After months of protests, the Ontario government passed Bill 8 on June 7. The legislation allows the province to negotiate accountability agreements with hospitals and health care providers, but provides no real commitment to stop privatization and two-tier health care.
Health care workers are concerned that under the guise of reducing waiting times and improving services, the bill will promote restructuring, contracting out and P3s. As well, they are concerned that increased ministerial powers to cut budgets or direct funding will lead to further privatization.