MEDIA ADVISORY: Five years into Ford government’s privatization of hospital services: longer wait-times, unequal access, and public opposition

Event Information

Begins: 19 June 2025
Location: North Bay, ON

More than 100,000 people disadvantaged in North Bay

NORTH BAY, ON –(COMMUNITYWIRE)– Five years ago, the Ford government began the privatization of cataract surgeries under the guise of improving wait-times. New data from CIHI shows that wait-times for cataract surgeries have worsened since then, while new polling results show stiff public opposition to the government’s signature policy initiative.

However, the government is now moving ahead with further privatization of hospital services, including knee and hip surgeries.

On Thursday in North Bay, CUPE’s Ontario Council of Hospital Unions (OCHU-CUPE), will be releasing a new report on privatization along with findings of a recent Nanos poll of residents in Ontario, 73 per cent of whom want the government to prioritize investments in public hospitals instead of private clinics.

WHO:
Michael Hurley, president of CUPE’s Ontario Council of Hospital Unions (OCHU-CUPE) and Doug Allan, CUPE Researcher

WHAT:
Media conference to release polling and report on privatization of hospital services

WHERE:
North Bay Public Library – 271 Worthington St E, North Bay, ON

WHEN:
2 p.m. on Thursday, June 19

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For more information, contact:

Zee Noorsumar, CUPE Communications
znoorsumar@cupe.ca
647-995-9859