News + Events

Sault and Area Health Coalition protests for increase health-care funding

(April 25, 2016) By: Jeffrey Ougler, Sault Star SAULT STE. MARIE – The Ontario Health Coalition seeks residents’ two cents regarding the health of health care. Lack of funding is a key culprit as care continues to erode, members suggest. The coalition — including branches such as the Sault and Area Health Coalition — bank on the […]

Province-wide Ontario Health Coalition referendum kicked off Monday

(April 25, 2016) By: J.T. Lewis, Erie Media Volunteers with the Ontario Health Coalition have initiated a province-wide referendum Monday to put an end to cuts to the community hospitals and restore services, funding and staff to meet the community’s needs for care. In Welland, the referendum was kicked off in front of the Welland […]

Ontario Health Coalition holding unofficial referendum on healthcare funding

(April 25, 2016) By: Andrew Foote, CBC News Group aims to spread and fill their ballot boxes across province to pressure government Healthcare workers and community activists are hoping an Ontario-wide unofficial referendum will raise awareness of the concerns they have about provincial funding. The Ontario Health Coalition, a group of activists working to improve […]

Peterborough Health Coalition protests cuts to hospital funding

(April 25, 2016) By: Lance Anderson, Peterborough This Week Event begins campaign held until a ‘referendum’ on May 28 PETERBOROUGH — Volunteers hit the sidewalk at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre on Monday to protest cuts to hospital budgets. Members of the Peterborough Health Coalition, led by Roy Brady, says the cuts being seen across […]

Windsor Health Coalition kicks off referendum campaign

(April 25, 2016) By: Julie Kotsis, Windsor Star The Windsor Health Coalition launched its referendum campaign Monday aimed at pressuring the Ontario government to stop cuts to health care, including the loss of 169 registered nurses at local hospitals. Coalition chairman Ken Lewenza Jr. said the group is committed to a provincewide, volunteer-led vote next […]

Health Funding Referendum Launched

(April 25, 2016) By: Stephanie Chaves, BlackburnNews.com The Sarnia-Lambton Health Coalition and others across Ontario have launched a volunteer-based referendum. Local chair Shirley Roebuck says residents have until the end of next month to make their opinions known. The question on the ballot is, do you feel that hospital cuts should be stopped and proper […]

Referendum launched in Windsor to stop health care cuts

(April 25, 2016) By: Tom Morrison, OurWindsor.ca Members of the Windsor Health Coalition are asking people from the area to vote in an informal referendum to stop provincial cuts to the health care system. The referendum is being held across the province in conjunction with the Ontario Health Coalition May 28. Ken Lewenza Jr., chair […]

Campaign launched to stop the hospital cuts

(April 25, 2016) By: Jennifer Hamilton-McCharles, The Nugget Politicians react to two things – media attention and the power of a ballot. That was the message from Mike Bisallion, campaign organizer for the Stop Funding Cuts campaign during a news conference Monday at the Ontario Public Service Employees Union hall. The Ontario Health Coalition is […]

Sault and Area Health Coalition protests for increased health-care funding

LaFLECHE: Do you agree breathing is good?

(April 25, 2016) By: Grant LaFleche, The Standard If I have written it once, I have written it a million times — facts matter. We live in a world so awash in information, there is no excuse to make political decisions in a vacuum of data. Yet it happens constantly. After all, emotional narratives often […]

RELEASE: Ontario-wide Referendum Launch to Save Local Hospital Services

(April 25, 2016) JOIN THE ONTARIO-WIDE REFERENDUM Vote Saturday May 28 To save our local hospital services & stop the cuts to our community hospitals All across Ontario hospital beds, emergency departments, birthing and surgical units, palliative care and even entire hospitals are being closed down. Hundreds of nurses have been cut, along with the thousands […]

Price too high to nickel and dime health care: Campion

(April 25, 2016) By: Allan Benner, The Welland Tribune People from throughout the province are being asked to send a message to Queen’s Park on May 28. On that Saturday, the Ontario Health Coalition is asking residents to cast ballots for what it is calling a “referendum” on health care. The effort is aimed at […]

The Oxford Health Coalition is hosting a launch party for a referendum which will speak out against recent hospital budget cuts.

(April 24, 2016) By: 104.6 Heart FM The Ontario Health Coalition is launching a referendum, in order to speak out against recent cuts to rural hospital budgets. Connie Durling-Searles, the referendum coordinator for the Oxford Coalition gives us the details. “We’re seeing more community beds closing and more hospital services leaving. It’s not just affecting […]

Healthcare cut protests planned at Lindsay and Peterborough hospitals on Monday

(April 23, 2016) By: Kawartha Lakes This Week Events aim to draw addition to funding issues, beginning at 11 a.m. Watch for a giant ballot, banners and red balloons outside Ross Memorial Hospital on Monday morning. It’s not a celebration, but a call to draw attention to changes to funding to the facility. Organziers from […]

London kicking off referendum on hospital cuts

(April 23, 2016) By: CTV London Communities across the province are joining together in a referendum to save local hospitals. The volunteer campaign will kick off on Monday at various locations, including in London, in an effort to stop cuts that organizers say have created dangerous overcrowding and understaffing. The cross-Ontario referendum will be announced […]

Local campaign to stop hospital cuts joining with provincial referendum

(April 23, 2016) By: CTV Windsor Communities across the province are joining together in a referendum to save local hospitals. The volunteer campaign will kick off on Monday at various locations in an effort to stop cuts that organizers say have created dangerous overcrowding and understaffing. Locally, the Windsor Health Coalition and the Ontario Health […]

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

(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 […]

Hospital referendum pressed

(April 21, 2016) By: Allan Benner, The Tribune A provincewide referendum could make it “politically impossible” to close hospitals, says an Ontario Health Coalition board member. Doug Allan said a referendum the coalition is planning will “make it so that these cuts, and the threatened closure of the Port Colborne hospital, can be stopped — […]

Health coalition plans referendum on hospital cuts

(April 20, 2016) By: Gord Young, The Nugget The Ontario Health Coalition believes the province will put a stop to widespread hospital cuts if enough people speak out. That’s why the group is planning to give Ontario residents a voice on the matter by organizing a province-wide referendum. “It’s going to be a big fight,” […]

Health coalition plans referendum on hospital cuts

(April 20, 2016) Author: Gord Young, The Nugget The Ontario Health Coalition believes the province will put a stop to widespread hospital cuts if enough people speak out. That’s why the group is planning to give Ontario residents a voice on the matter by organizing a province-wide referendum. “It’s going to be a big fight,” […]

Guest Column: Feds must enforce Canada Health Act

(APRIL 20, 2016) By: Medicine Hat News Extra-billing in Ontario, private MRIs in Saskatchewan and user fees in Quebec: violations of the Canada Health Act are on the rise across the country. Canadian doctors are concerned about the impact of this trend not only on their patients, but on our public health care system as […]

‘No plans whatsoever’ to close Wallaceburg ER, health minister says

(April 19, 2016) By: CBC News Ontario Health Minister Erik Hoskins insists the province has no plans to close the the Wallaceburg Emergency Department at the Sydenham Campus-Wallaceburg District Hospital. Residents from the Walpole Island First Nation and Wallaceburg are holding a press conference Monday to talk about whey claim is a planned closure of […]

Tight budgets continue to constrain hospital

(April 19, 2016 ) By: Robert Washburn, Northumberland Today The turmoil facing the Ontario Health Ministry is palpable. A recent column in a mainstream newspaper acknowledged the troubled waters being navigated by Health Minister Eric Hoskins. Over the past 18 months, he has been under siege as doctors fight fee reductions, hospitals cry out for more […]

Sydenham District Hospital board meeting 5 p.m. Tuesday in Wallaceburg

(April 18, 2016) By: Tyler Kula, Sarnia Observer Wallaceburg’s emergency department is not on the chopping block, says Ontario’s premier. “There are no plans whatsoever to close the hospital’s emergency department,” Kathleen Wynne said Monday in Question Period at Queen’s Park. She was responding to a question from NDP Health Critic France Gelinas, speaking on […]

RELEASE: Success! Patients, Residents Travel 700 kilometres to Ontario Legislature to Save the Wallaceburg Hospital’s Emergency Department

(April 18, 2016) Breaking News: Success! Patients, Residents Travel 700 kilometres to Ontario Legislature to Save the Wallaceburg Hospital’s Emergency Department Toronto – At a press conference today at Queen’s Park, patients and concerned citizens from Wallaceburg issued an urgent plea to Ontario’s Minister of Health to stop the closure of the Wallaceburg Hospital’s […]

