffing issues. In part three of our series on Park Lane Terrace, desperate families search for answers and accountability. The Ontario government will not explain the reasons why it altered […]

150,000 Ontario health care staff and patient advocates stage Health Action Day (Tuesday) to warn against health care privatization

NEWS PROVIDED BY Ontario Health Coalition | Posted: Apr 22, 2019, 16:40 ET TORONTO, April 22, 2019 /CNW/ – Across Ontario in more than one hundred hospitals and health care facilities, staff and patient advocates are staging an “Health Action Day” tomorrow, Tuesday April 23. In an unprecedented show of unity, more than 150,000 health professionals and workers and tens […]

Coalition Raises Red Flag About Undemocratic Process Used to Cut OHIP and Mounting Health Cuts: New Cuts Made Public Today, Less Than a Week for Public Input

April 25, 2019 09:44 ET | Source: Ontario Health Coalition TORONTO, April 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Usually a change in a regulation under an Ontario law is posted in the Ontario Gazette and the public is given 60-days notice to give input, reported the Ontario Health Coalition today in response to new cuts to OHIP coverage that […]

Health advocates raise red flag over planned OHIP cuts

Natalie Mehra of the Ontario Health Coalition speaks at the Ciaciaro Club in Windsor during a public health care rally, August 26, 2015. (Photo by Mike Vlasveld) BY PAUL PEDROAPRIL 24, 2019 8:27PM@PaulPedroNews Proposed cuts to the Ontario Health Insurance Program (OHIP) have raised the ire of the Ontario Health Coalition. The Ford government has said […]

Three busloads from Peterborough joining rally protesting Ontario health care changes

Apr 29, 2019 by Jessica Nyznik Examiner Staff Writer Ontario Health Coalition protesting at Queen’s Park on Tuesday Health Minister Christine Elliott was joined by some Durham MPPs while announcing the government is moving to an integrated health care system with the aim of ending ‘hallway health care’. From left are Durham MPP Lindsay Park, Pickering-Uxbridge MPP Peter […]

Health care protest expected to draw hundreds to Queen’s Park

By Jacquelyn LeBel | POLITICS | Posted: April 29, 2019 4:21 pm The front entrance of Ontario’s Legislative Building at Queen’s Park. Credit: Nick Westoll / File / Global News The Ontario Health Coalition says it’s ready to defend public and non-profit health care and is hoping to send a message to the Progressive Conservative government. Jeff Hanks with the London Health […]

Thousands descend on Queen’s Park to protest Ontario healthcare changes

By NEWS STAFF | Posted: April 30, 2019 5:37 AM EDT | Last Updated: April 30, 2019 2:03 PM EDT Thousands protest healthcare cuts at Queen’s Park on April 30, 2019. CITYNEWS A massive rally is underway on the lawn of Queen’s Park, and at hospitals across Ontario, to protest cuts and urge the provincial […]

Day of Action Against Healthcare Cuts and Privatization

PUBLIC GOODS, SOCIAL MOVEMENTS • April 26, 2019 • Ontario Health Coalition Across Ontario, in more than one hundred hospitals and healthcare facilities, staff and patient advocates staged an “Health Action Day” on Tuesday April 23rd. In an unprecedented show of unity, more than 150,000 health professionals and workers and tens of thousands of patient advocates wore a […]

Gentili: If you’re flirting with privatization, Mr. Ford, just ’fess up, would you?

