QUEEN’S PARK—The release of the provincial budget demonstrates that the Doug Ford government is not concerned with Northern Ontario, says Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Michael Mantha.
“The Ford government has again failed to provide relief for Northerners with its 2024 budget,” said MPP Mantha in a release. “Most of the big items in this budget were reannouncements of previous spending commitments.”
“At the same time, the government fell short when it came to social services, freezing spending and providing an increase to Community Living below expected inflation,” said MPP Mantha. He explained when budgets in the development services sector are already stretched to their limits, the lack of a meaningful increase will mean cuts to services for the most vulnerable in our communities.
“This government again chose not to seriously address the healthcare crisis we are facing in the North,” continued MPP Mantha. “For months hospitals in small, rural and remote communities across Northern Ontario have raised the alarm on the financial pressures that are pushing them towards a crisis.”
“It was made clear that anything short of a 10 percent base funding increase for rural and remote hospitals would fail to meet the realities faced in our communities where the delivery of care is more complex and operating costs are much higher,” explained MPP Mantha. “Sadly, the Ford government has ignored those warnings and fallen far short. As a result, access to healthcare and patient outcomes will continue to worsen in the North.”
“Premier Ford’s government is clearly not concerned with the realities faced by Northerners,” said MPP Mantha. “I will continue to be a voice for Algoma-Manitoulin in the legislature and push this government to deliver on the needs of Northern Ontario.”