‘No plans whatsoever’ to close Wallaceburg ER, health minister says

(April 18, 2016) By: CBC News Ontario Health Minister Erik Hoskins insists the province has no plans to close the the Wallaceburg Emergency Department at the Sydenham Campus-Wallaceburg District Hospital. Residents from the Walpole Island First Nation and Wallaceburg are holding a press conference Monday to talk about whey claim is a planned closure of […]

Formula changes dismantling hospitals: OHC report

(April 17, 2016) By: Valerie MacDonald, Northumberland Today COBOURG – A recent report from the Ontario Health Coalition (OHC) says community hospitals, like Northumberland Hills Hospital in Cobourg, are being dismantled due to funding formula changes that “force specialization and centralization of care into fewer locations with patients forced to travel further for services.” In the April […]

Health care in crisis – Mehr

(April 17, 2016) By: Jennifer Hamilton-McCharles, The Nugget If the public doesn’t start voicing their opinion then they better brace for more health care cuts. That is the warning from the North Bay and Ontario Health Coalitions. Natalie Mehr, president of the Ontario Health Coalition, said cuts will continue to happen if something isn’t done. […]

HEALTH CARE IN CRISIS – MEHR

(April 17, 2016) By: Jennifer Hamilton-Mccharles, The Nugget If the public doesn’t start voicing their opinion then they better brace for more health care… If the public doesn’t start voicing their opinion then they better brace for more health care cuts. That is the warning from the North Bay and Ontario Health Coalitions. Natalie Mehr, […]

Formula changes dismantling hospitals: OHC report

(April 17, 2016) Author: Valerie Macdonald, Northumberland Today COBOURG #8211; She summarized her reaction by doing this: “We diminished one hospital within our community already using the promise that better services could be provided. Rally organizer Judy Sherwin of Cobourg, who compensated for 2 ad banners that say “Care not cuts: Put Patients” indicates people don’t […]

Ontario Health Coalition cites Hamilton examples to illustrate province-wide hospital cuts

(April 13, 2016) By: Mike Pearson, Stoney Creek News St. Joseph’s Healthcare is closing the east end general psychiatric clinic on King Street, which serves 30 per cent of total visits in the region for patients with addiction, depression, anxiety and psychiatric disorders. Existing services will be consolidated at St. Joeseph’s West 5th psychiatric hospital. […]

REPORT: “Beyond Limits”: Ontario’s community hospital cuts worst in Canada

(April 13, 2016) Toronto – The data is irrefutable. Ontario’s cuts to hospital nursing care and hospital beds are the most severe of anywhere in Canada. In a new report Beyond Limits: Ontario’s Deepening Hospital Cuts Crisis released today, the Ontario Health Coalition finds that the cuts to community hospital care are a result of […]

Health coalition-hosted town hall attracts small crowd

(April 12, 2016) By: Tyler Kula, Sarnia Observer Thinly stretched and overworked, several nurses at Bluewater Health are considering looking for employment elsewhere: in the United States, says the nurses’ bargaining unit president. “That’s unfortunate because they are highly qualified, skilled nurses,” said Tracy Steadman. But the accumulating burnout amid more than 60 registered-nurse job […]

Vigilance urged on local health care

(April 8, 2016) By: Trevor Terfloth, Chatham Daily News With hospitals large and small feeling the pinch across the province, local residents are being encouraged to speak up about the need for investment in their health care. That was the message during a town hall meeting hosted by the Chatham-Kent Health Coalition on Friday night […]

RELEASE: Coalition Applauds Wynne Government for Reversing Course on Seniors’ Drug Fee Increase

(April 8, 2016) Toronto — This week, Ontario’s government announced that it is canceling its plans to dramatically increase user fees for seniors’ drugs after more than 80 organizations signed onto a letter to the Premier asking her to revisit the idea. The government’s plan, announced in the 2016 Ontario Budget in February, would have […]

Newly-formed health coalition defends Wallaceburg hospital

(April 7, 2016) Author: David Gough, Postmedia Network A number of people passionately defended Wallaceburg’s Sydenham District Hospital during the inaugural meeting of the Wallaceburg Health Coalition held at the UAW Hall on Thursday night. Shirley Roebuck, who is the chair of the Chatham-Kent Health Coalition, and who helped to organize the newly-formed Wallaceburg Health […]

Medicare: the ‘plan’ needs monitoring

(April 7, 2016 ) Author: 0 Comments, Orangevill Citizen AMONG THE MANY CHALLENGES faced by the new federal government, few will be as tough as those involved in protecting and improving our health-care system in the face of an aging population and a weak economy. From time to time we hear horror stories about […]

Town Hall to Tackle Hospital Cuts

(April 6, 2016) Author: Tara Jeffrey, The Sarnia Journal Shirley Roebuck says she wants Sarnia-Lambton residents to know what’s really going on at Bluewater Health. “The hospital is overcrowded and overburdened,” said the woman at the helm of the Sarnia-Lambton Health Coalition, which is set to host a town hall meeting on April 12 at […]

OHC town halls planned for Wallaceburg, Chatham, Sarnia

(April 6, 2016 ) Auhtor: Tyler Kula, Sarnia Observer More than 100,000 hours per year of registered nursing have been lost at Bluewater Health in the last 15 months. That’s according to Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA) VP Vicki McKenna. “Of course the nurses there are doing the best they can, but each and every year […]

Trudeau government needs to start enforcing Canada Health Act

(April 4, 2016) Author: Ryan Meili, Evidence Network.ca SASKATOON, Sask. — Extra-billing in Ontario, private MRIs in Saskatchewan and user fees in Quebec: violations of the Canada Health Act are on the rise across the country. Canadian doctors are concerned about this trend’s impact on patients and on our public health-care system. Health Canada publishes […]

Health Coalition Holds Meeting To Protest Hospital Cuts

(April 1, 2016) Author: Kirk Dickinson, BlackburnNews.com The Ontario Health Coalition is appealing to the public to help protest staffing cuts at provincial hospitals, including Windsor Regional. The health coalition held a town hall meting in Windsor on Thursday, and plans to hold a “referendum” using voting stations in May, to give everyone in Ontario […]

EVENT: Upcoming Town Hall Meetings: Attend one near you!

(April 1, 2016) TOWN HALL MEETINGS: Lindsay, Hamilton, Windsor, Chatham, Wallaceburg, Sarnia, Pelham, North Bay, Port Colborne, Toronto, Orillia, Sault Ste. Marie, St. Joseph Island Hospitals across the province are facing serious cuts to services. London’s hospitals are planning $26 million in cuts this year and more cuts are expected to be announced. Lindsay’s Ross […]

Ontario Health Coalition Head Says Province Deliberately Underfunding Hospitals

(March 31, 2016) By: AM 980 The Ontario Health Coalition is not surprised by another round of hospital cuts in London, saying the province is to blame for a lack of funding. St. Joseph’s Health Care announced Wednesday that the Board of Directors had approved a budget plan for 2016-17 that includes eliminating 60 positions, […]

Time for feds to enforce Canada Health Act as extra billing, user fees on rise

(March 30, 2016) By: Ryan Meili, The Hill Times Charging patients at the point of care for medically necessary services strikes at the heart of the principle that access to health care should be based on need rather than ability to pay. It undermines equity, increases system costs and reduces public commitment to universal coverage. […]

Health coalition holding town hall meeting to ‘Stop the Cuts’ at Windsor Regional

(March 29, 2016) By:Brian Cross, Windsor Star The Windsor Health Coalition is kicking off a Stop the Cuts campaign Thursday, holding a town hall meeting to protest the “devastating” impact of staffing cuts at Windsor Regional Hospital. “This is not a campaign directed at Windsor Regional Hospital. The problem is funding, not management,” coalition member […]

Liberals announced a $60-million increase for hospital global budgets for upcoming year

(March 28, 2016 ) By: Jeffrey Ougler, Sault Star SAULT STE. MARIE – Consider it the $60-million question. Sault Area Hospital is unsure as to how provisions in the recent provincial budget for increased hospital dollars will affect 2016/17 funding assumptions. “Any recognition is good,” SAH president and CEO Ron Gagnon told the Sault Star this week. […]

RELEASE: Welland Hospital Awareness Day at Ontario Legislature: Patients, Residents Demand Plan to Close Welland Hospital Be Stopped

(March 21, 2016) Toronto – At a press conference today at Queen’s Park, patients and concerned citizens from Welland issued an urgent plea to Ontario’s Minister of Health to overturn the decision to close the Welland Hospital, telling him that more than 100,000 people served by the Welland Hospital will suffer worse access to […]

RELEASE: Welland Hospital Plan Unveiled: Precarious Services are No Replacement for Hospital Closure, Coalition Warns

(March 18, 2016) Welland/Niagara/Toronto: The Niagara Health System (NHS) revealed a sliver of its hospital plans today. In its email to the media, the hospital outlined its new proposal for an ambulatory care centre (outpatient clinics), an “urgent care” centre (walk-in clinic) and long-term care beds to be located in Welland. The timing of the […]

