MEDIA ADVISORY: New CCPA study warns about growing health care privatization as Ontario budget promises $280 million to for-profit clinics: Zoom media conference at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday

Event Information

Begins: 22 May 2025
Location: Sarnia, ON – via videoconference

SARNIA, ON –(COMMUNITYWIRE)– The staffing crisis stemming from chronic underfunding of Ontario’s hospitals has fueled a dramatic growth in the usage of for-profit staffing agencies to the tune of $9.2 billion, according to a new research study by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.

Andrew Longhurst, the author of the report, says that last week’s budget shows Ontario is continuing down the same policy path as the government announced $280 million in additional funding for for-profit surgical and diagnostic centres.  

Longhurst, who in 2023 authored a report on privatization of Ontario’s hospital services, will be speaking at a press conference to reveal findings from the new study and provide analysis on growing health care privatization in the province.

He will be joined by Michael Hurley, the president of CUPE’s Ontario Council of Hospital Unions.

WHEN:
10:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 22

WHERE:
Zoom link 

WHAT:
Media conference to release findings of new CCPA research report

WHO:
Andrew Longhurst, research associate with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and author of the new report.
Michael Hurley, president, Ontario Council of Hospital Unions (OCHU/CUPE), representing 50,000 Ontario hospital and long-term care employees.

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For more information, please contact:

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