In a scathing rebuke that has reverberated across Ontario’s political landscape, NDP health critic France Gélinas has launched a pointed attack on the Ford government’s healthcare spending priorities, declaring that “enough is enough” when it comes to public funds flowing into private healthcare ventures.
Speaking at a press conference in Sudbury yesterday, Gélinas presented what she described as alarming evidence of systematic diversion of taxpayer dollars from public hospitals to for-profit clinics and facilities. “We’re witnessing the deliberate weakening of our public healthcare system,” Gélinas asserted, her voice reflecting the urgency of her message. “Every dollar that goes to shareholder profits is a dollar not spent on patient care.”
The veteran Nickel Belt MPP highlighted recent provincial data indicating that over $780 million in healthcare funding has been directed toward private entities in the past fiscal year—a 34% increase from pre-pandemic levels. This shift comes as public hospitals across the province report critical staffing shortages and increasing wait times for essential procedures.
“The evidence is irrefutable,” Gélinas told reporters. “While northern communities struggle to maintain basic emergency services, this government is enriching private clinic operators in urban centers.” Her criticism was particularly aimed at the controversial Bill 60, which she characterized as “a Trojan horse for healthcare privatization.”
Healthcare policy experts have echoed many of Gélinas’ concerns. Dr. Melanie Thompson, health economics professor at Laurentian University, notes that “Ontario’s healthcare expenditures have certainly shifted toward private delivery models, though whether this constitutes better value for taxpayers remains hotly contested.”
The provincial government has defended its approach, with Health Minister Sylvia Jones stating that partnerships with private providers help “reduce backlogs and improve access.” However, internal ministry documents obtained through freedom of information requests appear to contradict this narrative, showing longer recovery times and higher complication rates at several for-profit surgical facilities compared to their public counterparts.
For residents of Northern Ontario, these policy decisions have real-world implications. Sarah Lamarche, a Sudbury resident who has waited 14 months for orthopedic surgery, expressed frustration at the current system: “I’m being told I could get my procedure done faster if I travel to a private clinic in Toronto, but why should I have to leave my community for care that should be available here?”
The Ontario Health Coalition has announced plans to challenge aspects of the government’s healthcare privatization agenda in court, arguing that certain provisions may violate the Canada Health Act. Meanwhile, Gélinas has vowed to continue pressing the issue when the legislature reconvenes next month.
“This isn’t just about budgets and balance sheets,” Gélinas emphasized in her closing remarks. “It’s about the fundamental promise we make to each other as Canadians—that your health matters more than your wealth.”
As Ontario approaches an election year, the question remains: will voters prioritize healthcare reform at the ballot box, or will other issues overshadow what many consider the most consequential policy debate of our time?