Hospital town hall meeting on job cuts attracts a crowd in Cobourg

(March 17, 2016) By: Dominik Wisniewski, Northumberland News Approximately 115 people attended Saturday’s event at Cobourg Collegiate Institute COBOURG — Standing before more than 100 residents at Cobourg Collegiate Institute’s Hagen Gym, Linda Mackenzie-Nicholas said she was there because she cares and is concerned about health care cuts. It’s those cuts that prompted Ms. Mackenzie-Nicholas, the co-chairwoman […]

Ontario Health Coalition Skewers Chamber Report On Privatization

(March 15, 2016) Author: AM 980 The Ontario Health Coalition is firing back at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce for its report on health care reform, claiming that the focus needs to be on health rather than wealth. The Chamber report laid out a case for privatization to ease the strain on the public healthcare […]

ANALYSIS: Chamber of Commerce Privatization Report Poorly Researched, Not in Public Interest: Health Coalition

(March 15, 2016) Toronto – The Ontario’s Chamber of Commerce waded into health care reform today with a poorly-researched and argued report that would cause Ontarians harm if implemented, noted the Ontario Health Coalition. The OCC report is not grounded in evidence. It is comprised of a hodgepodge of anecdotes that are often inaccurate and […]

London Health Coalition Hosting Town Hall Meeting on Healthcare Cuts

(March 11, 2016) By: London, Ontario / (CFPL AM) AM 980 Residents upset about recent cuts to healthcare funding in London will have a chance to vent their grievances on Saturday. The London Health Coalition will host a town hall meeting at the N’Amerind Friendship Centre at 260 Colborne Street at 12p.m. Officials are hopeful […]

Mehra makes keynote address

(March 5, 2016) By: Todd Hambleton, Cornwall Standard-Freeholder CORNWALL – Natalie Mehra, considered to be at the forefront of shaping social policy at the provincial level and beyond, was the keynote speaker Saturday morning at the Cornwall & District Labour Council’s annual 2016 International Women’s Day Breakfast. The event was held at the Best Western […]

Bluewater Health waiting on ministry OK for CEEH upgrade funding

(March 3, 2016) By: Tyler Kula, Sarnia Observer Shirley Roebuck worries that long-dwindling funding for hospitals will soon be a threat to rural facilities like Charlotte Eleanor Englehart Hospital in Petrolia. “All over the province of Ontario small and rural hospitals are being targetted as the provincial government pursues its plans to regionalize and consolidate […]

RELEASE: 2016 Ontario Budget — Minimal Funding Increases for Hospitals: Not Far Enough

(February 25, 2016) 2016 Ontario Budget — Minimal Funding Increases for Hospitals: Not Far Enough Toronto – The Ontario Budget, released today at the Ontario Legislature, has announced a $60 million increase for hospital global budgets for the upcoming year. This minimal increase, along with targeted funding, will mean that some hospitals will see […]

Ontario budget 2016: Mixed reaction from health-care, student groups

(February 25, 2016) By: Shanifa Nasser, CBC News A budget can’t be balanced on sheer faith,’ Canadian Taxpayers Federation says Free college and university tuition for low-income families, a new climate change fighting cap-and-trade system and a projected drop in the deficit by nearly $2 billion dollars were among the highlights in Thursday’s provincial budget announcement. That prompted […]

ADVISORY: OHC 2016 Pre-Budget Briefing

(February 25, 2016) 2016 Pre-Budget Briefing Where We Stand: Ontario’s Ranking in Public Service and Health Care Expenditures & Cuts Ontario’s government is making budget choices that cut and privatize public services and health care. These are choices, not necessities. Here’s how we compare relative to other provinces and jurisdictions on some key measures. The […]

Coalition entering Phase 2 of Welland hospital-saving campaign

(February 22, 2016) By: Allan Benner, The Tribune Niagara Health Coalition is stepping up its efforts to save Welland hospital. The group’s chairperson, Sue Hotte, said several meetings are being held in south Niagara in the weeks to come to launch the second phase of its ongoing campaign to keep the hospital open and vibrant. […]

Ministry funding should continue: HKPR Health Unit

(February 21, 2016) By: Valerie MacDonald, Northumberland Today NORTHUMBERLAND – The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit’s board members voted unanimously Thursday to ask the health ministry to keep funding health units in Ontario directly. The Ministry has proposed hand the power to the Local Health Integration Units (LHINs) in the province. The Central East LHIN […]

‘Keep Hydro Public’ campaign launched by coalition of 18

(February 17, 2016) By: Tabitha Wells, Orangeville Citizen While Premier Kathleen Wynne has refused to back down from plans to privatize Hydro One, Ontarians are not backing down in their disagreement with the move. A coalition called Keep Hydro Public, which has over 18 groups declared as public supporters (including CUPE Ontario, ETFO, OSSTF and […]

RELEASE: Devastating Hospital Cuts & Flawed Process for Health Reform Consultation: Key Issues for this Session of the Ontario Legislature

(February 16, 2016) Toronto – Ontario’s premier stated that jobs and the economy are her priorities for this session of Ontario’s Legislature, which opened today. Impacting both jobs and local economies but not part of the Premier’s media messages, two key health care issues impacting Ontario’s communities will also be on the front-burner, including: Devastating […]

Provincial News: New phase in Keep Hydro Public campaign builds on growing opposition to sale-will jolt local MPPs

(February 9, 2016) By: Northumberland View TORONTO, ON – Today at Queen’s Park, the Keep Hydro Public campaign unveiled the look for a new phase in the fight to stop privatization of Hydro One. “An overwhelming majority of Ontarians are angry about the Liberal’s planned hydro sell-off. This new phase in the campaign will help people […]

MPP Rinaldi lobbies for services

(February 8, 2016) By: Valerie MacDonald, Northumberland Today NORTHUMBERLAND – After CUPE Local 2628 issued a media release calling on Northumberland-Quinte West’s MPP to lobby against hospital cuts for the good of the local community and Hwy. 401 users, Lou Rinaldi responded by saying he has been doing this already for services ranging from health to education. […]

MEDIA ADVISORY-Opposition to hydro sale still strong: new campaign phase will jolt Liberal MPPs

(February 5, 2016) By: Market Wired TORONTO, ONTARIO–(Marketwired – Feb. 5, 2016) – The Keep Hydro Public coalition will unveil the next phase in the campaign to stop the sale of Hydro One on Tuesday, February 9. The campaign supports strong and growing community opposition to the sale. It will focus attention on holding Liberal […]

Port Hope resident urges others to contact MPP, MP about NHH changes

(February 4, 2016) By: Valerie MacDonald, Northumberland Today PORT HOPE – In the face of hospital funding cuts, restructuring and layoffs at Northumberland Hills Hospital (NHH) in Cobourg, a Port Hope author is advising people to contact their local MP and MPP. “And write letters to the editor, it all makes people more aware (of what is […]

Local OHC co-chair speaks out about NHH restructuring

(February 3, 2016) By: Valerie MacDonald, Northumberland Today NORTHUMBERLAND – As Ontario Health Coalition (OHC) supporters rallied at Queen’s Park this week putting hospital cuts front and centre – including those at Northumberland Hills Hospital in 2005 – the new co-chair of the Northumberland OHC chapter has spoken out about the current restructuring and layoffs underway at […]

Labour activists fight devastating cuts to Ontario’s health services

(February 2, 2016) By: Teuila Fuatai, rabble.ca Hundreds of workers protesting nine years of cuts to Ontario’s health-care budget gathered at Queen’s Park yesterday. The rally, organized by the Ontario Health Coalition (OHC), the Ontario Federation of Labour and the Ontario Common Front, coincides with the standing committee on finance and economic affairs’ pre-budget consultation […]

Patients need real solutions to a health system in crisis

(February 1, 2016) By: Julie Devaney On Friday I wrote about my personal and political experiences as a patient activist and my take on the new patient ombudsman position to which Christine Elliot has been appointed. I have a lot more to say about many aspects of this appointment and its implications. Today, my starting […]

RELEASE: Patients, Concerned Citizens and Workers Rally Outside Pre-Budget Hearings to Stop Devastating Hospital Cuts, Privatization

(February 1, 2016) As MPPs from all three political parties from the Ontario Legislature traveled to Toronto for pre-budget hearings today, they were met with protests by patients, concerned residents and health care workers. The message was clear: stop the devastating cuts to – and privatization of – local hospitals across Ontario. The Ontario Legislature’s Standing […]

UPDATE: Pre-budget hearing rallies!

