“When it comes to health care, in Fort Erie, Douglas Memorial Hospital’s urgent care centre is closed overnight, and has faced service cuts and daily closures over the summer, despite serving a growing community of nearly 40,000 residents. The Premier’s response over the summer was simply to shrug it off, and it is completely missing from this Economic Statement.” – Wayne Gates Niagara Falls NDP MPP whose riding includes Niagara Falls, Fort Erie and Niagara-on-the-Lake
News from the Constituency Office of Niagara Falls NDP MPP Wayne Gates
Posted November 20th, 2025 on Niagara At Large
Niagara Falls MPP Wayne Gates
QUEEN’S PARK — Ontario NDP MPP Wayne Gates (Niagara Falls) says the Ford government’s Fall Economic Statement (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bSvGCITOu-61_jVHKGwYbOr3CE7xw__m/view) misses the mark for Niagara families who are struggling with rising costs and waiting on long-promised improvements to local services.
“People in Niagara feel abandoned by this government’s broken promises and lack of urgency,” said Gates. “We have an affordability crisis across Niagara and the province. Costs for rent, groceries, utilities and everyday needs for families have spiraled out of control after seven years of Doug Ford. And once again, the Ford government has failed to deliver for Niagara.”
“When it comes to health care, in Fort Erie, Douglas Memorial Hospital’s urgent care centre is closed overnight, and has faced service cuts and daily closures over the summer, despite serving a growing community of nearly 40,000 residents. The Premier’s response over the summer was simply to shrug it off, and it is completely missing from this Economic Statement.”
Gates said the government also continues to ignore long-promised transit investments.
“I have been pushing for full two-way, all-day GO Train service between Niagara and Toronto,” said Gates. “This is essential infrastructure. It would bring tourists, support our businesses, help commuters, reduce congestion, help the environment, and give our residents real access to jobs. Every transit expert says two-way, all-day service would boost the economy, so why is Doug Ford’s government dragging its feet?”
Gates noted that the government’s statement provides no meaningful plan to tackle growing unemployment or the cost of living crisis.
“The Premier spent 19 weeks away from Queen’s Park while our unemployment rate has climbed to 7.8 percent, the highest in decades. Eight hundred thousand people are out of work. Young people, laid-off workers, and small businesses are desperate for new opportunities, and this statement gives them nothing.”
Gates said Niagara families deserve better and will continue to push for that every single day.
“Ontario can do better. Niagara can do better. We deserve bold action, not broken promises.”
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