Provincewide healthcare referendum shows clear opposition to further privatization
Posted May 31, 2023 07:56:47 AM.
Last Updated May 31, 2023 09:01:33 AM.
The results of a provincewide healthcare referendum have been released.
Over the weekend a referendum was held at locations across the province collecting votes on whether people agreed or disagreed with plans by the provincial government to further privatize healthcare services.
According to the Ontario Health Coalition, the organization that ran the referendum, the goal is to show the Ford government the publics stance on any further privatization.
Votes were also collected locally in Waterloo Region and those results we’re announced recently outside Grand River Hospital.
Speaking with CityNews 570, Jim Stewart, chair with the Waterloo Region Health Coalition delved deeper into the local results.
“In Waterloo Region there was a 98 point seven per cent no vote in terms of not promoting privatization of our hospital services.”
Stewart said, that 98 point 7 per cent of “no votes” came out of a total of just under 21,000 votes, matching closely with a 98 point 4 per cent “no vote” total of just over 382,000 provincewide.
He went on to explain why these votes were collected in the first place.
“We’d like Mr. Ford and the government of Ontario to hear from the people of Ontario, not just the corporate lobbyists who have been speaking with the government of Ontario, trying to convince them that privatized healthcare is a good idea.”
At 10 A.M. Wednesday morning all votes collected provincially will be presented outside Queen’s Park, piled in front of the legislature and delivered to the government.
