What Happened
Health care workers represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) held a rally outside the office of local Ontario PC MPP Dave Smith in Peterborough. This demonstration was in response to significant funding cuts announced by the provincial government, which plans to reduce hospital funding by 10 percent in real terms over the next three years, as reported by CUPE.
Why It Matters
The funding cuts are expected to have dire consequences for both hospital staff and patients across Ontario. Hundreds of jobs are already being eliminated in various cities, including North Bay, Hamilton, Ottawa, Niagara, and the Greater Toronto Area, as hospitals struggle with deficits and are forced to cut back on patient care. Michael Hurley, president of CUPE’s Ontario Council of Hospital Unions, emphasized that the government’s funding plan will have devastating effects on those needing hospital treatment, with 200,000 people currently waiting for surgeries.
What’s Next
In Peterborough alone, approximately 115 nurses and personal support workers (PSWs) could lose their jobs by 2027-28 if funding does not increase. CUPE estimates that the Peterborough Regional Health Centre will face significant staffing challenges unless the provincial government reassesses its funding strategy. The situation remains critical as the community and health care advocates continue to call for action.