For months, groups have been saying the Tories have a secret plan to privatize parts of the health care system, and the province hasn’t said much to deny it. So what’s happening here? May 2, 2019 12:00 PM by: Mark Gentili If Doug Ford’s Tory government is flirting with the idea of privatizing some aspects of our […]

Thousands storm Queen’s Park to protest Doug Ford’s cuts to health care

An estimated 8,000 outraged Ontario residents are marching on Queen’s Park in downtown Toronto today to voice their opposition against the PC government’s deep and sweeping cuts to health care services across the province. Organized by the Ontario Health Coalition, today’s protest takes aim at Premier Doug Ford’s plan to restructure the health care system under something […]

RELEASE: More than 10,000 Protest to tell Ford Government to stop health privatization, cuts

(May 1, 2019) Toronto – They came from across Ontario in the middle of a work day by the thousands with a message for the Doug Ford government. From a stage in front of the Ontario Legislature Natalie Mehra, executive director of the Ontario Health Coalition called on the crowd of more than 10,000 to […]

Crowd rallies at Ontario legislature against health system changes

Shawn Jeffords, The Canadian Press Published Wednesday, May 1, 2019 12:11AM EDT TORONTO — Protesters hoisting signs and chanting slogans gathered outside Ontario’s legislature Tuesday to rally against changes to the health-care system, despite government assurances that the new measures would not lead to any form of privatization. The event, organized by the Ontario Health […]

Ontario health care cuts will reduce quality of life, patient says at Queen’s Park protest

Katherine DeClerq, CTV News Toronto Published Tuesday, April 30, 2019 4:16PM EDT Last Updated Tuesday, April 30, 2019 8:03PM EDT Standing outside Queen’s Park on Tuesday afternoon, a woman who needs up to 25 injections to help manage her chronic pain says that cuts being made to Ontario’s health care system may mean she has […]

Health coalitions rally at Queen’s Park

BY MELANIE IRWIN APRIL 30, 2019 4:10PM @MIrwinCHOKNews Thousands rally against changes to Ontario’s health care system. April 30, 2019 Photo courtesy of @AndreaHorwath Twitter. A rally against changes to Ontario’s health care system, that some believe will open the door to privatization, attracted thousands of people to Queen’s Park Tuesday afternoon. NDP Leader Andrea Horwath addressed the […]

Les réformes de la santé dénoncées à Queen’s Park

Publié le mardi 30 avril 2019 à 15 h 28 Mis à jour le mardi 30 avril 2019 à 22 h 06 La Coalition ontarienne de la santé représente plus d’un demi million de personnes, issues de 400 organisations différentes. Photo: Radio-Canada / Fanny Geoffrion Radio-Canada Des milliers de personnes se sont rassemblées mardi devant l’Assemblée législative de l’Ontario pour protester contre les changements apportés par le gouvernement […]

THOUSANDS RALLY AT QUEEN’S PARK PROTESTING PC’S HEALTH CARE CHANGES

CANADIAN PRESS Tuesday, April 30th 2019 – 2:41 pm Thousands of people are rallying outside Ontario’s legislature to protest the government’s changes to the health-care system. The rally was organized by the Ontario Health Coalition, which says it’s concerned that the changes will lead to privatization of some health services _ a suggestion the province […]

Londoners join Queen’s Park rally, protesting health care changes

CTV London Published Tuesday, April 30, 2019 1:38PM EDT Last Updated Tuesday, April 30, 2019 4:53PM EDT Hundreds from the London region loaded onto buses and vehicles, heading to Queen’s Park to take part in Tuesday’s rally voicing opposition to provincial health care funding changes. Two busloads left London for Toronto around 8:30 a.m. headed […]

Waterloo Region Health Coalition rallies at Queen’s Park

Group concerned Bill 74 will lead to privatization of health services CBC News · Posted: Apr 30, 2019 1:00 PM ET | Last Updated: May 1 Thousands rally outside Queen’s Park in Toronto Tuesday against Bill 74. The Ontario Health Coalition organized the rally in protest against the bill they believe will lead to more privatized services. (Lisa […]

Crowd rallies outside Queen’s Park protesting cuts to health-care system

Natalie Mehra, executive director of Ontario Health Coalition, said the crowd was protesting the level of the government’s health-care spending, which she said will not cover the cost of inflation and is effectively a funding cut to hospitals. Apr 30, 2019 by Shawn Jeffords The Canadian Press On Tuesday, Health Minister Christine Elliott said the government is making […]

