THUNDER BAY — Health care workers from five Ontario unions came together Tuesday to demonstrate strong opposition to new provincial legislation expanding the role of private clinics in Ontario’s health system.
Those who signed included nurses, personal support workers, housekeepers, lab technologists, clerical staff and others. Provincial OPSEU president JP Hornick, who attended the rally, said more privatization will only weaken the system. Bill 60 includes a clause stating doctors at private clinics shall not turn patients away for choosing to pay with their OHIP card.
Opponents have argued that in practice, however, private clinics have a track record of “up-charging” patients by recommending more expensive services not covered by public insurance. “We’re fearful we’re going to lose our nurses, our rehab assistants, our rec therapists to private clinics, private hospitals,” she said. “That’s going to make our critical staffing shortages we already have even worse.”“Who’s not going to want to work a six- or seven-hour day for more money at first, without the stress, without the shift work?” she asked. “It will just start to unravel.