CUPE hospital workers in Cornwall brought a giant Trojan Horse to their rally on May 14, demonstrating the threat posed by the provincial Liberals’ plans to open up health care to privateers.
Members warned that Ontario health minister George Smitherman has been actively encouraging redevelopment of the community’s hospitals. There’s fear that redevelopment will be in the form of a P3.
“This community cannot afford to have its hospital downsized. We are calling on the citizens of Cornwall to be active in defense of their community hospital, before it’s too late,” says Michael Hurley, president of the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions.
P3 hospitals have roughly 30 per cent fewer beds and 25 per cent fewer staff than public hospitals as a result of higher costs and built-in profit margins.
For more information, visit Ontario Health Coalition’s website at www.web.net/ohc/