Local NDP candidates promise investments in region's health care
The Windsor area's three provincial NDP candidates said Friday their party will ensure the new mega-hospital is built “quickly,” while providing universal mental health coverage, hiring more nurses and removing a bill that limits public sector salary increases.
Lisa Gretzky (Windsor West), Gemma Grey-hall (Windsor— Tecumseh) and Ron Leclair (Essex) made the promises at a media event outside Windsor Regional Hospital's Ouellette campus.
“Families in Windsor-essex deserve a health-care system that actually meets their needs,” said Gretzky. “They shouldn't have to face long emergency wait times or contend with hallway medicine because there aren't enough beds or staff available.”
The trio said the NDP would immediately repeal the Doug Ford government's Bill 124, which generally limits annual salary increases to one per cent in many parts of the public sector, including nursing. The candidates said their party would also hire 30,000 nurses across the province.
They said the NDP would also make sure the new hospital is built on schedule.
“We're going to make sure the new regional hospital gets built quickly and that we have the right mix of services there for families,” said Grey-hall. “The new regional hospital is critical to the future of health care here in Windsor, and we're going to do what it takes to make sure it's built on schedule.”
The NDP health-care plan also includes restoring funding that was cut or frozen by previous governments.
“We'll make sure the regional hospital offers the services Essex families need,” said Leclair. “Over the years, we've seen cuts to critical services, like advanced gastric and cardiac surgeries, and some cancer treatments. No one here should have to drive to London, Toronto or Detroit to get the health care they need. With an NDP government, communities and families across Essex will (be) able to get the care they need right here at home.”