Justin Trudeau abandons health workers and Canadians in need of health care

NDP Health Critic Don Davies released the following statement:

“For months, the Liberals have known that our health care system is on the brink of collapse. They’ve been warned by health care workers and by families waiting for care. Emergency rooms across the country have had to shut their doors because of the lack of resources and staff shortages. And when families can get to the ER, they've been forced to wait 10 to 20 hours to get the care they need—leading to more issues, and in some tragic cases, even death.

With evidence so staggering, it is incomprehensible that the Liberals failed to reach an agreement with the provinces this week to ensure necessary funding to tackle this healthcare crisis. More alarming is the refusal of the Prime Minister to meet with the Premiers and Territorial leaders to make sure our health care system is protected and improved so that people can rely on it when they need it. Canadians expect him to show up, sit down with Premiers and not leave the room until solutions are found. Public threats and vague commitments won’t save our health care system from collapsing—real leadership and action will.

Liberals have been saying for years that more money is coming to provinces for health care, but it has yet to arrive. While they delay, people are dying and health care workers are suffering. The Liberals need to stop pointing fingers and act with the urgency this crisis deserves. Lives are on the line.

New Democrats know that solutions exist. We know that all stakeholders are ready to act. We refuse to accept this absurd stalemate and political game-playing.

And we won’t stop fighting to protect our universal, public health care system and ensure Canadians receive the health care they deserve when they need it.”