(February 1, 2016) Ontario Health Coalition Executive Director presented to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs at the Ontario Legislature this morning. Here is the Ontario Health Coalition’s submission with the most recent hospital spending, nursing levels (all nurse classifications), and hospital beds and overcrowding statistics. Please share with those who might be […]

Protesters demand Queen’s Park stop public service cuts

(February 1, 2016) By: Dario Balca, CTV Toronto Cries about insufficient funding echoed across the lawn of Queen’s Park Monday as more than a hundred people gathered to make their voices heard ahead of pre-budget consultations. The crowd was made up of healthcare workers, union leaders and student groups demanding that the Ontario government stop […]

LONDON HEALTH SCIENCES CENTRE – Hospital hiring freeze, but no layoffs to full-time staff, says union

(January 28, 2016) By: Kate Dubinski, The London Free Press London’s largest hospital is replacing its cleaning staff with lower-paid contract workers, a shift one health advocacy group warns will lead to more patient infections and deaths. The move, to be phased in over seven years, will save the London Health Sciences Centre $1.9 million a […]

Hospital budget freeze protestors sound off in northern Ontario

(January 21, 2016) By: CBC News With budget freezes in place at hospitals for the 4th year in a row, the OCHU is keeping up the pressure Some health care groups plan to lobby a provincial pre-budget committee to end a freeze on hospital budgets. Michael Hurley, who is with the Ontario Council of Hospital […]

President of the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions/CUPE warns pre-budget hearing province’s health care in critical conditions

(January 21, 2016) By: Jeff Ougler, Sault Star SAULT STE. MARIE – A continued freeze to base operating funding for Ontario hospitals will yield a dire diagnoses for health care — particularly in Northern Ontario, contends the president of the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions/CUPE (OCHU). Michael Hurley, one of a number of presenters to the provincial government’s […]

Ontario government announces parking fee cut: Here’s the low-down on high-cost hospital parking & hospital funding in Ontario

posted January 20, 2016

(January 20, 2016) By: Natalie Mehra, executive director, OHC We have raised it repeatedly for the last half-decade or more in legislative hearings on the Ontario Budget and the Local Health Integration Networks. Now, finally, the Ontario government is taking some modest action to roll back the worst of hospital parking fees. In advance of the […]

Healthcare issues inform provincial pre-budget session in Windsor

(January 19, 2016) Members of the provincial legislature, in Windsor Tuesday for pre-budget consultations, were greeted by protesters calling primarily for increased healthcare funding. Natlie Mehra, executive director of the Ontario Health Coalition, said members of her organization have appeared at these consultations for nine years, but the Liberal government hasn’t listened to demands to […]

Hospital cuts protested outside Windsor pre-budget consultations

(January 19, 2016) By: CTV Windsor 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. The groups gathered outside pre-budget consultations in Windsor. “Here in Windsor, we are seeing the effects of austerity in every community, “said […]

Protesters rally against health-care cuts outside pre-budget hearing

(January 19, 2016) By: Dave Waddell, Windsor Star Windsor protesters gave Ontario’s health-care system a thorough examination Tuesday and offered a grim diagnosis. About 60 people rallied against health-care cutbacks outside Caesar’s Windsor while another 10 health organizations made presentations during provincial pre-budget hearings. “Ontario is now at the bottom of the country in terms of health-care funding,” Natalie […]

RELEASE: Protect Public Medicare as first priority, as Canada’s Health Ministers gather to meet in Vancouver: Health Advocates

(January 19, 2016) Toronto/Vancouver – Urgent action must be taken to safeguard equal health care for all as a first priority as Health Ministers from across Canada gather in Vancouver this week, say advocates from the public health care watchdog the Ontario Health Coalition. “We are seeing an alarming increase in user fees charged to […]

No rally planned for Northumberland Hills Hospital

(January 18, 2016) By: Valerie MacDonald NORTHUMBERLAND – Northumberland Hills Hospital is not alone in the continuing restructuring going on in these public institutions across the province. “We are now entering the ninth consecutive year of hospital cuts – the longest stretch of cuts in Ontario’s history,” states a media release from the Ontario Health Coalition (OHC) […]

Ontario Health Coalition could make formal complaint about restructuring at NHH

(January 18, 2016) By: Valerie MacDonald, Northumberland Today NORTHUMBERLAND – The Ontario Health Coalition is questioning the way proposed hospital changes are being handled at Northumberland Hills Hospital (NHH). “How can they approve a document that the public hasn’t even seen?” Ontario Health Coalition executive director Natalie Mehra said in an interview. Mehra said she will be […]

ONA Members Demand Community Hospital Cuts End at OHC Rally

(January 1, 2016) By: ONA FrontLines ONA members were among the hundreds of patients, seniors, veterans, health advocates and health care workers gathered at a rally in Trenton on November 13 to deliver a strong message to the region’s Liberal MPP Lou Rinaldi: community hospitals across Ontario can’t take any more cuts. The Take Back […]

ONA Mourns Fallen LTC Residents, Calls for Change

(January, 2016) By: ONA Frontlines ONA members and staff have honoured those impacted by violence and inadequate care in the province’s long-term care (LTC) homes at a somber ceremony at Queen’s Park on October 1. The event, staged by the Ontario Health Coalition (OHC) to coincide with International Day of Older Persons, marked the 10-year […]

Paying to be a patient? Toronto woman calls doctor’s annual $150 fee request ‘galling’

(December 10, 2015) By: Ashley Csanady, Canadian Politics A Toronto woman is upset with a letter she received from her doctor asking for an annual fee. Such practices are allowed but she feels the missive wasn’t clear it was for optional services. A Toronto woman was incensed after receiving a letter from her doctor asking […]

IN THE NEWS: Health Care Wait Times – What is the Real Story?

(December 8, 2015) By: Natalie Mehra, Executive Director, Ontario Health Coalition Today, a high-profile report tracking health care wait times was released from the Wait Times Alliance. Eliminating Code Gridlock in Canada’s Health Care System, is a credible summary and a useful addition to public policy decisions about health care planning. It is written by […]

Medical errors: Who’s to blame?

(December 1, 2015) By: Adwaa Qutub, Hamilton Spectator Your Stories is a Spectator forum for community submissions on subjects of interest. They appear as submitted. To submit an article, follow the Talk to Us links on the home page of thespec.com Isn’t it questionable that they rarely blame a pilot for a plane crash, but […]

Rally protests health-care cuts

(November 30, 2015) By: North Bay Nugget The size of your wallet should not determine the quality of health care you receive. That was the message delivered to close to a thousand protesters calling for the provincial government to free up more money for hospitals in Northern Ontario – particularly the North Bay Regional Health […]

Ontario ‘backsliding,’ as income inequality balloons, manufacturing jobs drain out of province, report says

(November 20, 2015) Almost half of Ontarians stuck in neutral as top 10 per cent “make off like bandits” OFL says By: Canadian Manufacturing.com Staff, Canadian Manufacturing.com Ontario has an unemployment rate of 7.3 per cent, above the national average of 6.9 per cent. PHOTO: Benson Kua, via Wikimedia Commons TORONTO—An entire generation of Ontarians […]

Ontario at bottom for good jobs, social spending: Report

(November 19, 2015) By: Sara Mojtehedzadeh, Work and Wealth Reporter While Ontario’s rich are getting richer, the province now has the highest proportion of minimum wage workers in the country — while social spending is now the lowest in Canada, according to a new report. General Motors, in Oshawa, has shed hundreds of jobs as some […]

Hundreds rally for Our TMH

(November 13, 2015) By: Bill Glisky, INQUINTE.CA People chanted, they waved flags, they cheered, they even danced… all with one purpose – to send the message to stop the cuts. Not even blasting cold winds could cool down the more than 600 people at Trenton’s Centennial Park on Friday determined to let Queen’s Park know […]

DEMANDING AN END TO “ATTACK ON HEALTHCARE”

(November 13, 2015) By: Quinte News Cold heavy winds didn’t deter almost 600 people from coming together to send a message to the province that they won’t stand for anymore cuts to healthcare. This comes a week before the Quinte Healthcare Corporation is expected to announce another round of cuts to local hospitals as it […]

Bus headed to Trenton health-care protest Friday

(November 11, 2015) By: Peterborough Examiner Local residents are invited to join an Ontario Health Coalition bus trip to a rally in Trenton Friday. The coalition is organizing the rally to protest cuts to provincial hospital funding, which could lead to the loss of staff and services at health-care facilities across the province. Other protests […]

Rally a ‘critical’ point

(November 4, 2015) By: Ernst Kuglin, The Intelligencer/Trentonian ERNST KUGLIN/THE INTELLIGENCER Officials with Our TMH and Ontario Health Coalition are putting the final touches on the Nov. 13 Centennial Park rally to protest health care cuts and service restructuring. The rally starts at noon and goes to 2 p.m. organizers are expecting between 1,000 and […]

Meeting Thursday to address possible cuts at Northumberland Hills Hospital

(November 2, 2015) By: Valerie MacDonald, Northumberland Radio NORTHUMBERLAND – A meeting this week will address possible cuts at Northumberland Hills Hospital (NHH) and organize a Regional Day of Action concerning hospital funding in general for next week. The meeting will be co-hosted by the Ontario Health Coalition (OHC) and the Northumberland Health Coalition (NHC) and is scheduled […]

“You’ve gotta stop cutting” patient tells provincial government: “They tell us to go for help, but where do you go?”

