2003-03-19

I suppose with the American invasion of Iraq looming, with the potential for tens of thousands of deaths, a few Canadians killed by a mystery bug must seem almost insignificant. Our West Nile outbreak cannot match the numbers of deaths each year from smoking nor the days lost due to the flu.

However, if you are one of those people affected, either directly or indirectly, the results are no less devastating. Some assurances that everything that reasonably could be done was done would at least offer some comfort.

Sadly, the evidence indicates otherwise. Doctors and Scientists at the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-term Care have been let go while the Tories tell the municipalities to plan their own response to West Nile. There is no response at all to even newer diseases.

Nurses, Laboratory Technologists and other health care workers in our hospitals have been downsized or privatized. Just today, I read of yet another round of layoffs and bed closures at Scarborough Centenary Hospital. All this in the name of Tory budget control forced on the hospitals despite the impacts on patient care.

The first plank of the NDP's publicpower platform is "Practical Solutions for Public Health Care". The NDP pledges to stop siphoning off our precious health care dollars to private profit. When I compare this to the Tory's record and to the Liberal's flip-flops on health care issues, there can be no doubt which party wants to safeguard health care for the people of Ontario.

Gary Dale, Provincial NDP Candidate
Scarborough East