MEDIA ADVISORY - Protests Against Ford Government's Expanding Hospital Privatization Plans

Core Message - The Ford government in Ontario is privatizing public hospitals, leading to increased costs for patients and reduced local hospital services, prompting calls for public pressure to halt these changes [1] Group 1: Privatization Impact - The privatization of cataract surgeries has resulted in patients being charged thousands of dollars at private clinics, contradicting previous government assurances that services would remain fully covered [2][10] - The Ontario Health Coalition warns that the government plans to extend privatization to orthopedic surgeries and diagnostic services, which violates the principles of the Canada Health Act and Ontario's Public Medicare laws [10] Group 2: Protests and Public Response - Protests are scheduled across Ontario, including locations in Toronto, Mississauga, Oshawa, London, and Hamilton, to raise awareness and oppose the privatization efforts [3][4][5][6] - The Coalition has previously submitted a formal complaint to the Ford government regarding illegal charges at private clinics, but no action has been taken to reimburse affected patients or halt the clinics [10] Group 3: Financial Aspects - The Ford government is reportedly shifting over a billion dollars annually to private clinics and for-profit staffing corporations instead of funding local hospitals, which often have underutilized operating rooms due to lack of resources [10] - Specific patient experiences highlight the financial burden of privatization, with individuals facing significant out-of-pocket expenses for necessary surgeries [12]