EVENT: Major Protest to Stop the Ford Government’s Privatization of Our Public Hospitals’ Core Services
Posted: September 21, 2023
(Updated: September 21, 2023)
MAJOR PROTEST
OPENING DAY OF THE ONTARIO LEGISLATURE
Monday, September 25, 2023 at 12 Noon
TORONTO at Queen’s Park outside the Main Legislative Building at 12 Noon
THUNDER BAY at Mini Queen’s Park at South James St. at 12 Noon
DRYDEN outside MPP Greg Rickford’s office, 439 Government St. at 11:30 a.m. CST (Dryden time)
ALGOMA outside the Sault Area Hospital at Lukenda Drive at 12 Noon
Please join the protest closest to you.
FOR MEMBERS OF JEWISH COMMUNITIES:
The Ford government has set opening day on Yom Kippur.
We will hold a second event on Tuesday September 26 at noon outside the Main Legislative Building, Queen’s Park, Toronto for people who cannot attend on the 25th and all those who want to come out in solidarity and unity.
Make a major show of strength to set the tone for the reopening of the Ontario Legislature. We are not going away.
We are unalterably opposed to the privatization of our public hospitals. We paid for them. We built them. They do not belong to the Ford government to run them into crisis, gut their core services and privatize them.
We demand that the Ford government:
- Stop the privatization of our public hospitals
- Stop creating a crisis in our public hospitals by underfunding them, cutting and closing services, and trying to roll back wages of nurses, health professionals & support staff,
- Expand the use of existing ORs in our public hospitals, and
- Expand capacity in our public hospitals & restore closed services.
Click here to SIGN UP to attend or
Scroll down to get on a bus to the Toronto protest on Monday September 25 at noon at the Ontario Legislature (Queen’s Park).
Central Ontario including Simcoe County, Dufferin County, Muskokas, Parry Sound
BARRIE
- General community members – The Simcoe Health Coalition is organizing a group to travel by GO train. Please contact Anisa (647)835-7870 or simcoecountyhc@gmail.com
for more information. If you prefer, there are also some spaces available on the CUPE Ontario and OPSEU buses for community members — see the following two bullets to book seats. - CUPE Ontario members – Pick up at Essa/Ardagh Carpool 19 Ardagh Rd. Bus departs at 9:10 am. Contact https://cupe.
on.ca/ontario-health- coalition-rally/ for a seat on the bus. - OPSEU members – Barrie Walmart, 29 Mapleview Drive West Bus departs at 9:45 am. Go to https://opseu.org/
information/bus-sign-up-for- sept-25-health-care-rally- inoronto/198903/ for a seat on the bus.
BRACEBRIDGE
- CUPE Ontario members & general community members – Pick up at Home Depot at 20 Depot Dr. Bus departs at 7:10 am. Contact https://cupe.on.ca/
ontario-health-coalition- rally/ for a seat on the bus.
MIDLAND/PENETANGUISHENE
- General community members- Pick up at Penetanguishene Legion, 2 Poyntz St., Penetanguishene. Bus departs at 8:30 am. Contact Don at 705-549-0366 or copping@
rogers.com for a seat on the bus. - OPSEU members – Pentanguishene Legion, 2 Poyntz St. Bus departs at 8:45 am. Go to https://opseu.org/
information/bus-sign-up-for- sept-25-health-care-rally- inoronto/198903/ for a seat on the bus.
ORANGEVILLE
- General community members – Pick up at Home Depot 49 Fourth Ave. Bus departs at 8:00 am. Contact https://cupe.on.
ca/ontario-health-coalition- rally/ for a seat on the bus. - CUPE Ontario members – Pick up at Home Depot 49 Fourth Ave. Bus departs at 8:00 am. Contact https://cupe.on.
ca/ontario-health-coalition- rally/ for a seat on the bus.
ORILLIA
- General community members – The Simcoe Health Coalition is organizing a group to travel by GO train. Please contact Anisa (647)835-7870 or simcoecountyhc@gmail.com
for more information. There are also some seats available on the OPSEU bus (see bullet point below) for community members if you prefer. - CUPE Ontario members – Pick up at Costco 625 University Ave. Bus departs at 8:20 am. Contact https://cupe.on.
ca/ontario-health-coalition- rally/ for a seat on the bus. - OPSEU members – OPSEU Regional Office, 76 Coldwater Street. Bus departs at 9:30 am. Go to https://opseu.org/
information/bus-sign-up-for- sept-25-health-care-rally- inoronto/198903/ for a seat on the bus.
