Scarborough-Ajax Facing Among the Worst Hospital Cuts in Ontario: Campaign Launched to Protect Services

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Oct. 15, 2013) - Today the Scarborough Health Coalition launched a campaign in Scarborough to protect hospital services. According to hospital documents, $28 million in "savings" must be found next year, meaning millions of dollars in hospital service cuts are underway and even more are being planned. "The issues in Scarborough have been obscured by all the merger talk. But the bottom line is that the communities of Scarborough and Ajax are facing a $28 million cut to hospital services," said Natalie Mehra director of the Ontario Health Coalition. "There is no question that if people stand up and put a lot of political pressure on our MPPs and the provincial government we can win improved funding to offset the cuts."

The Ontario government has frozen hospital funding, leaving hospitals scrambling to cut services as the gap grows between funding needs - for hospital inflation, population growth and aging - and the amount of hospital funding from the provincial government. Meanwhile, the Ontario government's corporate tax cuts continue and the government has rejected almost all revenue-generating possibilities that would protect our public services from cuts.

The campaign will include town hall meetings, mass leafleting door-to-door and at community events, and a Day of Action at local MPPs' offices.

Upcoming Town Hall Meetings

Tuesday October 22, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

The Malvern Recreation Centre (Gym/Mezzanine) located at 30 Sewells Road, Scarborough

Speakers will include: Ruskin Ramsundar, Owner/Publisher of Durham Citizen News, Louis Saldenah, bandleader of Louis Saldenah Mas-K Club, Natalie Mehra, executive director of the Ontario Health Coalition

Tuesday October 29, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Ajax Public Library, Main Branch (Rotary Room) located at 55 Harwood Avenue South

In partnership with the Friends of the Ajax-Pickering Hospital

For more information please contact: Kim Johnston Campaign Director, 416-441-2502

Saturday November 9, Day of Action

Details TBA. The Day of Action will take place at all Scarborough area MPPs' offices.