Ontario Premier Doug Ford acknowledged Tuesday through his throne speech that more can be done to ease health-system pressures.
Lieutenant-Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell delivered Ford’s speech from the throne, which marks the start of a new legislative session.
Ford says the Progressive Conservative government is working with health-system stakeholders to identify ideas to tackle the issue.
Elsewhere, Ontario nursing unions are criticizing the government’s throne speech for what they say is a lack of a clear plan to tackle the current health-care crisis.
The Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario says the government’s response is out of step with what it called the massive shortfall of nurses in the province, while the Ontario Nurses’ Association slammed the government’s continued cap on nurses’ wages.
Premier Doug Ford says the government is working to address short-term stressors on the health-care system while noting long-term investments in integrated care and mental health and addictions.
Hospitals across the province have reported recurring temporary emergency room closures for months as they struggle with staffing shortages.