PARRY SOUND
- CUPE Ontario members and general community members – Pick up at Parry Sound Canadian Tire 30 Pine Dr. Bus departs at 7:00 am. Contact https://cupe.on.
ca/ontario-health-coalition- rally/ for a seat on the bus.
Toronto and the GTAAJAX
- OPSEU members and general community members – 248 Kingston Road East, Ajax (near Cineplex). Bus departs at 10:30 am. Go to https://opseu.org/
information/bus-sign-up-for- sept-25-health-care-rally- inoronto/198903/ for a seat on the bus. BOWMANVILLE
- General community members – Pick up at Home Depot, 120 Clarington Blvd. Bus departs at 9:00 am. Contact https://cupe.on.
ca/ontario-health-coalition- rally/ for a seat on the bus. - CUPE Ontario members – Pick up at Home Depot, 120 Clarington Blvd. Bus departs at 9:00 am. Contact https://cupe.on.
ca/ontario-health-coalition- rally/ for a seat on the bus. BRAMPTON
- General community members – Pick up at Bramalea City Centre, 25 Peel Centre Dr. Bus departs at 10 am. Contact Janine at 647-237-6276 or bramptoncaledonHC@gmail.com
for a seat on the bus. - CUPE Ontario members – Pick up at Brampton GO, 27 Church St W. Bus departs at 8:50 am. Contact https://cupe.on.
ca/ontario-health-coalition- rally/ for a seat on the bus. - OPSEU members – Pick up at Bramalea City Centre, 25 Peel Centre Dr. Bus departs at 10 am. Go to https://opseu.org/
information/bus-sign-up-for- sept-25-health-care-rally- inoronto/198903/ for a seat on the bus. HALTON
- General community members- Contact Helen at 416-500-6128 or ohchalton@
gmail.com for a seat on the bus. MISSISSAUGA
- General community members- Pick up at Square One (by the Crate & Barrel), 100 City Centre Drive. Bus departs at 10 am. Contact Ken Cole, 416-524-8335 or MississaugaHC@gmail.com to get on the bus.
- CUPE Ontario members – Pick up at Mississauga GO 2445 Dixie Rd. Bus departs at 9:30 am.Contact https://cupe.on.ca/
ontario-health-coalition- rally/ for a seat on the bus. - OPSEU members – 1 bus departing from Mississauga details TBD. Go to https://opseu.org/
information/bus-sign-up-for- sept-25-health-care-rally- inoronto/198903/ for a seat on the bus.
OAKVILLE
- General community members- Contact Helen at 416-500-6128 or ohchalton@
gmail.com for a seat on the bus. - CUPE Ontario members – Pick up at Oakville Go, 214 Cross Ave. Bus departs at 9:40 am. Contact https://cupe.on.
ca/ontario-health-coalition- rally/ for a seat on the bus. - Unifor members – Pick up details for the local 707 bus TBC. Go to https://form.jotform.com/
UniforCanada/ masshealthcareprotests for a seat on the bus.
OSHAWA
- General community members- contact Pam Parks at president20226364@hotmail.
com - OHCU/CUPE members- Bus departing from Oshawa. details TBA. Contact https://cupe.on.ca/
ontario-health-coalition- rally/ for a seat on the bus. - OPSEU members – Oshawa Centre (by Sears), 419 King St. W. Bus departs at 9:45 am. Go to https://opseu.org/
information/bus-sign-up-for- sept-25-health-care-rally- inoronto/198903/ for a seat on the bus. - Unifor – Pick up details for the local 222 retirees bus to be confirmed but there is a bus coming! Go to https://form.jotform.com/
UniforCanada/ masshealthcareprotests for a seat on the bus.
PICKERING
- General community members – Pick up at Home Depot Kingston Rd. Bus departs at 10:10 am. Contact https://cupe.on.
ca/ontario-health-coalition- rally/ for a seat on the bus. - CUPE Ontario members – Pick up at Home Depot Kingston Rd. Bus departs at 10:10 am. Contact https://cupe.on.
ca/ontario-health-coalition- rally/ for a seat on the bus.
