QUEEN'S PARK - Ontario NDP MPP Jamie West (Sudbury) implored Ford’s Conservatives to address the critical family physicians shortage in Northern Ontario during Question Period today. West's statement comes in the wake of today’s report from the Financial Accountability Office (FAO) revealing Ford’s Conservatives are withholding investment from Ontario’s healthcare system.
"Ford is starving the public system, making it harder for people to access healthcare services,” West said. “It's alarming that he is sitting on taxpayers' money in a contingency fund for a 'rainy day' while the storm has been here for years. The people of this province deserve a government that holds itself accountable, learns from its mistakes, and listens to its constituents.”
West drew attention to the harsh reality facing many Ontarians, like Tim, a resident of Sudbury with complex medical needs. Tim's struggle to find a family doctor, despite multiple attempts through Healthcare Connect and local family practices, forced him to endure long hours in the emergency room just to get a prescription refilled – a waste of Tim’s time and system resources.
"Tim’s not alone. One in eight Northern residents lacks access to a family doctor," West said. In a direct challenge to Premier Ford, he asked, "Will the Premier commit today to a permanent $4 million increase in the base funding for the Northern Ontario School of Medicine University to train new doctors?”