TORONTO—On a recent media release the Ontario Nurses Association, (ONA), in anticipation of this year’s Labour Day, stated their commitment to protecting public health care for all Ontarians.
In their media release, ONA President Cathryn Hoy, RN., spoke about what she described as the “devastating harm”, that privatization of health care would cause. "The current government's unprecedented war on the very people who have devoted their careers to caring for others has only strengthened our resolve to advocate for our patients, residents and clients," says ONA President Cathryn Hoy, RN. "The pandemic has put the spotlight on the very real and devasting harm that privatization causes when it creeps into the public system that every Canadian so values."
The ONA president blamed the Ford government for the current health care crisis, citing their policies as a reason for nurses leaving their profession, and indicating that the government caused the health care crisis, only to privatize it.
"The nursing shortage is a direct result of not just the neglect of governments, but also the policies of government that were no doubt intended to send nurses running for the exits," she says. "However, as patient advocates, our commitment and solidarity has only been strengthened. We will do everything possible to prevent the harm that introducing private profit into healthcare will cause to our patients."
Hoy called on Ontarians to pay attention to the actions of the province and speak out. "We are strong and united, and would welcome support from the people we vow to protect," she says.
ONA is the union representing more than 68,000 registered nurses and health-care professionals, as well as 18,000 nursing student affiliates, providing care in hospitals, long-term care facilities, public health, the community, clinics and industry.