Horwath

 

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath (pictured above on the weekend in North Bay) questioned the government on the North Bay Regional Health Centre yesterday (Monday) at Queens Park, highlighting job cuts and funding needs.

She asked, “how can this premier defend her record of cutting 350 workers from the North Bay hospital?” 

Health Minister Eric Hoskins replied that the figure dates back to 2011 and includes amalgamation into the new hospital with many positions no longer required.

He went on to say, “In fact, since 2011, the number of layoffs that have occured at the North Bay Regional Health Centre amount to 21.” 

In her supplemental question, Horwath asked, “When will this Premier start listening to the people in North Bay and across Ontario and stop the deep Liberal cuts to hospitals and our healthcare?”

On top of citing local stats like emergency department wait times that are less than half the national average, Hoskins pointed to the NDP Leader’s recent visit in his response.  “If she cared so much about the hospital, why didn’t she even both to call or visit the hospital when she went to North Bay?”

Horwath was in North Bay on the weekend meeting with front-line healhcare staff and advocates.