MEDIA ADVISORY: Five years into Ford government’s privatization of hospital services: longer wait-times, unequal access, and public opposition
Event Information
Begins: 20 June 2025
Location: Niagara Falls, ON
About 385,000 people in Niagara Region potentially disadvantaged due to privatization which disproportionately benefits the wealthy
NIAGARA FALLS, 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 Friday, CUPE’s Ontario Council of Hospital Unions (OCHU-CUPE), will be releasing a new report on privatization at a media conference in Niagara Falls.
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:
Public Library, 4848 Victoria Avenue, Niagara Falls
WHEN:
10 a.m. on Friday, June 20
-30-
For more information, contact:
Zee Noorsumar, CUPE Communications
znoorsumar@cupe.ca
647-995-9859