(October 30, 2015) By Jeff Turl, The Bay Today Health workers and patients rallied outside of the Regional Health Centre on King St. this morning. Photo by Jeff Turl. Lana Brown of North Bay has seen first-hand what cuts to health services locally are doing. “They put us through so much at the hospital that it’s […]

If The Wynne Government Can Privatize Hydro One, Even Though It Will Drive Up Costs For Ontario Residents And Businesses, What’s Next?…

(October 30, 2015) By Natalie Mehra, Niagara At Large (Natalie Mehra and the non-profit activist group she directs may be familiar to people in Niagara, Ontario who have lobbied to save hospital services across this region. She and members of the OHA have made numerous visits to Niagara in recent years to support residents in their […]

Coalition urges end to hospital cuts

(October 30, 2015) By North Bay Nugget Staff A coalition of health advocates, health workers and patients want the provincial government to not only stop reductions at the North Bay Regional Health Centre, but to restore services which have already been cut. “We feel our demands are not unreasonable,” Michael Taylor, co-chair of the North […]

Health officials, politicians unite

(October 29, 2015) By Luke Hendry, The Intelligencer Luke Hendry/The Intelligencer Prince Edward County Mayor Robert Quaiff speaks during a special meeting of area mayors and health officials at Hastings County headquarters in Belleville Thursday. Mayors attacked Ontario’s new funding formula for hospitals. With him at the table were Mayors Jim Harrison of Quinte West, back […]

Making a Killing: the Drug Industry & the Cost of the Newest Trade Deal

posted October 29, 2015

(October 29, 2015) By Natalie Mehra, Executive Director, OHC One in twelve Ontarians aged 55 and up skipped filling a prescription for medicine because of cost last year, reported Ontario’s Health Quality Council earlier this month. This shocking figure reflects the high cost of drugs; highest here in Canada of any developed nation except the […]

Health coalition gearing up for rally

(October 29, 2015) By North Bay Nugget Staff The Ontario Health Coalition and its North Bay chapter are gearing up for next month’s Take Back Our Hospital Rally. At 9 a.m. Friday, local health patients, seniors, health advocates and hospital workers are expected to endorse the rally at 120 King St. W., outside by the sign […]

Hastings County to talk hospital funding

(October 28, 2015) By Ernst Kuglin, The Intelligencer/Trentonian BELLEVILLE – Hospital funding and local health care services will be front and centre Thursday during a special meeting organized by Hastings County for Quinte region mayors. The meeting is scheduled for 1 p.m. in Belleville at the county offices on Pinnacle Street. Our TMH chair John Smylie will […]

An opportunity for Ellis to make an impression

(October 27, 2015) By Ernst Kuglin, The Intelligencer/Trentonian John Smylie said given the overwhelming demand for political change, he doubts he could have retained the Bay of Quinte Riding for the Conservatives in last week’s federal election. Quite the admission from the popular businessman and philanthropist, but a pragmatic one nonetheless. Besides the overwhelming disdain […]

Peterborough Regional Health Centre board taking time to find the ‘right candidate’ as hospital CEO

(October 27, 2015) By Ernst Kuglin, The Peterborough Examiner Peterborough Regional Health Centre board chairwoman Mary Ferguson-Paré is seen at the hospital on Monday, Oct. 26, 2015 in Peterborough, Ont. The hospital board is taking the time it needs to find the “perfect candidate” for its empty chief executive officer position. ‘We’re not going to take […]

EVENTS: Take Back Our Hospitals: Fall Days of Action in S/E Ont, N/E Ont, and Scarborough/Durham

(October 23, 2015) Take Back Our Hospitals Days of Action in S/E Ontario, N/E Ontario and Scarborough/Durham Southeastern Ontario Rally Friday November 13, 12 p.m. Centennial Park, Trenton Buses will be traveling in from the whole region. For more info on buses email us at ohc@sympatico.ca Active citizens have succeeded in stopping cuts all across Ontario. Let’s […]

Giant hospital rally announced on the heels of successful Health Teleconference Call: Hospital Horror stories told during Massive Teleconference Call

(October 23, 2015) By Chris Dawson, The Bay Today Shawn Shank says the stories were shocking. “They had horror stories like about admission and early discharges and people going home sick,” said Shank. “One person talked about getting 15 minutes a week of home care after having major surgery.” The testimonials were part of a massive city-wide […]

QHC cuts to coincide with rally

(October 22, 2015) By Ernst Kuglin, The Intelligencer/Trentonian BELLEVILLE – The process of laying off dozens of unionized staff employed by Quinte Health Care will begin at about the same time as hundreds of people protest hospital cuts at Trenton’s Centennial Park. Quinte Health Care will begin notifying unions on Nov.12 beginning with physiotherapy and occupational therapy […]

Mass rally against hospital cuts planned for November 30th

(October 22, 2015) By Richard Coffin, Fox Radio Health care workers are looking to North Bay residents to circle November 30th on their calendars and join in a mass rally that’s being held against cuts at the hospital. Ontario Health Coalition Director Natalie Mehra says the cuts are the “worst in Ontario right now” and […]

Our TMH taking fight to next level

(October 22, 2015) By InQuinte.ca Staff, InQuinte.ca The fight to save services at Trenton Memorial Hospital is ratcheting up, with provincial group stepping into lend support to the cause. Our TMH said recently it would be taking a more aggressive to saving services at the hospital Quinte Health Care revealed it would be moving 2,400 day […]

CUPE organizing hospital rally

(October 22, 2015) By Jennifer Hamilton – McCharles, The North bay Nugget The North Bay and area community will have an opportunity to speak out against hospital cuts at the North Bay Regional Health Centre. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) is organizing a public rally for noon Nov. 30 at Lee Park. Natalie […]

Hospital community telephone town halls slated for Thursday

(October 21, 2015) By BayToday Staff, Baytoday.ca “There’s a higher rate of chronic illness in the north. People here, on average, are also older than elsewhere in Ontario. It’s harmful to patients that the province does not recognize that these key factors impact on the hospital’s ability to provide quality care and give the additional funding […]

Taking the Pulse on Canadian Health Before the Vote on Monday

(October 17, 2015) By Sharmini Peries, The Real News Network Natalie Mehra, Executive Director of the Ontario Health Coalition, and Linda Silas, President of the Canadians Federation of Nurses Unions, say the Harper cuts to health care lead to one of the most expensive drug plans in the developed world Bio Natalie Mehra is the Director […]

OP-ED: Conservatives are wrong to refuse debate on health care

(October 16, 2015) By: Natalie Mehra Across Ontario federal Conservative candidates have refused to attend most all-candidates debates on health care. This is a new low. Never has any political party simply refused to debate a leading issue for voters. In correspondence and the media, candidates have excused themselves, saying that “health is a provincial […]

VIDEO: How do “tax cuts” stack up against new costs as a result of health care cuts?

(October 16, 2015) We’re besieged with commercials and messages about tax cuts. But who’s paying for them and how? Here’s a 2 minute video that you’ll want to know about:

Oshawa joins push for universal pharmacare program

(October 16, 2015) By: Reka Szekely, Oshawa This Week Growing health-care coalition argues Canada needs a universal pharmacare program to compliment medicare OSHAWA — Canada is the only country with a universal health-care program but no pharmacare and a growing coalition in the health sector is arguing that it doesn’t make sense to cover the […]

Conservative and Liberal candidates snub health-care debate

(October 6, 2015) By: David Gough, Postmedia Network It’s likely that a lot of voters weren’t moved to change their vote following an all-candidates health-care forum held at the Walpole Island Sports Complex on Oct. 1. Both the Liberal and Conservative candidates snubbed the forum organized by the Chatham-Kent Health Coalition, leaving the NDP and […]

Election candidates to debate health care

(October 6, 2015) By: The Welland Tribune Local federal election candidates will share their thoughts and ideas about the delivery of health-care services during three debates scheduled for later this week. The Ontario Health Coalition has organized a series of political debates in communities across the province, focusing on health-care issues in the various ridings. […]

Union marches for health care as election issue

(October 2, 2015) By: Jon Thompson, tbnewswatch.com THUNDER BAY — Public health care hasn’t been central in the federal election campaign but those who work in the field say it ought to be. Over 100 local health care workers marched along Balmoral Street to the Local Health integration Network office over the lunch hour on […]

Federal Election 2015 – Vote Health Care!

