(Waterloo – August 14, 2008) – Elizabeth Witmer, the Deputy Leader of the Official Opposition and Party Health Critic today pressed the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care to let Ontarians know how many more hospitals will be forced to cut nursing positions.

Despite a 2003 election campaign promise to hire 8,000 new nurses and a 2007 election campaign promise to hire 9,000 nurses, nursing positions are being reduced at hospitals across the province of Ontario. The McGuinty government started cutting nursing positions back in January 2005 when $91 million was spent to eliminate 757 nursing positions. Today the Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA) indicated more cuts are expected. Over the past five months various reports have indicated that nursing positions are slated to be slashed at: Rouge Valley Health System, Leamington District Memorial Hospital, West Nipissing General Hospital and St. Joseph’s Health Care.

Although the McGuinty government’s health tax has taken $12.2 billion out of the pockets of hardworking families, Ontarians are losing access to health care professionals. Could these nursing cuts be an indication of further reductions in access to health care for Ontarians? Does the McGuinty government plan to announce additional health service cuts including the closing of maternity care units and emergency rooms in hospitals?

“The quality of care will certainly be threatened as nursing positions are eliminated,” stated Witmer. “The McGuinty government must ensure that they live up to their promises to hire more nurses so that Ontarians can have access to the health care they need and deserve.”

-30-

For further information contact:
Elizabeth Witmer, MPP
(416) 325-1306