More ads, less health care under Ford leadership

NICKEL BELT and HAMILTON CENTRE – After the Premier suggested that the government may launch more advertising campaigns, this time to promote its health care record, NDP Shadow Minister for Mental Health, Addiction and Primary Care MPP Dr. Robin Lennox (Hamilton Centre) and NDP Shadow Minister for Health MPP France Gélinas (Nickel Belt), released the following joint statement:

“The real problem with our health care system is who’s running it.” said MPP Dr. Lennox. “We have a Premier calling for more ads and a Minister of Health slashing hospital budgets instead of investing them where it counts. The NDP has long advocated for real solutions that would reduce health care costs while expanding services, including real investments in pharmacare and primary care, which would prevent hospital admissions and save more money than it costs.

"Yet the only thing Ontarians get is a government more concerned about pouring money into vanity projects instead of investing these tax dollars to help solve the health care crisis the province has faced under decades of Liberal and Conservative leadership.”

“It is concerning that the Premier thinks our health care system needs more advertising, rather than real, funding,” said MPP Gélinas. “Health care workers across Ontario are pleading for real stable funding to keep services open. Instead, this government is preparing to spend more public money promoting its record. Ontarians do not need ads telling them everything is fine when it’s not. They need open emergency rooms, and support for the professionals holding the system together. Every dollar spent on self-promotion is a dollar not spent fixing the crisis patients and workers face each day in Ontario.”