-

Hospital workers to stage anti-privatization demonstration outside MPP Michael Ford’s constituency office on Wednesday in response to government expansion of private, for-profit healthcare services

Ford government to double private delivery of MRIs and CT scans

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In response to the Ford government’s plans to double private delivery of MRIs and CT scans, hospital workers will be protesting at Ontario PC MPP Michael Ford’s constituency office in Toronto on Wednesday morning.

“The Ford government says the status quo isn’t working – but it’s a status quo of their own making,” said Michael Hurley, President of CUPE’s Ontario Council of Hospital Unions (OCHU/CUPE). “They have been underfunding and starving the public system and dangling privatization as a solution. But privatization is twice as expensive and comes with longer waiting lists. We are calling for real solutions to the hospital crisis, like concrete measures to attract and retain new staff and the addition of new beds.”

The union pointed out a recent Ontario Health Coalition report that found private clinics are illegally billing patients up to $8,000 for medically necessary services in violation of the Canada Health Act.

“Premier Ford famously claimed that Ontarians would never have to pay with their credit card, only their OHIP card. However, patients at for-profit clinics are being charged thousands of dollars,” said Sharon Richer, Secretary-Treasurer of OCHU/CUPE. “People have been told they can either pay for medically needed surgeries or face extreme wait times.”

The rally in Toronto is part of a series of demonstrations the union is organizing across communities in Ontario, as private clinics receive record funding while public hospitals operate deficits.

Who:

 

Mark Hancock, CUPE National President

 

 

Candace Rennick, CUPE National Secretary-Treasurer

 

 

Michael Hurley, President of OCHU/CUPE

 

 

Sharon Richer, Secretary-Treasurer of OCHU/CUPE

 

 

 

What:

 

Hospital workers rally at Ontario PC MPP Michael Ford’s constituency office

 

 

 

When:

 

11:30 a.m., Wednesday, July 10th

 

 

 

Where:

 

1832 Weston Rd. Toronto, ON M9N 1V8

RM:cj/cope491

Contacts

For more information:

Robert Murdoch
CUPE Communications
rmurdoch@cupe.ca
416-434-3690

Industry:

CUPE

Release Versions
English

Contacts

For more information:

Robert Murdoch
CUPE Communications
rmurdoch@cupe.ca
416-434-3690

More News From CUPE

Union calls for answers after Villa Marconi cuts hours, lays off cleaning staff ahead of Board elections

Ottawa, ON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The union representing workers at Ottawa’s Villa Marconi Long - Term Care Centre held an information picket outside the home Friday morning, demanding answers after the management of the home issued layoff notices to five staff. The impacted staff, members of CUPE 4793 work in the Laundry and Environmental Services department. These workers ensure that clothing, bedding, and other linens are clean for the residents of the home. “We are still having issues with suppl...

CUPE lifts strike at community clinic

ARICHAT NS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) long term care workers will pause job action at an urgent treatment centre in Arichat, Nova Scotia. After discussions with community members and long term care workers, CUPE 5032 has decided to pause their strike at the community clinic attached to St. Anne Community and Nursing Care Centre, which is staffed by their members. “Before the strike began, our employer deemed the urgent treatment centre non-essential, which is wh...

Education Workers to "Paint the Province Purple" for Publicly Funded Education: Province-wide Day of Action Calls on MPPs to Stand Up for Students, Education Workers, and Schools

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On Saturday, June 6, CUPE education workers from communities across Ontario will come together for a province-wide day of action to "Paint the Province Purple" in support of a strong, well-funded education system. CUPE-OSBCU education workers will be canvassing door-to-door in Progressive Conservative MPP ridings across the province, speaking directly with Ontarians about the realities facing publicly funded education and the urgent need for greater investment in stude...
Back to Newsroom