Oxford Health Coalition Joins Thousands of Protesters at Queens Park Today

Tuesday, April 30th, 2019 12:42pm photo credit Bryan Smith Well over 10,000 people, including a couple of dozen from Oxford are protesting cuts to health care outside of Queens Park in Toronto today. TORONTO – Thousands of people have flooded Queen’s Park today to protest Provincial cuts to Health Care. The protest was organized by […]

Almost 100 local residents attend Healthcare Rally at Queen’s Park

By Pamela Vanmeer – April 30, 2019 KAWARTHA LAKES-Some came carrying signs and others pushing walkers. They were boarding a bus at the Lindsay Square Mall and heading to Toronto to attend a Health Care Rally at Queen’s Park. The event was organized by the Ontario Health Coalition and the local Kawartha Lakes Health Coalition brought […]

Ontario healthcare workers at Queen’s Park to protest

Ontario Health Coalition organizes large rally to protest healthcare changes CBC News · Posted: Apr 30, 2019 11:33 AM ET | Last Updated: April 30 The Ontario Health Coalition expects thousands will attend a protest at Queen’s Park on Tuesday. (Andrew Foote/CBC) About 200 people from Sudbury are taking part in a rally on Tuesday at Queen’s Park. […]

Peel Paramedics Concerned Health Care Overhaul Will Hurt Patients in Brampton

by Ashley Newport on April 30, 2019 Paramedics, their unions, and other health care workers concerned about the province’s proposed health care overhaul recently took to Queen’s Park to protest the potential changes. The rally was organized by the Ontario Health Coalition (OHC). The Ontario Paramedic Association (OPA) has expressed serious concerns about a recently released EMS Vision – Ontario 2050 […]

WINDSOR-ESSEX RESIDENTS TO TAKE PART IN A RALLY AT QUEEN’S PARK

PETER LANGILLE Tuesday, April 30th 2019 – 6:32 am A large contingent from Windsor-Essex heads to Toronto Tuesday morning for a massive healthcare rally in Queen’s Park. Organized by the Ontario Health Coalition, delegates from across the province will protest funding cuts by the Ontario government. Windsor and District Labour Council President Brian Hogan says […]

Londoners hit the road to protest health care cuts

BY KIRK DICKINSON APRIL 29, 2019 8:39PM @KDickinsonNews Londoners will join Ontarians from towns and cities across the province at Queens Park in an effort to protect public health care from recent cuts announced by the provincial government. The Ontario Health Coalition (OHC) is organizing a rally at the Ontario Legislature for Tuesday at noon, which is expected to […]

Health care protest expected to draw hundreds to Queen’s Park

Jacquelyn LeBel 980 CFPL April 29, 2019 4:21 pm The front entrance of Ontario’s Legislative Building at Queen’s Park. The Ontario Health Coalition says it’s ready to defend public and non-profit health care and is hoping to send a message to the Progressive Conservative government. Jeff Hanks with the London Health Coalition said roughly 150 buses […]

UPDATE: 13++ Reasons to Come to the Giant Health Care Rally!

Doug Ford made cuts to OHIP+ and families with sick children now need to seek private insurance and pay deductibles and co-payments on medications for their sick children. Doug Ford cut planned mental health funding by more than $330 million! Doug Ford canceled ALL new planned overdose prevention sites. Doug Ford cut over $700,000 in […]

Crowd rallies at Ontario legislature against health system changes

Shawn Jeffords, The Canadian Press Published Tuesday, April 30, 2019 2:39PM EDT Last Updated Tuesday, April 30, 2019 6:12PM EDT TORONTO — Protesters hoisting signs and chanting slogans gathered outside Ontario’s legislature Tuesday to rally against changes to the health-care system, despite government assurances that the new measures would not lead to any form of […]

Health Coalition worried about future of small rural hospitals

David Gough More from David Gough Published on: April 26, 2019 | Last Updated: April 26, 2019 8:25 AM EDT The chair of the Wallaceburg and Walpole Island First Nation Health Coalition believes that rural hospitals in Petrolia and Wallaceburg will suffer under the health-care cuts being proposed by the Ontario government. File photo/Postmedia Network […]

