QUEEN'S PARK -The release of the Auditor General (AG)'s latest report paints a picture of a corrupt Conservative government that continues to turn its backs on Northern Ontarians:
The Auditor General report illustrates a staggering increase in the use of agency nurses in the North, which has skyrocketed by 25 times compared to a few years ago, draining our precious healthcare dollars toward agencies' profits.
"From the lack of a Northern health equity strategy to the endangerment of women's health with the closure of obstetrics services in numerous hospitals, the consequences are severe," said NDP Health critic France Gélinas (Nickel Belt). "Small hospitals in Northern Ontario shouldn't be forced to rely on fundraising for essential medical equipment. It's a clear sign of a government prioritizing wealth over the health of Northern Ontarians."
Labour critic Jamie West (Sudbury) expressed concern over the Science North project's poor planning and cost overruns which have created funding shortfalls. "We have kids up North who are eager to learn and explore the wonders of science. Instead of funding a $650 million dollar parking lot for a luxury spa in downtown Toronto this government should be providing adequate support to expand Science North to benefit communities like Thunder Bay and Kenora. Rather than focusing on equity and equal learning opportunities for Indigenous and all children in the North, Ford’s Conservatives seem more interested in catering to foreign companies and tourists."
"The residents of Northern Ontario have faced disappointments and a lack of transparency on many important issues under the Ford government," remarked Official Opposition NDP MPP John Vanthof (Timiskaming—Cochrane). "After nearly six years, the situation doesn't seem to be improving."
"The Auditor General's report tells us what the people of the north already know; that we are not getting equitable or timely health care close to home " said Sol Mamakwa (Kiiwetinoong), NDP critic for Indigenous and Treaty Relations and Northern Development. “The government's failure to improve the Northern Health Travel Grant program to keep up with the cost of living means northerners have been stuck with a stagnant mileage rate since 2007, making access to health care costly and difficult for most. Hospitals are scrambling for staff, relying on temporary solutions and need support from this government to carry out essential services. It is unacceptable that in a province like Ontario, thousands of Northerners are being left without timely access to care close to home."
MPP Guy Bourgouin (Mushkegowuk—James Bay), who introduced Chad's Law to promote safer roads just weeks ago, spoke to the report's revelation of the alarming lack of measures to ensure road safety and proper driver training in the province.
"In the North, we face extreme weather conditions, and there's no room for mistakes on our single-lane highways. It's unacceptable that we don't have better measures to ensure road safety and properly monitor high-risk drivers.”
“Between undermining our health care and being in denial about the dangerous conditions on our highways, the conservative government continues to fail our Northern communities,” stated MPP Lise Vaugeois (Thunder Bay—Superior North) NDP Critic for Seniors.