Unifor will defend Ontario's public healthcare system against Conservative privatization

TORONTO, April 23, 2019 /CNW/ - The passing of Bill 74 will strengthen Unifor's commitment in fighting for Ontarians and against Doug Ford's health care privatization and cuts.

"By passing Bill 74, Doug Ford has made it clear that he has an agenda of cutting and privatizing our healthcare system in Ontario," said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. "This regressive law has the potential to destroy our public health care system. Unifor is committed to building a major fightback campaign against Ford's privatization plan."

This afternoon Unifor, along with CUPE, OPSEU and ONA, who represent health care workers in Ontario, held a press conference to inform the public of the dangers of Bill 74 and to collectively commit to fight back against Doug Ford's privatization agenda.

Bill 74 gives sweeping new powers to the Minister of Health and to unelected board members, and will open the door to profit-driven companies. The legislation will create an Ontario Health 'Super Agency' responsible for managing health care services and implementing widespread cuts revealed in the 2019 Ontario Budget, including cuts to hospitals, long-term care, home care, community care, mental health, health clinics and more.

Over the past two months, Unifor members have organized telephone town halls, contacted their MPPs, attended community events and held actions opposing Bill 74 and the government's attack on public health care. The union presented to the Ontario Social Planning Committee outlining the harm that would be done if Bill 74 were adopted.

"Though it is evident that his secret plans have been underway for months, Doug Ford has absolutely no mandate for health care privatization," said Naureen Rizvi, Unifor Ontario Regional Director. "It is baffling that a government that never uttered the word "privatization" in the election, now barely a year into their mandate rolls out a complete plan to privatize our health care services. Ontarians, no matter their political stripe will not stand for this disrespect. Unifor will work in partnership with patients and communities to protect our health care system."

Unifor, along with the Ontario Health Coalition have organized a rally at Queen's Park on April 30 calling on the government to invest, not cut in health care.

Unifor represents more than 30,000 health care workers in hospitals, long-term care, emergency services, and community and social services.  

Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future.

SOURCE Unifor