The Ontario Council of Hospital Unions is holding a series of protests across the province against the privatization of the health care system.
A demonstration took place in front of the Kenora office of Kenora-Rainy River MPP Greg Rickford today.
Sharon Richer is secretary treasure of the council and says they want to make sure health care is the number one issue in the next provincial election.
“I think there is going to be a snap election and I think he’s (Doug Ford) is going to call it, probably this spring, and he sees his number’s being popular,” Richer said during the protest Thursday morning.
“That’s why we’re out here trying to get our message across.”
Lake of the Woods District Hospital says it’s applying a license for an MRI but is worried the provincial government will license a private clinic instead.
Richer says unfortunately, this isn’t an isolated situation.
“You know, we see it all the time that these private corporations open up an MRI, they charge more, that takes money out of the public system for people to get their MRI. So, the public money is being drawn out.”
Instead of privatization, Richer says they would like concrete measures to attract and retain new nursing and other health care staff and the addition of new beds.
