Healthcare

Under Premier Ford’s government, the privatization of public healthcare has quietly but aggressively been pushed forward. Despite public claims of prioritizing Ontario’s healthcare system, relevant sources, such as the Ontario Health Coalition, show that the province now spends more money on private clinics than public hospitals. These private clinics aren’t just draining public resources—they’re creating a two-tiered healthcare system where only those who can afford to pay out of pocket get faster or better treatment. Meanwhile, public hospitals are left underfunded, overburdened, and unable to adequately serve their communities. 

Nowhere is Ontario’s healthcare neglect more apparent than in Durham Region. The population in towns like Whitby, Bowmanville, and Port Perry is rapidly growing, but the healthcare infrastructure hasn’t kept pace. Doctors have pleaded with the Ontario government to build a new hospital in Whitby, but instead of taking action, the province continues to drag its feet.

COVID-19 exposed just how unprepared and poorly managed our healthcare system is at both the federal and provincial levels. One glaring example? A Canadian company offered to develop a COVID-19 vaccine, which would have created jobs and bolstered domestic production. Instead, the government sent funding to Germany, outsourcing the opportunity and leaving Canadians without a made-at-home solution. This was more than a missed opportunity—it was a failure to invest in the future of Canadian healthcare infrastructure.

Meanwhile, the province’s failure to provide adequate support to hospitals, long-term care homes, and frontline workers during the pandemic was appalling. Healthcare workers were overworked, underpaid, and left without sufficient personal protective equipment (PPE). Long-term care homes became hotspots for outbreaks, with devastating loss of life, particularly among seniors. Ford’s government promised to “spare no expense” to protect Ontarians, but the reality was far from it.

Ontario has the talent, resources, and expertise to lead in healthcare innovation, yet we consistently see funding outsourced to other provinces or countries. This is unacceptable. When we choose to invest in other nations instead of our own, we’re not only losing potential jobs but also weakening our ability to respond to future crises.​​​

Public healthcare has to stay strong, accessible, and properly funded—no compromises. If I’m your member of provincial parliament, I’m putting money back where it belongs: into public hospitals. That means hiring more staff, upgrading facilities, and cutting down those brutal wait times. We all saw how the government dropped the ball during COVID, and as an MPP, I’ll make damn sure Ontario’s never caught that unprepared again. I’ll fight for domestic vaccine production and medical supply manufacturing so we can stand on our own two feet. Pandemic preparedness needs to be more than a buzzword—it’s hospitals that are actually ready, healthcare workers who feel supported, and plans that work when it matters most.

Ontario’s communities deserve better healthcare infrastructure—plain and simple. Too many hospitals across the province are outdated, underfunded, and struggling to keep up with demand. From diagnostics to emergency care, we need serious upgrades to ensure people get the treatment they need close to home. As the MPP for Scarborough—Rouge Park, I will work with my colleagues across party lines to draft a bill that delivers real results for Ontario’s communities. Healthcare can’t wait—we need action now.

As your MPP, I’ll fight to keep healthcare investments local. Whether it’s funding cutting-edge research or equipping hospitals with the best tools, I’ll make sure Ontario leads the pack in healthcare innovation.