The New Democrat Health Critic is putting the pressure on the government when it comes to hospital cuts. France Gelinas says the Wynne Liberals have created a health crisis in the province, by closing beds and laying off workers. She says Timmins, the Soo, North Bay, and Temiskaming Shores are all feeling the effects. Gelinas says Northerners have a hard enough time getting access to healthcare, facing some of the greatest health inequity. She says the last thing northern Ontario needs is a Premier who cuts hospital funding.
However, Health Minister Eric Hoskins says the government has dedicated $7.5 million to northern hospitals. He says the government has increased hospital funding across the north by 54 per cent, and they are building new hospitals across the province to keep up with an expanding populations.
Hoskins says overall, the province is spending another $1 billion on health care this year.