Ford talks health care in Welland
PC leader addresses future of local hospital during Tuesday evening rally at legion hall
Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford pledged to keep Welland hospital open if elected next premier of Ontario during his second campaign stop Tuesday in Niagara Centre, an NDP stronghold for 43 years.
Ford, accompanied by local PC candidates including April Jeffs, took jabs at provincial and federal Liberals during the evening campaign rally at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 4.
The PC leader was greeted by a number of signs for Niagara Centre NDP candidate Jeff Burch at a home beside the entrance to the legion.
At the rally, Ford focused most of his criticism toward Andrea Horwath and the NDP during his approximately 13-minute speech in front of more than 300 supporters
Before the rally, Jeffs and Ford had visited Welland hospital earlier in the day.
Ford said the two spoke with nurses and doctors and he told them his government would improve health care in the province. “They haven’t been listened to, they’ve been slapped down for years,” said Ford, who also said his government would support moving forward with a new hospital expected to be ready in Niagara Falls in 2023 — as well as keeping the Niagara Health facility in Welland open.
Outgoing Niagara Centre NDP MPP Cindy Forster has fought for years to keep Welland hospital open, even with the new hospital being built in Niagara Falls.
In the fall of 2017, the provincial Liberals said it remained committed to the new hospital and keeping Welland open as well.
“We’re going to have two of them, so we can make sure we are serving the communities properly,” said Ford.
He also said the issue of “hallway health care” needs to be addressed, referring to long wait times in emergency rooms.
“You’re there for anywhere from four hours …”
Jeffs said she was excited to have Ford make a stop in the riding a little more than a week away from election day, and that she has heard many concerns from voters who want change.
“Health care is No. 1 at the doors — seniors issues and making life affordable for residents,” said Jeffs, mayor of Wainfleet for the last eight years.