RELEASE: Unprecedented Health Action Day Calls on Doug Ford to Halt Health Privatization Plans

Toronto – For the first time, more than 150,000 health professionals, nurses, support workers, doctors and tens of thousands of patient advocates are joining together in a Health Action Day, unified in their deep concern that the Ford government intends unprecedented health care privatization. In hospitals and other health facilities tens of thousands will wear […]

RELEASE: Ford’s ambulance and public health cuts and restructuring come with high costs, reduced services: Coalition warns

(April 18, 2019) Toronto – It has been done before and it resulted in enormous costs, not savings, and it compromised services. This was the message of the Ontario Health Coalition in reaction to the growing array of health care services that the Doug Ford government plans to restructure and cut. The Coalition released their […]

URGENT UPDATE: Undeniable signals Doug Ford intends major health care privatization

(April 18, 2019) Toronto – The signals that Doug Ford intends major health care privatization, restructuring and cuts have become undeniable: if you care about health care for all it is time to come out. Cuts: The Ontario Budget contains bad news for health care. Cuts are coming. Overall health funding increases are less than […]

RELEASE: Budget Health Care Briefing: What is being Cut, Myth Buster, What is Coming

(April 11, 2019) Toronto – In anticipation of this afternoon’s budget the Ontario Health Coalition provided a budget health care briefing for Ontarians. The Coalition will issue an update after the budget is released. “There have been a lot of re-announcements and PR spin to cover for what is the leading edge of the most […]

Ontario Health Coalition holds town hall meeting in Brampton April 12

Legislation ‘forged in secret’ says coalition Apr 10, 2019 by Marta Marychuk Brampton Guardian The Ontario Health Coalition (OHC) will be holding a town hall meeting on the province’s sweeping plans to restructure health care on Friday, April 12, in Brampton at Professor’s Lake Recreation Centre. The meeting, which is being organized in conjunction with the Peel Poverty […]

Durham Health Coalition holding town hall on PC health bill

A town hall forum against the PCs new health bill is being held in Oshawa. The Durham Health Coalition says they’re fighting for amendments to Bill 74 to stop any privatization. The PCs introduced the legislation to abolish the LHINs and create Ontario Health. Co-chair Trish McAuliffe says the forum will provide an opportunity to […]

Outrage over plans to restructure health care

April 9, 2019 | Last Updated: April 9, 2019 3:49 PM EDT TIMMINS — The prospect of the Ontario Conservatives ramming through legislation in order to introduce privatized health care in Ontario was a grave concern to those who attended a town hall style meeting at the Timmins Museum Saturday. The meeting, which was attended […]

Town hall meeting to discuss major changes to Ontario health care

The public is being kept in the dark about changes coming to Ontario’s health care, says the Timmins organizer of a town-hall style meeting being held at the museum this Saturday. April 3, 2019 | Last Updated: April 3, 2019 6:33 PM EDT The public is being kept in the dark about changes coming to […]

Health-care changes ‘frightening’: Health coalition

Fears more privatization, which province denies; town hall meeting Friday in Sault April 3, 2019 | Last Updated: April 3, 2019 4:17 PM EDT The public is being kept in the dark about changes coming to Ontario health care — and many will be “surprised and shocked” when they learn the truth, contends a Sault […]

Ontario healthcare bill spurs local action

April 1, 2019 | Last Updated: April 1, 2019 10:49 PM EDT Sault Ste. Marie Health Coalition will hold a town hall meeting on Friday, April 5 as part of a province-wide campaign to educate the public about the Ontario government’s plan to restructure the provincial healthcare system and create a new “super agency”. The […]

Bad medicine? If history holds true, Doug Ford’s health care cuts will cost us more money, not less

