QUEEN’S PARK—Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Michael Mantha says he will continue to fight for access to healthcare in Northern Ontario. This comes after MPP Mantha’s Bill 13, the Northern Health Travel Grant Advisory Committee Act, was defeated by a vote of 73-32 at second reading on February 26.
“I want to thank my colleagues who supported this bill to help Northerners seeking access to medical treatment. Sadly, the Progressive Conservatives caucus used their majority in the legislature to see it fail,” MPP Mantha said after the vote.
The bill would have struck a committee of healthcare providers and patients from Northern Ontario to make recommendations to improve the Northern Health Travel Grant (NHTG).
“I am disappointed in the Progressive Conservative caucus for voting against this measure to improve the lives of Northern Ontarians,” said MPP Mantha. “It is especially disheartening to see that some Northern MPPs voted against this bill, when their constituents rely on this grant.”
MPP Mantha pointed out the Auditor General’s annual report for 2023 identified the NHTG as an area where the government needs to improve to ensure residents of Northern Ontario are getting timely and adequate access to healthcare.
“We know that the NHTG is necessary, but that it’s not working as well as it could,” MPP Mantha said. “I will keep fighting for access to healthcare in the North. Whether it is the NHTG, our public hospitals or homecare, Northerners deserve the same service and care as everyone else in our province.”
