Northern Hospitals Need Stable Funding says Mantha
Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Michael Mantha
QUEEN’S PARK, ON – Today in question period, Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Michael Mantha called on the government to address mounting worries about funding to hospitals in small northern communities
“Constituents in my riding are concerned about their local hospital services. Hospitals in my riding cannot plan for the coming year with only words of assurance. The fact is that this government has ignored the needs of smaller hospitals and the frozen base budget spelled out in the budget will equal deep service cuts,” said Mantha.
“This government’s new funding scheme is silent on how many smaller hospitals in my riding, like Manitoulin Health Centre, Espanola General Hospital, Lady Dunn Health Centre (Wawa), will be able to keep providing the necessary services,” explained Mantha, asking, “Instead of empty assurances, does the government have a detailed and fully costed plan to share with us today?”
“Ontario’s New Democrats recognize the central importance of our local hospitals, and that is why we proposed a plan to support hospitals like those in my riding,” said Mantha after question period. “I hope the government will come around to the needs of northern Ontario, and implement the NDP plan in the upcoming budget.”