Dozens of Sudburians concerned about the future of health care participate in town hall meeting hosted by the Ontario Health Coalition on Sunday Apr 1, 2019 5:00 PM by: Carol Mulligan, for Sudbury.com Some 40 people attended a health care reform town hall meeting on March 31 in Sudbury, hosted by the Ontario Health Coalition. (Carol Mulligan) […]

RELEASE, ANALYSIS & BRIEFING NOTE: Health Care Omnibus Bill Sets Up Ontario for Health System Mega-Mergers & Privatization: Worse than the Leaked Draft, Health Coalition Warns

(Updated: April 1, 2019) Click here for our submission to the Standing Committee on Social Policy regarding Bill 74 (April 2019) Click here for update on health omnibus bill hearings (March 2019) Click here for printable version of health omnibus bill briefing note (March 2019) Click here for printable version of health omnibus bill media […]

Town hall meeting is looking at healthcare changes

It’s taking place Saturday at the museum Apr 1, 2019 3:00 PM by: Maija Hoggett With provincial legislation changes on the way for healthcare, a town hall meeting this weekend is talking about what it could mean. The Ontario Health Coalition event is Saturday, April 6 at 11 a.m. at the Timmins Museum. Bill 74, the People’s […]

Ford government won’t hear from more than 1,500 on sweeping health restructuring bill: Coalition decries process as grossly undemocratic and objectionable

TORONTO, April 01, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Ontario Health Coalition will appear before the Ontario Legislature’s Standing Committee on Social Policy this morning in the public hearings into Bill 74. The Ford government’s new health restructuring law, the Coalition reports, gives the Minister of Health and the government’s appointees in the new Super Agency […]

Health Coalition planning rally against proposed changes to healthcare

April 1, 2019 KAWARTHA LAKES-The Kawartha Lakes Health Coalition and their Ontario counterpart say proposed new legislation gives the Ontario government sweeping new powers including the power to force privatization and restructuring of our health care. On February 26, 2019, Minister Christine Elliott unveiled the Government of Ontario’s legislation on healthcare reform. Bill 74 also […]

Kawartha Lakes Health Coalition concerned about Bill 74

April 1, 2019 in Health/Provincial by Lindsay Advocate With over 100 residents who came to the Bill 74 Town Meeting on March 27, the Kawartha Lakes Health Coalition members and residents are growing concerned with the impacts of Bill 74. This new legislation is being pushed through the legislature quickly, notes a press release, with an expected passage on […]

Kawartha Lakes Health Coalition concerned about Bill 74

Published on April 1, 2019 in Health/Provincial by Lindsay Advocate With over 100 residents who came to the Bill 74 Town Meeting on March 27, the Kawartha Lakes Health Coalition members and residents are growing concerned with the impacts of Bill 74. This new legislation is being pushed through the legislature quickly, notes a press release, with an expected […]

Health Coalition planning rally against proposed changes to healthcare

By Pamela Vanmeer – April 1, 2019 KAWARTHA LAKES-The Kawartha Lakes Health Coalition and their Ontario counterpart say proposed new legislation gives the Ontario government sweeping new powers including the power to force privatization and restructuring of our health care. On February 26, 2019, Minister Christine Elliott unveiled the Government of Ontario’s legislation on healthcare reform. […]

Coalition vows to fight health-care changes

Mar 27 Health Coalitions across the province, led by the Ontario Health Coalition, are calling for the public’s help in fighting the government omnibus Bill 74 – The People’s Health Care Act, that proposes sweeping changes to how health care is administered in Ontario. At a town hall meeting recently hosted by the Chatham-Kent Health […]

VIDEO: Doug Ford and Health Minister Christine Elliott obfuscate questions on health privatization

Analysis Watch as Doug Ford and Health Minister Christine Elliott sidestep the opposition leader, Andrea Horwath’s, question in the legislature on whether private for-profit health corporations will play a role in Bill 74, the new health care legislation. The Ford government repeatedly refuses to disavow for-profit privatization of our public health care system. It is […]

