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

Event Information

Begins: 23 June 2025
Location: Barrie, ON

About 200,000 people in Barrie potentially disadvantaged due to wealth-based access to private clinics

BARRIE, 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 Monday, CUPE’s Ontario Council of Hospital Unions (OCHU-CUPE), will be releasing a new report on privatization at a media conference in Barrie.

The report includes an analysis showing that private clinics disproportionately benefit the most affluent people, while marginalizing most people.

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:
Barrie Public Library, 60 Worsley St, Barrie, ON

WHEN:
2 p.m. on Monday, June 23

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For more information, contact:

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