Mr. Speaker, I want to share with other members of this House the grave concerns of my constituents on the state of health care in Ontario.
Kristine Etten wrote about the lack of prenatal care for Ontario women. She stated: "Women are being turned away by obstetricians-.When the time comes for them to deliver there will be no pediatrician available if there are any complications with the baby. If this had been the case seven months ago, I have to wonder if my daughter would be with me today".
I was also moved by a letter from Mrs. Maria Pankratz, 89 years old, who wrote last month about the extra burden being placed on seniors for medication costs. She stated: "I just don't know what to do. I have willingly fended for myself all my life till I no longer could. I've been very thankful for what my country has done for me. But now I'm scared and sick. What now?"
Cuts to health care are not trivial. They hurt those who are most in need of help. They hurt seniors and children who are the innocent victims of Ontario's attack on health care.
I appeal to the province of Ontario to come to its senses. Do not follow in the footsteps of Alberta and cut, cut, cut only to back pedal and return money to a wounded health care system after people have been hurt and jobs have been lost.
There are some things we must support and demand. One of those things is proper health care.