Even in a pandemic, Ford continues to underfund health care

May 10, 2021

TORONTO — Mike Schreiner released the following statement in response to this morning's FAO report on health care funding:

QUEEN’S PARK — Mike Schreiner released the following statement in response to this morning’s FAO report on health care funding:

“You’d think that after the tragedy of the past 14 months, Premier Ford would understand the importance of investing in health care.

But today’s FAO report shows a $62 billion spending shortfall in health care over the next nine years.

Ontario’s health care system was not prepared for COVID-19. And this public health crisis has exposed the massive gaps in how we care for each other.

Now is the time to learn from past mistakes and build back smarter towards a more caring Ontario.

Yet Ford is taking us in the wrong direction by underfunding health care.

We need to put more resources into clearing the surgery backlog as well as funding public health so Ontario is prepared for the next crisis.

When it comes to protecting the health of Ontarians, we need a government that takes decisive action and listens to the science.

Ford’s failure to heed the advice of the Science Table has resulted in tragic consequences.

We are now facing a 3.5 year-long surgery backlog that will cost taxpayers $1.3 billion to clear — in addition to significant pain and suffering for patients.

If we want a world where the health and well-being of Ontarians is prioritized, then Ford needs to step up and properly invest in health care.”

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