TORONTO
- Community members – There are buses being organized by a number of community groups from their community agencies to the rally. Mostly people will make their own way downtown to Queen’s Park.
WHITBY
- General community members – Pick up at Whitby GO, 1350 Brock St S. Bus departs at 9:40 am. Contact https://cupe.on.
ca/ontario-health-coalition- rally/ for a seat on the bus. - CUPE Ontario members – Pick up at Whitby GO, 1350 Brock St S. Bus departs at 9:40 am. Contact https://cupe.on.
ca/ontario-health-coalition- rally/ for a seat on the bus.
Hamilton-Burlington-Niagara
BURLINGTON
- General community members – Pick up at Burlington GO, 2101 Fairview St. Bus departs at 9:10 am. Contact https://cupe.on.
ca/ontario-health-coalition- rally/ for a seat on the bus. - CUPE Ontario members – Pick up at Burlington GO, 2101 Fairview St. Bus departs at 9:10 am. Contact https://cupe.on.
ca/ontario-health-coalition- rally/ for a seat on the bus.
FORT ERIE
- General community members – Bus departs 8:30 am from Fort Erie Leisureplex, 3 Municipal Center Fort Erie. Contact Sue at 905-932-1646 or niagarahealthc
oalition@yahoo.ca for a seat on the bus.
GRIMSBY
- CUPE Ontario members – Pick up at Grimsby Gateway 424 S. Service Rd. Bus departs at 9:00 am. Contact https://cupe.on.
ca/ontario-health-coalition- rally/ for a seat on the bus.
HALTON
- General community members- Contact Helen at 416-500-6128 or ohchalton@
gmail.com for a seat on the bus. HAMILTON
- General community members – Contact Janina at 905-545-5514 or janinalebon44@
gmail.com for a seat on the bus. - CUPE Ontario members – Pick up at Hamilton Carpool/GO 4245 Service Rd. Bus departs at 8:30 am. Contact https://cupe.on.
ca/ontario-health-coalition- rally/ for a seat on the bus. - OHCU/CUPE members- 2 buses departing from Hamilton. Contact https://cupe.on.ca/
ontario-health-coalition- rally/ for a seat on the bus. - OPSEU members – OPSEU Hamilton Office, 505 York Blvd. Bus departs at 10:30 am. Go to https://opseu.org/
information/bus-sign-up-for- sept-25-health-care-rally- inoronto/198903/ for a seat on the bus.
- Unifor members – Pick up details for the local 5555/504 bus at Limeridge Mall, 999 Upper Wentworth St, Hamilton at 10:00 am. Go to https://form.jotform.com/
UniforCanada/ masshealthcareprotests for a seat on the bus. NIAGARA FALLS
- CUPE Ontario members – Pick up at Costco, 7500 Pin Oak Dr. Bus departs at 8:00 am.Contact https://cupe.on.ca/
ontario-health-coalition- rally/ for a seat on the bus - OPSEU members – 1 bus departing from Niagara details TBD. Go to https://opseu.org/
information/bus-sign-up-for- sept-25-health-care-rally- inoronto/198903/ for a seat on the bus.
OAKVILLE
- General community members- Contact Helen at 416-500-6128 or ohchalton@gmail.com for a seat on the bus.
- CUPE Ontario members – Pick up at Oakville Go, 214 Cross Ave. Bus departs at 9:40 am. Contact https://cupe.on.ca/ontario-
health-coalition-rally/ for a seat on the bus. - Unifor members – Pick up details for the local 707 bus TBC. Go to https://form.jotform.com/
UniforCanada/ masshealthcareprotests for a seat on the bus.
ST CATHARINES
- General community members- Bus departs 9:15, am Go bus Stop, 25 YMCA Drive, west side of Fairview Mall
Contact Sue at 905-932-1646 or niagarahealthcoalition@yahoo.ca for a seat on the bus. - CUPE Ontario members – Pick up at Costco, 3 N Service Rd. Bus departs at 8:30 am. Contact https://cupe.on.
ca/ontario-health-coalition- rally/ for a seat on the bus.
