On Air Now Laura Mainella More FM Weekends 10:00am - 2:00pm
Now Playing Blue Rodeo Diamond Mine

Ontario Liberal MPP Pitches Healthcare Plan in St. Catharines

Photo Credit: ola.org

Don Valley East MPP makes healthcare announcement in St. Catharines

One of the potential hopefuls for the Ontario Liberal leadership race was in St. Catharines today. 

Don Valley East MPP Adil Shamji was at Niagara Health to unveil a plan to help Ontarians looking to find a new doctor. 

He says over 2 million Ontarians don't have a family doctor, and it's causing a lot of problems. 

"There are people that would normally qualify for ODSP, but they can't even get to a family doctor to get the forms filled out," he says. "When people can't access primary, they go to the only place that's left. They go to the emergency department. And there they have to deal with out of control, long lines, if the emergency department in their area is open in the first place."

His plan calls for the fast tracking of foreign-trained doctors, a strategy to get doctors where they're needed most, and encouraging graduates to choose family practice. 

Shamji, who is the party's health critic, also notes that he's leaning towards running for the Liberal party leadership, but hasn't made a final decision yet. 

More from Local News