Ford says Ontario's health care system is meeting the needs of Ontarians, despite pressures brought on by hospital staffing shortages.
Premier Doug Ford says Ontario's health care system is still meeting the needs of residents, despite recent hospital setbacks.
"I want to be clear, Ontarians continue to have access to the care they need, when they need it," Ford told reporters while making an announcement in Stratford this morning.
According to the Ontario Nurses' Association, over two dozen hospitals throughout Ontario were forced to scale back services due to staffing shortages over the long weekend.
Ford said while hospitals are facing "increased pressures" right now, surgeries are occurring at "nearly 90 per cent of the pre-pandemic rates."
However, nursing groups and other healthcare professionals have said workers are leaving the sector in droves due to pandemic burnout and not being properly compensated.
Many nurses say Bill 124, which caps wage bumps for nurses at one percent for three years, is a large source of concern.
Ford noted the provisions expire and won't apply to their next contract negotiations, but didn't commit to repealing it.
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