West and Southwestern Ontario (including Grey Bruce)
BRANTFORD
- General community members – Pick up at Brantford District Labour Centre, 1100 Clarence St S. Bus departs at 9:00 am. Contact Brit at 289-690-6758 or brittainy.hancock@gmail.com fo
r a seat on the bus - CUPE Ontario members – Pick up at Home Depot, 25 Holiday Dr. Bus departs at 8:45 am. Contact https://cupe.on.
ca/ontario-health-coalition- rally/ for a seat on the bus.
CHATHAM-KENT
- General community members. Chatham exit 81 South at Esso Cardlock, 22216 Bloomfield Rd. Bus departs at 7:15 am. Contact Judy at 519-436-1973 or judy.wolanski@googlemail.com
- CUPE Ontario members – Pick up at Chatham Carpool Lot, 7760 Seventh Line. Bus departs at 7:20 am. Contact https://cupe.on.
ca/ontario-health-coalition- rally/ for a seat on the bus. - OPSEU members – Chatham exit 81 South at Esso Cardlock, 22216 Bloomfield Rd. Bus departs at 6:45 am. Go to https://opseu.org/
information/bus-sign-up-for- sept-25-health-care-rally- inoronto/198903/ for a seat on the bus.
CHESLEY
- General community members- Pick up Chesley grocery store. Bus departs at 8 am. Contact Brenda at 519-375-5812 or greybrucecount
yhc@gmail.com for a seat on the bus.
DURHAM (Town of Durham in Grey County NOT region of Durham in GTA)
- General community members – bus departs at 9:00 am from the Municipal Parking Lot behind Credit Union. Contact Brenda at 519-375-5812 or greybrucecount
yhc@gmail.com for a seat on the buses.
GUELPH
- General community members – Pick up at University of Guelph at University Centre. Bus departs at 9:30 am. Contact Owen at 519-222-2052 or guelphdistrict
healthcoalition@gmail.com for a seat on the bus.
HANOVER
- General community members – Depart at 8:40 am from the Canadian Tire. Contact Brenda at 519-375-5812 or greybrucecount
yhc@gmail.com for a seat on the bus.
INGERSOLL
- General community members- A bus will be stopping in Ingersoll from London. Location and Time are TBA. Contact Bryan at 226-228-8309 or bryasmit@
oxford.net for a seat on the bus. - CUPE Ontario members – Pick up at Ingersoll Carpool Lot, Plank Line. Bus departs at 7:40 am. Contact https://cupe.on.
ca/ontario-health-coalition- rally/ for a seat on the bus.
LONDON
- General community members- There will be two buses departing from London arena parking lot (Wellington Rd & 401). Bus departs at 7:45 am. Contact Peter at 519-860-4403 or pbergmanis@
rogers.com for a seat on the bus. - CUPE Ontario members – Pick up at White Oaks Mall, 1105 Wellington Rd. Bus departs at 7:00am. Contact https://cupe.on.ca/
ontario-health-coalition- rally/ for a seat on the bus. - OPSEU members – OPSEU London Regional Office, 1092 Dearness Ave. Bus departs at 8:15 am. Go to https://opseu.org/
information/bus-sign-up-for- sept-25-health-care-rally- inoronto/198903/ for a seat on the bus. - Unifor members – Pick up for Local 302 at 125 Elm Street at 8 am. Pick up forLocal 27 at 606 First Street, London, Ontario at 8 am. Go to https://form.jotform.com/
UniforCanada/ masshealthcareprotests for a seat on the buses.
MEAFORD
- Depart at 8:00 at Meaford Hall. Contact Brenda at 519-375-5812 or greybrucecount
yhc@gmail.com for a seat on the bus.
OWEN SOUND
- Depart at 7:15 from Heritage Mall – South Parking Lot. Contact Brenda at 519-375-5812 or greybrucecount
yhc@gmail.com for a seat on the bus.
PORT DOVER
- General community members- Pick up at Powell Park, 250 Main Street. Bus departs at 8 am. Contact Gail at 519-428-6083 or ghealdtaylor@
outlook.com for a seat on the bus.