(October 2, 2015) Canadians share a deeply held belief that access to health care should not be based on how rich we are, but on our medical need. Most of us believe that our government will not purposely destroy public health care. But privatization is a serious threat and it would dismantle health care for […]

Public funding for long term care must be redirected to services for seniors

(October 1, 2015) By: Lloyd Mack, Kenora Miner and News Two weeks ago, I mentioned my grandmother in a column I penned about Greyhound Canada’s plans to cut the number of scheduled trips along the TransCanada, I’ve been thinking of her again in the wake of a horror-filled report released last week by Ontario’s Auditor […]

CITY IN BRIEF: CUPE workers protest long-term care home deaths

(October 1, 2015) By: The Peterborough Examiner Staff Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) health care workers from Peterborough are heading to Queen’s Park on Thursday for an event in remembrance of long-term-care residents killed as a result of violence by another resident. Organized by the Ontario Health Coalition, the event starts at 10:30 a.m. […]

Three of Sarnia-Lambton’s four candidates debated health-care issues Wednesday

(September 30, 2015) By Barbara Simpson, Sarnia Observer The Harper government’s treatment of veterans came under attack from three of Sarnia-Lambton’s federal candidates Wednesday night. “If Canada is willing to send our sons and daughters to fight overseas, we better damn well take care of them if they’re lucky enough to come back alive,” NDP […]

Ceremony to remember residents killed in nursing homes

(September 30, 2015) By Sudbury Northern Life Staff Ontario Health Coalition says more funding needed for long-term care sector A group of Sudbury health-care workers are headed to Toronto tomorrow for a ceremony in memory of the 29 long-term care residents who have been killed by other residents in Ontario nursing homes since 2001. 2015 […]

Candidates likely to skip health forum

(September 30, 2015) By David Gough, Postmedia Network Despite the fact that the Conservative and Liberal candidates cannot make it, the Chatham-Kent Health Coalition is still hosting all-candidates event this Thursday. The event is being called an open forum on Canadian health care. It will be held at the Walpole Island Sports Complex this Thursday […]

Government to blame for Northumberland hospital cuts: union

(September 30, 2015) By Karen Longwell, Northumberland News Northumberland Quinte-West MPP Lou Rinaldi argues hospital funding has increased in the last decade COBOURG — A review of Northumberland Hills Hospital doesn’t get to the heart of the operating budget shortfalls, according to union officials. Hospitals across Ontario are cutting services in the face of a […]

Nurses associations joining Health Coalition in supporting debate

(September 27, 2015) By Neil Bowen, Sarnia Observer Wednesday’s scheduled candidates’ debate over health care might not be so much about what the candidates say as about the candidate who has already said she won’t attend. Sarnia-Lambton Conservative candidate Marilyn Gladu has stated she won’t be attending the meeting, scheduled for Sarnia library auditorium from […]

Health coalition wants to hear from local candidates on health care

(September 24, 2015) By Shaun Malley, CBC News Neighbourhood rally designed to engage voters on election issues. A group of about a dozen LaSalle residents met Thursday to try and make health care a top issue in the upcoming federal election. The Windsor Health Coalition sponsored the gathering, which featured speakers talking about their personal […]

Auditor Wants Thorough Review of Home Care Services

(September 23, 2015) By Donovan Vincent, The Star News Reporter Nearly 40 per cent of the $1.5 billion the province spends on centres that provide home and community based health care doesn’t go toward “face-to-face” treatment of patients. That’s among the key findings in a 65-page report from Ontario’s auditor general, who is calling for […]

Candidates Square off at Cornwall Chamber Luncheon

(September 21, 2015) By Greg Peerenboon, Cornwall Standard-Freeholder About three dozen people, mostly business-types, were presented with a number of dishes to chew on during a Chamber of Commerce organized Q&A luncheon Monday at a Pitt Street eatery. Despite a preponderance of business-related issues, the spiciest item on the menu appeared to be health care, […]

Brockville hospital cuts hurt patients

(July 28, 2015) By Ronald Zajac, Recorder and Times A provincial funding freeze is leading Brockville General Hospital to cut front-line staffing and endanger patient health, a small group of health care union advocates said Tuesday. The Ontario Health Coalition launched a petition urging the provincial government to stop the recently announced cuts at BGH […]

CAMPAIGN: Petition to save hospital services at Brockville General Hospital

(July 29, 2015) Click here for Petition (PDF)

Health Action Assembly and Conference 2015

(July 27, 2015) Health Action Assembly & Conference ASSEMBLY Saturday, November 21 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Church of the Holy Trinity 10 Trinity Sqr. (tucked in beside Eaton Centre off of James St.) Toronto $0 – $40 sliding scale per day (Please pay what you are able. Your fees help subsidize coalition members from […]

Advisory Devastating Hospital Cuts at Brockville General Hospital

(July 24, 2015) Devastating Hospital Cuts at Brockville General Hospital — Coalition Launches a Petition to Protect Hospital Services Brockville General Hospital is facing major direct cuts to departments all across the hospital including the intensive care unit, operating room, complex care, palliative care, emergency, stress test clinic, day surgery, diagnostic imaging, medical/surgical, and switchboard, amounting […]

Ontario shifting home care to private clinics as province seeks savings

(July 13, 2015) By Kelly Grant and Elizabeth Church, Globe & Mail When Jennifer Sewell had a benign cyst removed from her left breast last summer, the procedure was supposed to be a straightforward day surgery. Instead, the 40-year-old mother of two from rural Southwestern Ontario developed an infection at her incision site, a wound […]

Ontario Health Coalition 2015 Award Nominations Are Now Open!

(July 13, 2015) Anyone who supports the work of the Ontario Health Coalition is invited to nominate persons who they believe to best embody any of the following awards. To download a Microsoft Word version of the nomination form, please click here. The Daniel Benedict Award Daniel Benedict, a distinguished former Ontario Health Coalition board […]

EVENTS: Southwestern Ontario’s Day of Action to Stop Privatization and Protect Our Public Healthcare and Services!

(July 6, 2015) Thank-you to everyone that came out to support Southwestern Ontario’s Day of Action on Friday, June 26. Over 200 people stood outside Deb Matthew’s office in London to raise awareness about the serious cuts that are happening to our hospitals and services. Stay tuned via Facebook, Twitter and/or our website for further events […]

Giant Rocking Chair Tour stops in Ingersoll

(June 16, 2015) By John Tapley, Ingersoll Times The Ontario Health Coalition’s Giant Rocking Chair Tour made a stop in downtown Ingersoll on Friday, June 12, to help raise awareness of its campaign for a minimum standard of care to be reinstated for long term care facilities in Ontario and to improve access to long […]

Health care advocates take it to the streets

(May 27, 2015) By Steve Henschel, Niagara This Week Welland’s Don Huneault makes his voice heard during a rally at St. Catharines MPP Jim Bradley’s office held by the Save Our Welland Hospital campaign and Ontario Health Coalition in opposition to proposed cuts to health care in Niagara and beyond. ST. CATHARINES — Over 100 people took […]

Ottawa couple speaks out against hospital cuts after 48-hour wait in ER

(June 10, 2015) By Adam Feibel, Ottawa Citizen Nancy Parker is joining an Ontario Health Coalition protest Friday at MPP Bob Chiarelli’s office because of the long delays her heart-patient husband has faced in gaining admission to hospital. The emergency room has become a familiar place for Lee Parker. A heart attack in November and subsequent […]

EVENT: Giant Rocking Chair Tour 2015

(June 3, 2015) “Rock in” Ontario’s Way to Comfort, Safety and Care Come out and show your support as we, make time to care! Join the Ontario Health Coalition, local health coalitions, friends and allies as we tour the province, pushing for improved access to care and improved levels of care in Ontario’s long-term care homes. A giant 10-foot tall rocking chair will […]

EVENTS: Join us at the upcoming Ottawa Region Day of Action

(May 29, 2015) Our next Regional Day of Action is fast approaching!

Friday rally in Sudbury geared to urge government to stop bleeding

(April 16, 2015) By Jeffrey Ougler, Sault Star Current cuts to Ontario health care do not cut the mustard with Ontario Health Coalition — and the advocacy group plans to give the provincial government a good piece of its mind Friday.

CCH avoids ‘Code Red’… for now

(April 4, 2015) By Greg Peerenboom, Cornwall Standard-Freeholder The ‘code red’ is not flashing over the Cornwall Community Hospital. But the power cord is lying beside the electrical outlet. That’s the warning that CCH CEO Jeanette Despatie is sounding in the wake of a public awareness move by the Ontario Health Coalition, which has placed […]

Hamilton’s hospitals are over capacity

(April 3, 2015) By Joanna Frketich, Hamilton Spectator Hamilton’s hospitals are bursting at the seams. Two of the city’s adult acute care hospitals are far over capacity while the third is close to full. Overcrowding is the worst at Juravinski Hospital on Concession Street, which has eight per cent more patients than funded beds. St. […]

Expert review slams Kevin Smith hospital report

(April 2, 2015) By Melinda Cheevers and Steven Henschel, Fort Erie Post WELLAND, NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE — An expert review of the Niagara Health System’s blueprint for future health care delivery has called the plans “dangerous” and describes the region as heading towards a “profoundly risky situation.”

