Stiles’ NDP will fight rising costs and fix health care for Niagara

TORONTO – With just one day before voters go to the polls, Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles joined nurses from the Ontario Nurses Assocation Local 26 in Niagara Falls to talk about the fixing public health care with an NDP government that is on your side.

She was joined by candidates from the Ontario NDP’s strong Niagara team: Wayne Gates (Niagara Falls) and Dave Augustyn (Niagara West).

“In Niagara, your vote has real power. The power to elect strong New Democrat MPPs who will fight for people and reverse seven years of Doug Ford’s neglect.

Ford’s Conservatives haven’t delivered for Niagara. Over 85,000 people in Niagara are without a family doctor and we’re seeing cuts to urgent care. Your groceries and bills for the basics are more expensive than ever. And seniors here in Niagara Falls feel like they are being forgotten. Your vote for the NDP can change that.”

As Premier, with a strong Niagara team, I will fight rising costs, fix health care and help families get ahead.”

The Ontario NDP’s platform will help fight rising costs and fix healthcare in Niagara, it includes:

• Hiring more nurses and family doctors with a Family Health Guarantee: Over 85,000 people lack a family doctor in Niagara.
• Restore service to Fort Erie Urgent Care Centre, Port Colborne Urgent Care Centre, and restore 24/7 emergency services to the Welland Hospital.
• Providing a recurring Monthly Grocery Rebate that is based on how much the cost of essential groceries like milk, bread and vegetables have increased under Ford.
• Bringing back the Staycation tax credit to support tourism in Niagara and support local businesses.

Quotes:

Wayne Gates, Niagara Falls

Doug Ford has failed us on healthcare. Our seniors—our mothers, fathers, and grandparents—are the backbone of our community. They built Niagara, and they deserve timely, quality health care. But under Doug Ford's American-style healthcare scheme, they’ve been left behind. Patients are stuck in hallways, ER and MRI wait times are skyrocketing, and people can’t find family doctors. In Fort Erie, residents can't even access the urgent care centre overnight. This is a failure on Doug Ford's part and enough is enough. I have always stood up for our seniors and for high-quality public health care in Niagara, and I’ll keep fighting for our community each and every day.

Dave Augustyn, Niagara West

Niagara families need a government on their side. Seven years of Doug Ford has made it harder to afford the basics and to receive the health care you need. Here in Niagara, your vote has real power. You can vote to make life more affordable, to hire doctors and nurses, and to save the Welland Hospital Emergency Department and Port Colborne Urgent Care Centre.

Background: Ford has left Niagara behind

• 85,908 people don’t have a doctor in Niagara
• 92 people are treated in hallways at Niagara Health Systems
• 23,796 people use Food Banks in Niagara, up to 38% are children
• $389 million in school repairs needed in Niagara
• Rent has gone up 47% in Niagara