SARNIA & LAMBTON
- General community members. Pick up at Lambton Mall, 1380 London Rd. Bus departs at 7:30 am. Contact Judy at 519-436-1973 or judy.wolanski@googlemail.com for a seat on the bus.
ST THOMAS
- General community members- Pick up at the Doug Tarry Complex at 275 Bill Martyn Pkwy. Bus departs at 8 am. Contact Peter at 519-860-4403 or pbergmanis@
rogers.com for a seat on the bus.
WATERLOO
- General community members. Pick up at Waterloo Times Square – 75 King St S. Bus departs at 9:30 am. Contact Jim at 519-588-5841 or waterlooregionhealthcoaliti
on@gmail.com for a seat on the bus. - Unifor members – Pick up details for local 1106 bus TBC but there is a bus coming! Go to https://form.jotform.com/
UniforCanada/ masshealthcareprotests for a seat on the bus.
WINDSOR
- General community members. Pick up at Devonshire Mall Northwest corner. 3100 Howard Ave. Bus departs at 6:30 am. Contact Sandra at 226-347-5776 or srsahli@
hotmail.com for a seat on the bus. - CUPE Ontario members – Pick up at CUPE 543, 1576 Parent Ave. Bus departs at 6:30 am. Contact https://cupe.on.
ca/ontario-health-coalition- rally/ for a seat on the bus. - OPSEU members – Windsor Regional Office, 3005 Marentette Ave. Bus departs at 6:00 am. Go to https://opseu.org/
information/bus-sign-up-for- sept-25-health-care-rally- inoronto/198903/ for a seat on the bus. - Unifor – Pick up details for the bus for locals 2458,195 & 240 TBC but there is a bus coming! Go to https://form.jotform.com/
UniforCanada/ masshealthcareprotests for a seat on the bus.
WOODSTOCK
- General community members – Pick up at Woodstock Walmart, 499 Norwich Ave. Bus departs at 8:05 am. Contact https://cupe.on.
ca/ontario-health-coalition- rally/ for a seat on the bus. - CUPE Ontario members – Pick up at Woodstock Walmart, 499 Norwich Ave. Bus departs at 8:05 am. Contact https://cupe.on.
ca/ontario-health-coalition- rally/ for a seat on the bus. - OPSEU members – Woodstock Walmart 499 Norwich Ave. Bus departs at 9:05 am. Go to https://opseu.org/
information/bus-sign-up-for- sept-25-health-care-rally- inoronto/198903/ for a seat on the bus.
Central-East and Eastern, including Peterborough, the Kawarthas and Haliburton
BELLEVILLE
- General community members – Pick up at Cannifton Carpool at 382 Cannifton Rd. Bus departing at 8:05 am. Contact https://cupe.on.ca/
ontario-health-coalition- rally/ for a seat on the bus. - CUPE Ontario members – Pick up at Cannifton Carpool at 382 Cannifton Rd. Bus departing at 8:05 am. Contact https://cupe.on.ca/
ontario-health-coalition- rally/ for a seat on the bus. - OPSEU members – Belleville, Cannifton carpool lot at Cannifton Rd and the 401. Bus departs at 8:30 am. Go to https://opseu.org/
information/bus-sign-up-for- sept-25-health-care-rally- inoronto/198903/ for a seat on the bus.
BROCKVILLE
- OPSEU members – Brockville Carpool at Maitland and the 401. Bus departs at 8:00 am. Go to https://opseu.org/
information/bus-sign-up-for- sept-25-health-care-rally- inoronto/198903/ for a seat on the bus.
CORNWALL
- General community members- Pick up at Cornwall Walmart parking lot, 420 Ninth Street W. Bus departs at 6 am. Contact Louise at 613-330-3117 or louiselanctot1
8@gmail.com for a seat on the bus.
HALIBURTON HIGHLANDS
- General community members- Minden Community Centre, board at 7:30 am/departure 7:40 am (NEW TIME!), Fenelon Falls-8:20 am (140 Lindsay St., near Home Hardware) Contact Bonnie at 705-457-6579 or bonnieroe08@
gmail.com for a seat on the bus.