‘Code Red’ at Ontario Hospitals: Health coalition

(April 2, 2015) By Dani-Elle Dube, Ottawa Sun Hospitals across Ontario are deep into in crisis mode and it’s only going to get worse if something isn’t done about it soon, said the Ontario Health Coalition (OHC) Thursday.

Health care supporters rally at offices of Scarborough Centre Conservative MP James

(March 31, 2015) By Scarborough Mirror A large crowd of universal health care supporters held a rally outside the offices of Scarborough Centre Conservative MP Roxanne James’ constituency office on Tuesday, March 31, afternoon.

Hospital plans ‘deeply flawed’, expert

(March 30, 2015) By Allan Benner, The Tribune A British international health policy expert hammered the Niagara Health System’s hospital restructuring plans, citing a “glaring” lack of public consultation and research.

Crisis support program shutting down after 18 years

(March 26, 2015) By Theresa Boyle, The Toronto Star A 24-hour crisis response program in Toronto is shutting down. The Community Crisis Response Program, which has been funded by the Scarborough Hospital for the last 18 years, is shutting down Friday.

HSN downplays cuts, says Ontario Health Coalition

(March 24, 2015) By Jonathan Migneault, Sudbury Northern Life Health Sciences North has “seriously downplayed” the impact of upcoming cuts to frontline care, says the executive director of the Ontario Health Coalition. “The camel’s back has broken,” said Natalie Mehra. “At this point we need to work to restore beds and services.”

Ontario Health Coalition to host public forum on hospital cuts

(March 20, 2015) By Sudbury Northern Life Staff In light of recent news at Health Sciences North, the Sudbury chapter of the Ontario Health Coalition has planned a public meeting to discuss upcoming hospital cuts at the United Steelworkers Hall on Brady Street, on March 24.

Hospital cuts stir concern

(March 15, 2015) By Carol Mulligan, Sudbury Star Sudburians concerned about potential cuts to hospital services are being urged to attend a public meeting March 24 to try to stop them from occurring. The Ontario Health Coalition says Health Sciences North is planning to cut more than 87,000 hours of nursing care and to close […]

A golden chance to fix home-care mess: Hepburn

(March 14, 2015) By Bob Hepburn, The Toronto Star After years of denying anything was wrong, the Ontario Liberal government must now face the truth that it’s made a mess of home care in this province. At the same time, though, the government has just been handed a golden opportunity to fix a system that […]

Local home care services lacking: Ontario Health Coalition survey

(March 12, 2015) By Joelle Kovach, Peterborough Examiner A scathing new report on the state of home care in Ontario includes a section on how some Peterborough residents think local services are lacking. The Ontario Health Coalition released its report Wednesday after interviewing nearly 100 people across Ontario about their experiences with home care.

Ontario’s home-care system needs urgent changes, expert panel says

(March 12, 2015) By Theresa Boyle, The Toronto Star Ontario’s home and community care system is failing patients and their families and needs “urgent attention,” says an expert panel tasked by the province to take a hard look at services and suggest fixes. “Everyone — clients and families, providers and funders — is frustrated with […]

Policy needed on how far apart mat wards can be

(March 11, 2015) By Ronald Zajac, Recorder and Times Natalie Mehra has seen so many maternity wards close, she has a simple question for the Ontario government. “Is there a kind of policy that’s being passed behind closed doors to close down smaller centres’ and rural hospitals’ birthing?” she asked in an interview this week

TMH rally attracts good crowd

(March 9, 2015) By Joyce Cassin, Quinte West News After listening respectfully to local politicians, and representatives from the Local Health Integration Network, Our TMH, Ontario Health Coalition, etc., the residents in attendance at the rally interested in saving Trenton Memorial Hospital got down to their concerns.

Save OB Group hits Toronto

(March 6, 2015) By Jason Viau, Blackburn News Four Leamington women travelled to Toronto, meeting with politicians from all parties with hopes of keeping the local obstetrics unit alive. The goal of the trip, they say, was to bring the issue to the forefront of Queen’s Park.

Mothers go to Queen’s Park in support of Leamington obstetrics unit

(March 5, 2015) By Rick Dawes, The Windsor Star Leamington moms have taken the county obstetrics battle to Queen’s Park. MPP Taras Natyshak (NDP—Essex) tweeted about the women at the Ontario Legislative Building Thursday morning.

Leamington, Ont., moms sound alarm over potential birthing centre closure (Leamington-Hospital)

(March 5, 2015) By The Canadian Press TORONTO – Ontario’s health minister says he is confident that even if an obstetrics unit in the Leamington hospital closes, women and babies in the area will receive high-quality care. Eric Hoskins says a decision is expected in June on whether Leamington District Memorial Hospital will close its […]

Ontario urged to prevent obstetrics closure

Cuts to Ontario birthing services ripped

(March 5, 2015) By Antonella Artuso, Toronto Sun TORONTO – Women are increasingly being forced to travel farther to have their babies as hospital birthing services are cut or shut down completely, the Ontario Health Coalition (OHC) warns. The OHC brought a group of women, including expectant mothers, to Queen’s Park Thursday to highlight the possible loss […]

Our TMH rally expected to draw hundreds

(March 5, 2015) By Ernest Kuglin, The Intelligencer/Trentonian QUINTE WEST – The community-based movement to prevent sending local health care services “brick by brick” down the road to Belleville continues Saturday. The Our TMH rally at Trenton High School is expected to draw hundreds of residents. The rally starts at 1 p.m.

Ontario must change law on hospital secrecy

(March 4, 2015) Op-Ed, Toronto Star It’s hard to imagine that a 33-year-old woman could die in a Toronto hospital after being admitted for a toothache. But that’s what happened to Pamela Minocha. Why such an unimaginable tragedy occurred is unknown. Because of a provincial secrecy loophole under which hospitals can conduct critical care investigations, […]

Coalition isn’t done hunting for answers to ‘accounting errors’ at Peterborough’s hospital

(March 4, 2015) By Sarah Frank, Peterborough This Week PETERBOROUGH — The Peterborough Health Coalition is staying the course on a mission to further investigate the cause and fallout of $57 million worth of “accounting errors” at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre. By submitting freedom of information requests, the group is hoping to receive more […]

The Community deserves more from hospital officials: Peterborough Health Coalition

(February 26, 2015) By Lance Anderson, Peterborough This Week PETERBOROUGH — More information about the hospital’s $57 million “accounting errors” fiasco needs to be given to the public, according to Roy Brady. Mr. Brady, a member of the Peterborough Health Coalition, recently received a letter from Peterborough Regional Health Centre officials. That letter was in […]

Meeting hears Sault Area Hospital cuts must be curbed

(February 25, 2015) By Jeffrey Ougler, Sault Star SAULT AREA HOSPITAL – Hands off Sault Area Hospital hands-on health-care workers. That was an overriding message conveyed Wednesday evening during a meeting organized by The Sault Ste. Marie Health Coalition, along with the Ontario Health Coalition, area health-care workers, concerned community groups and local citizens, geared to “save […]

Letter: Peterborough Regional Health Centre responds to community’s concerns

(February 24, 2015) By Peterborough This Week The Peterborough Regional Health Centre has published this letter addressed to Roy Brady, member of the Peterborough Health Coalition, in response Mr. Brady’s presentation to the hospital’s board of directors. Thank you for your letter of Jan. 12 and for your presentation to our Jan. 28 meeting of […]

A fight to save healthcare jobs

(February 18, 2015) By Darren Taylor, sootoday.com The Ontario Healthcare Coalition will be holding a public meeting in Sault Ste. Marie to protest impending job cuts at Sault Area Hospital (SAH) and, hopefully, come up with a plan to apply enough pressure to the Ontario government to save those jobs. SAH will soon begin the […]

North Bay: Speakers condemn hospital cuts

(February 9th, 2015) By PJ Wilson, The North Bay Nugget It’s going to take public pressure – lots of public pressure – from people across the province to reverse cuts to Ontario’s health care and hospital systems. “We can win. We have stopped and reversed health-care cuts,” Natalie Mehra, executive director of the Ontario Health […]

North Bay citizens calling on ON Health Coalition to help stop cuts

(February 10, 2015) By K.A. Smith, baytoday.ca “You know that Clara Hughes campaign? She is asking people to come forward and ask for help with their mental health. The problem is there is nobody at the hospital to listen anymore.” This was the experience for Lana Brown. She stood before a crowd Monday night at […]

