Premier Doug Ford and Health Minister Christine Elliott have released a statement following their meeting today with the Ontario Nurses’ Association.
The Province reports it was a productive meeting and you can read the full statement below:
“Ontario’s nurses have been on the frontline of our battle against COVID-19 from the very start and we are forever grateful for their continued dedication to providing care.
As we come out of this pandemic, we need to work together to repair a health care system that has been stretched to its limits. Nurses need to be at the centre of that conversation and we are pleased with the productive meeting today with the Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA).
While our government has already invested hundreds of millions of dollars to hire more nurses, we know more needs to be done to further expand staffing. That’s why we have asked the ONA for input and ideas on what we can do attract, train and retain more nurses, as well as get them into the system sooner.
These efforts must be supported by the federal government paying its fair share of health care spending. Every single province is feeling the same strain on their health care system, including capacity issues, staffing shortages and surgical backlogs. No province can do it on their own. We need the federal government to be a true funding partner by increasing the Canada Health Transfer.
Today was a continuation of many ongoing and important conversations with our frontline partners, including nurses, doctors, PSWs, first responders and other health system leaders. Together we’re building a more resilient health care system with more frontline workers, more hospital beds and long-term care homes. We’re building a more resilient province that makes important supplies like N95 masks right here in Ontario. Together we’re building a better future for the people and communities we serve.”