(As part of Niagara At Large’s mission to provide more information than the mainstream media on issues of concern to residents in our greater binational Niagara region, we offer the following for-the-record exchange between Ontario Liberal Premier Dalton McGuinty and NDP leader Andrea Horwath on the issue of hospital services in Niagara)
Ms. Andrea Horwath: This is over to the Premier as well. Ontarians are soon going to have some answers about the terrible tragedy that took place on December 27 in the Niagara region. The coroner’s inquest into the death of Reilly Anzovino will determine whether this young woman’s tragic death may have been prevented had the emergency room of Fort Erie not been forced to shut its doors last year.
Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horwath
In the face of growing health care cuts, Ontarians are looking to the government for assurance. If the coroner’s jury determines that the ER closures in Port Colborne and Fort Erie contributed to Reilly Anzovino’s death, will the Premier commit to reopening them?
Hon. Dalton McGuinty: I don’t think it would be appropriate for me to comment on the outcome that my colleague is speculating about.
Let me just say, on behalf of the government, we welcome this review by the coroner’s office. We look forward to receiving the jury’s recommendations, and we look forward to acting on those in any way that serves the interests of the people of Ontario.
The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary.
Ms. Andrea Horwath: Well, certainly none of us would want to prejudge the outcome of the coroner’s investigation, but Ontario families tell us this tragedy has left them worried. They’re looking for reassurance and they’re looking for it now. They want to see responsible planning to ensure the health care system is there when we need it. Instead, we’re seeing reckless random cuts that leave people without the front line services that they need.
The question is a simple one: Will the government reconsider the closure of these ERs if the coroner finds those decisions played a role in this tragic incident?
Hon. Dalton McGuinty: Of course, I have to take issue with my honourable colleague’s characterization of the approach that we’ve brought to health care. We have more nurses. We have more doctors. We have more medical technologies than ever before. We’re building hospitals; we’re expanding hospitals. Some 900,000 more Ontarians have access to family physicians. We have the first nurse practitioner-led clinics in North America. We’re funding more drugs than ever before.
I know that my honourable colleague would admit in her heart of hearts that to characterize this as a series of cuts is nonsensical. The fact of the matter is that we’re moving forward and making considerable new investments in health care with a view to ensuring that we provide better quality health care to all families. That’s what we’ve done and that’s what we will continue to do.
The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Final supplementary.
Ms. Andrea Horwath: Notwithstanding the Premier’s claims, families across Ontario actually want to see a government plan to ensure that our health system will be there when we need it and when our children need it. Instead, what they’re really getting, and what they’re seeing day in and day out, is random cuts that leave communities without front line health services.
With surgeries being cancelled, services being cut back at hospitals across the province, Ontarians, all they want, is assurance. They want assurance and they expect that to come from the top. Will the Premier today stop hiding behind the LHINs and take some responsibility for health care in Ontario and ensure Ontario families that ERs will be there for them when they need them?
Hon. Dalton McGuinty: I will take this opportunity to ask Ontarians to take a close look at our record of new, in fact, dramatic new increases in their health care services in all our communities. I want to reassure them that we will always hold uppermost in our minds the tremendous value that they attach to health care in their communities. That’s something that has always informed our government policies and will continue to do so long into the future.
(Click on www.niagaraatlarge.com for Niagara At Large and more news and commentary of interest and concern to residents in our greater binational Niagara region.)
(Niagara At Large contacted Conservative Party leader Tim Hudak’s office for any hansard or other commentary on this matter and will post it when it comes in.)
Niagara At Large 