LINDSAY/KAWARTHA LAKES
- General community members – Lindsay, Lindsay Mall, Main Entrance-8:45 am Pick up at Minden Community Centre- 55 Parkside St. Bus departs at 8:00 am. Contact Bonnie at 705-457-6579 or bonnieroe08@
gmail.com for a seat on the bus. - OPSEU members – 449 Kent St. W. (Near LCBO) Bus departs at 9:45 am. Go to https://opseu.org/
information/bus-sign-up-for- sept-25-health-care-rally- inoronto/198903/ for a seat on the bus.
KINGSTON
- General community members- Pick up location TBD. Bus departs at 8:00 am. Contact Joan at 613-305-2716 or kingstonhealthcoalition@
gmail.com for a seat on the bus. - CUPE Ontario members and general community members – Pick up at Kingston carpool at Montreal St. Bus departs at 7:00 am. Contact https://cupe.on.ca/
ontario-health-coalition- rally/ for a seat on the bus. - OHCU/CUPE members- 2 buses departing from Kingston. Details TBA. Contact https://cupe.on.ca/
ontario-health-coalition- rally/ for a seat on the bus. - OPSEU members – . OPSEU Kingston Office, 824 John Counter Blvd. Bus departs at 7:30 am. Go to https://opseu.org/
information/bus-sign-up-for- sept-25-health-care-rally- inoronto/198903/ for a seat on the bus.
OTTAWA
- General community members- email the Ottawa Health Coalition at ottawahealthco@gmail.com
for a seat on the bus. - CUPE Ontario members and general community members – Pick up at CUPE National Office at 1375 Laurent Blvd. Bus departs at 5:30 am. Contact https://cupe.on.ca/
ontario-health-coalition- rally/ for a seat on the bus. - OHCU/CUPE members- 2 buses departing from Ottawa. Details TBA. Contact https://cupe.on.ca/
ontario-health-coalition- rally/ for a seat on the bus. - OPSEU members – OPSEU Ottawa Office, 2525 St. Laurent Blvd, Suite 204. Bus departs at 6:00 am, Second stop Eagleson Park & Ride (Eagleson Rd. and the 417). Bus departs at 6:45 am. Go to https://opseu.org/
information/bus-sign-up-for- sept-25-health-care-rally- inoronto/198903/ for a seat on the bus.
PETERBOROUGH
- General community members- Pick up at Park & Ride at Crawford Drive & Harper Road. Bus departs at 9 am. Contact Marion at 905-376-2189 or marionburton@
nexicom.net for a seat on the bus. - CUPE Ontario members – Pick up at Costco, 485 The Parkway. Bus departs at 8:00 am. Contact https://cupe.on.
ca/ontario-health-coalition- rally/ for a seat on the bus. - OHCU/CUPE members- Bus departing from Peterborough. Details TBA. Contact https://cupe.on.ca/
ontario-health-coalition- rally/ for a seat on the bus. - OPSEU members – OPSEU Peterborough Regional Office, 1840 Lansdowne St. W. Bus departs at 9:00 am. Go to https://opseu.org/
information/bus-sign-up-for- sept-25-health-care-rally- inoronto/198903/ for a seat on the bus.
RENFREW COUNTY/ PEMBROKE
- OHCU/CUPE members- 1 bus departing from Renfrew/Pembroke. Details TBA. Contact https://cupe.on.ca/
ontario-health-coalition- rally/ for a seat on the bus.
Northeastern- Huron Shores
NORTH BAY
- General community members – Contact Henri at 705-471-7746, hgiroux1@
hotmail.com for a seat on the bus. - OPSEU members – North Bay Memorial Gardens, 100 Chippewa St. W, Bus departs at 6:00 am. Go to https://opseu.org/
information/bus-sign-up-for- sept-25-health-care-rally- inoronto/198903/ for a seat on the bus.
PARRY SOUND
- General community members – Bus departs at 6:50 a.m. at Canadian Tire, 30 Pine Drive, Parry Sound. Contact https://cupe.on.ca/
ontario-health-coalition- rally/ for a seat on the bus.
SUDBURY
- General community members – Contact Melissa at 705-662-8506, wood.melissa@
hotmail.com - CUPE Ontario members – Pick up at Sudbury CUPE 4705 41 Veterans Road Copper Cliff. Bus departs at 5am. Contact https://cupe.on.
ca/ontario-health-coalition- rally/ for a seat on the bus.