URGENT UPDATE: FORD GOV’T SWEEPING HEALTH CARE RESTRUCTURING BILL

Ford government gives 2-days notice for public hearings to be in Toronto only The new health care law that the Ford government is pushing through has been “time allocated” for public hearings. That means that the Ford Conservatives have limited the time for public hearings. We have been asking for broad public hearings on this […]

Proposed health care changes could create ‘chaos’ for decades to come

Ontario Health Coalition warns of looming privatization in Ontario at Kitchener city hall Tuesday night Mar 26, 2019 KITCHENER — Proposed changes to the provincial health care system could create “chaos” that would last for decades if passed, according to the Ontario Health Coalition. Executive Director Natalie Mehra was the keynote speaker at a health […]

London Health Coalition to host town hall on health-care reform

The Ontario Health Coalition and its municipal counterparts are gearing up for a health-care fight in the wake of the Ford government’s planned health-care restructuring. A town hall meeting is scheduled for Monday evening in at London’s downtown library. “I think most Londoners and Ontarians don’t quite realize what’s taking place at Queen’s Park around […]

Ontario Health Coalition vows to stop new health care bill

The Ontario Health Coalition (OHC) is warning the province’s new omnibus health care bill will mean lost local services. Mar 22, 2019. (Photo by Paul Pedro) MARCH 22, 2019 8:41PM The Ontario Health Coalition (OHC) is taking action against the province’s new omnibus health care bill that could mean a loss of local services. […]

EVENTS: Town Hall Meetings

(March 22, 2019) The Ford government is proposing massive restructuring to hospitals, long-term care, home care, community care, mental health, etc. The new legislation, which has been forged with no public consultation whatsoever, will take away local control of health care services. Protect our local health care services from mega-mergers and privatization. Town Hall Meetings – Locations, […]

North Simcoe residents troubled by proposed health care changes

The proposed restructuring of Ontario’s health-care system has local residents concerned. Legislation tabled in late February revealed the government’s plan to revamp the current system organized around local health integration networks (LHINs) and create a super agency called Ontario Health. Twenty existing agencies will be absorbed into Ontario Health, including 14 LHINs, eHealth Ontario and […]

Health coalition slams proposed restructuring

March 21, 2019 | Last Updated: March 21, 2019 9:44 PM EDT Believing that patients will be negatively impacted in the long run, the Chatham-Kent Health Coalition is rallying the public to make their voices heard about the province’s proposed restructuring of the health-care system. Approximately 30 people attended a town hall Thursday night at […]

Ontario Health Coalition holds meeting in Peterborough to discuss concerns about new Ontario Health super agency

NDP Deputy Leader John Vanthof, the MPP for Temiskaming Shores, spoke during an Ontario Health Coalition town hall in Peterborough on Wednesday night. The meeting was held to discuss Premier Doug Ford’s plan to create an Ontario Health super agency that will replace 20 smaller agencies, including Ontario’s 14 local health integration networks, Cancer Care […]

EVENTS: April 30 Rally to Protect Public Health Care

(March 20, 2019) Worried about the new health care legislation? Want to protect our public health? Join us at Queen’s Park on April 30 at 12 pm for a rally to improve public health care! Tell Doug Ford: NO to cuts & Privatization CLICK HERE: April 30 Rally Poster CLICK HERE: Get on the bus […]

Severe PSW shortage on agenda at health care Town Hall

March 19, 2019 The growing shortage of personal support workers and their difficult working conditions will be discussed at a Town Hall meeting Saturday, officials say. “The word is out. People are leaving the profession of PSW and they’re not enrolling in PSW courses at community colleges,” said Shirley Roebuck, chair of the Sarnia-Lambton Health […]

RELEASE: Ford Government is Steamrolling Health Restructuring Law Through in “Outrageously Undemocratic” Process Warns Health Coalition: Local Services at Risk

(March 18, 2019) The Ontario Health Coalition expressed outrage at the process by which the Ford government is rushing their new sweeping health care restructuring legislation through and is demanding public hearings across Ontario. In the new law, the Ford government has given itself new powers to order the privatization of health care services, along […]