ST. CATHERINES, ON. - Paul Moist, CUPE national president and Michael Hurley, president of CUPE’s Ontario Council of Hospital Unions (OCHU), led an information session on July 28th for residents and hospital workers in St. Catharines, about the impact Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) will have on public health care. The St. Catharines event was attended by over 75 community residents, hospital workers, CUPE members and local health care activists, and was hosted by Mike Rotundo, president of CUPE Local 1097.
“Our goal was to provide critical information on LHINs and create an environment for open discussions on the impact of LHINs on public health care delivery in communities such as the Niagara region,” said Michael Hurley. “The feedback from this community show that residents are ready to defend public health care to make sure it remains accountable to the residents of the community.”
“CUPE members across Canada are fighting privatization in health care and other public services, and governments are always looking for new ways to invite the private sector to profit from health care delivery,” said Paul Moist. “Our campaigns are much stronger when local residents are aware and involved. I would like to thank residents and hospital workers in the Niagara region for their support and participation.”
The evening’s discussion included community members providing frank, passionate and heartfelt stories and viewpoints about the need for transparency and community control over public health care.