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The defeat of the Harris-Eves Tories in October’s election was a blow to privateers everywhere, but it seems like Dalton McGuinty’s new Liberal government might not be as committed to public sector jobs and institutions as it promised. On the election trail, McGuinty said he would scrap two controversial P3 hospital deals that the Tories continued to negotiate right until Ernie Eves’ last breath as premier. But only one day after the new government’s Throne Speech, McGuinty back-pedaled on privatization, saying the multinational consortium that struck a deal for the hospitals in Ottawa and Brampton would still be allowed to build them – but instead of a “lease” arrangement, the premier promised a “mortgage deal.” Health care activists, including CUPE members at both hospitals, are crying foul. They say there’s no difference between the Tory P3 hospitals and the Liberal P3 hospitals. The new Eves opposition is delighted with McGuinty’s broken promise, and signs demanding a public hospital are landing faster than snowflakes on lawns across Ottawa and Brampton. Continuing in the tradition of offering bad bills in pretty packages, the Ontario Liberals have introduced Bill 8, the Commitment to the Future of Medicare Act. The draft bill gives the minister sweeping powers to restructure health care and potentially health care collective agreements, while trying to reassure a skeptical public that public-private partnerships won’t lead to two-tier health care. Hospital workers in Ontario are organizing to oppose the bill and preparing to defend their rights.