Blind River council is unanimous in its opposition to healthcare cuts planned by the provincial government.
At its Feb. 3 regular meeting council voted to support a motion from the Seniors’ Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma District calling on the government to halt planned cuts to health services.
“Ontario’s healthcare services have been rationed and downsized for decades and now often fail to meet the health needs of seniors and the public in general,” SHAC chairperson Myra Piirtoniemi stated in a letter with the motion opposing the cuts sent to council.
The motion wants the Ford government to stop all announced cuts to healthcare facilities, ambulance service, Health Unit downsizing and mergers of long-term care facilities.
“The most recent announced health cuts and mergers will exacerbate the situation and lead to more suffering on the part of those who are aging and those who suffer chronic illness, those who have paid all their lives in their taxes for a public health care system,” Piirtoniemi stated.
“The cuts to health care is especially hard felt in the north The mergers of health care institutions in southern Ontario although devastating in northern Ontario it will cost people their lives,” Councillor Jennifer Posteraro said.
The SHAC motion received full support from council.