While Ontario Liberals cut health funding, we need to support home care workers

(February 5, 2015) By Jesse McLaren, rabble.ca While the Ontario government cuts hospitals and downloads care onto the community, and Community Care Access Centre CEOs give themselves hefty pay hikes, both have forced frontline health workers onto cold picket lines to fight a wage freeze. Cutting and privatizing healthcare For years the Ontario Liberals have […]

3,000 home and community care workers on strike across Ontario

(January 30, 2015) By Katrina Clarke, The Toronto Star Nearly 3,000 home and community health-care workers hit the chilly picket lines across Ontario Friday as CEOs, managers and administrators stepped up to the front lines. Community Care Access Centre (CCAC) workers voted to strike on Thursday evening after negotiations between the Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA) […]

Standing up for health care

(January 27, 2015) By Valerie MacDonald, Northumberland Today PORT HOPE – The state of our health care and its future is the focus of a speakers event being hosted by the Northumberland Labour Council and Northumberland Coalition Against Poverty (NCAP). Standing Up For Health Care will take place Saturday, March 7 from 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. […]

‘Save the NOTL Hospital Group’ looks for support

(January 26,2015) By Melinda Cheevers, Niagara-on-the-lake Town Crier NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE — A group of concerned residents from Niagara-on-the-Lake and beyond made their case for keeping the town’s cottage hospital open during a town hall meeting Saturday. The “Save the Niagara-on-the-Lake Hospital Group” hosted the event, held at the Community Centre, with about 70 people in attendance. […]

Save OB Gets Coalition Support

(January 21, 2015) By Ricardo Venza, Blackburn News The Ontario Health Coalition is set to kick-off a campaign against the proposed closure of the obstetrics ward at Leamington District Memorial Hospital. A day-of-action outside of the London office of Liberal minister Deb Matthews, door-to-door campaigning and pushing the issue to area MPPs are all ideas […]

Health Coalition Joins OB Fight

(January 20, 2015) By Adelle Loiselle, Blackburn News The Ontario Health Coalition wants to help build the campaign to keep Leamington’s obstetrics unit open. The Erie St.Clair LHIN put the March 31 closure on hold while an expert panel reviews the decision by the board of directors at Leamington District Memorial Hospital.

Ontario Health Coalition joins fight to save Leamington obstetrics unit

(January 20, 2015) By Derek Spalding, Windsor Star Proponents behind the public campaign to save the obstetrics unit at Leamington District Memorial Hospital say they need to take their fight to Ontario’s health minister. That was one of the messages from a public meeting held Tuesday evening by the Ontario Health Coalition. The forum included discussions […]

Where’s senior’s physio after hip surgery?

(January 18, 2015) By Sue-Ann Levy, Toronto Sun Three years ago when Brenda McDonald had her first surgery to replace her left hip, she moved seamlessly from the hospital to a rehab centre where she received eight sessions of OHIP-funded physiotherapy. The 72-year-old Mississauga resident says even before she left the hospital, she was given […]

Health coalition battles impending hospital closing

(January 18, 2015) By Cathy MccCabe, niagarareview.ca The Niagara Health Coalition hosted a Save Our Niagara-on-the-Lake Hospital meeting Saturday at the Community Centre to raise awareness about the proposed closure. The closure of the NOTL hospital would mean the loss of 22 beds and the Nurse practitioner clinic.

Health Coalition looking for support for NOTL Hospital

(January 14, 2015) By Penny Coles, Niagara Advance A group of Niagara hospital supporters refuses to give up. Although there has been little opposition to the announced closure of the Niagara-on-the-Lake Hospital – at least not this time – Niagara Health Coalition co-chair Sue Hotte says it’s not too late to fight it.

Discussing Cuts at Leamington District Memorial Hospital

(January 14, 2015) By Sheila McBrayne, Leamington Southpoint Sun The Ontario Health Coalition, Leamington Health Coalition and Save OB Leamington are holding a public meeting to stop the closure of the obstetrics unit and save hospital services at Leamington District Memorial Hospital. The meeting will be held Tuesday, January 20 at 7 p.m. at Leamington […]

EVENT: Members of Provincial Parliament Traveling Across Ontario for Pre-Budget Hearings

(January 6, 2015) *Info on rallies below The Ontario Provincial Parliament’s Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs has chosen Hamilton, Windsor, Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Ottawa and Toronto to hold pre-budget consultations. We are now entering the 9th consecutive year of hospital cuts – the longest stretch of hospital cuts in Ontario’s history. […]

RELEASE: Home care cuts undermining Medicare

(November 25, 2014) Toronto Star Letter to the Editor by Natalie Mehra, Executive Director of the Ontario Health Coalition, in response to Health Minister. Click here for Letter

Ontario Health Coalition protests hospital cuts at Queen’s Park

(November 21, 2014) Toronto Sun, Antonella Artuso, Queen’s Park Bureau Chief. TORONTO – Ontario’s health-care system is hurting from thousands of cuts as Premier Kathleen Wynne and her government pursue an “austerity” budget, protesters say. The Ontario Health Coalition (OHC) arranged for hundreds of people – and a larger-than-life puppet of Wynne – to descend on Queen’s […]

Midland, Penetanguishene residents protest hospital cuts: Rally at Ontario Legislature draws more than 2,000 people

(November 21, 2014) Midland Mirror, Jenni Dunning. TORONTO – Chanting, cheering and sign-waving residents of Midland and Penetanguishene joined a protest against hospital cuts of more than 2,000 people Nov. 21 at Queen’s Park in Toronto. Fran Moreau and Anne Robitaille spoke on a stage outside the Ontario Legislature about the closing of Georgian Bay […]

Stratford and Area Health Coalition urge locals to join them at a Nov. 21 rally at Queen’s Park

(November 14, 2014) Members of the Stratford and Area Health Coalition want to fill a bus headed to Queen’s Park for a Nov. 21 rally. The trip has been organized in conjunction with the Ontario Health Coalition. Buses from across the province are expected to arrive at Queen’s Park at noon for the protest to […]

Hospital mum on reasons for woman’s death after a dental abscess

(October 31, 2014) Pamela Minocha, 33, died in a Toronto hospital after a toothache. Because of a provincial secrecy loophole, her family doesn’t know why. Her parents don’t know if her unexpected death could have been prevented, because what happened is a secret shielded by the sweeping Quality of Care Information Protection Act (QCIPA). Invoking […]

Taking Stock: With a New Health Minister it is Timely to Assess Where Ontario’s Health System is at and Where We are Going

posted July 18, 2014

(July 18, 2014) With the appointment of a new Health Minister, it is timely to take stock of where Ontario’s health system has come from and where we are going. There have been significant improvements in Ontario’s health care system. The number of MRIs has vastly increased. Wait time management has improved and there has […]

The cancer funding reversal a victory for the grassroots

(February 13, 2014) Chalk one up for public outrage. After more than two weeks of daily news coverage, petitioning, public meetings and the threat of a door-to-door, 40,000-home canvassing drive, a grassroots mobilization against plans to halt the local thoracic cancer program has succeeded. Windsor-area MPPs exalted at Queen’s Park Monday after the Liberal government […]

Door-to-door cancer campaign kicks off

(February 13, 2014) Nearly 100 supporters attended a meeting Saturday to kick off the Windsor-Essex Health Coalition’s campaign to fight the threatened loss of thoracic cancer surgery in the area. As part of the campaign, volunteers vow to knock on 40,000 doors throughout the community to collect signatures and information from individuals about what they’d […]

Health coalition vows to knock on 40,000 doors to keep thoracic cancer surgery in Windsor

(February 13, 2014) The Windsor Essex Health Coalition vows to knock on 40,000 doors as part of a campaign to fight the threatened loss of thoracic cancer surgery. Following a 10:30 a.m. organizing meeting at Windsor Public Library’s main branch on Ouellette Avenue, there should be volunteers knocking on doors throughout the community as early […]

Province not to blame for aging hospital facilities in Scarborough: MPPs

(February 13, 2014) Two Scarborough MPPs say Ontario’s Liberal government isn’t to blame for inadequate, aging facilities at both Scarborough hospitals which would hamper their efficiency even if they decide to merge. The hospitals themselves are responsible, Soo Wong and Bas Balkissoon suggested. “If the administration does not do its work and identify its needs, […]

Coalition Fighting Privatized Healthcare

(February 13, 2014) A pilot campaign to keep healthcare services local and reject privatization is starting in Windsor. Executive Director of the Ontario Health Coalition Natalie Mehra says they’re teaming up with the Windsor-Essex chapter to go door-to-door looking for support. “I think that we can really win this one,” says Mehra. “I mean I […]