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February 14th, 2022

NDP stands with health care workers who have carried Canadians through the pandemic

NDP Leader says that the plan forward has to be based on the advice of public health experts, not on the demands of an angry mob

OTTAWA – Today, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh reiterated his party’s commitments to supporting health care workers and building a stronger health care systems for all Canadians. In this morning’s press conference, Singh was joined by an ICU nurse from Edmonton who shared how difficult the working conditions have been for front-line health care workers throughout the pandemic and how much help is still needed for workers to recover.

“Health care workers have been working tirelessly for the last two years despite staff shortages and burn out. They have never stopped fighting to help Canadians get through this pandemic,” said Singh. “But now, some provinces are repaying their hard work and dedication by dropping health restrictions overnight with no regard for how this will impact Canadians, and health care workers and our health care system already at the brink of collapse. We can’t create a situation where our health care system and workers are overwhelmed with COVID-19 cases simply because we’re tired of restrictions. Like all Canadians, we want to see a plan to move forward but the federal government has to do that by working with public health experts and with the safety and security of Canadians in mind.”

Instead of making politicized decisions or catering to the demands of people terrorizing our communities like Ottawa and Windsor, Singh and New Democrats want to see a plan created in collaboration with public health experts to ensure Canadians have the help they need, health care workers are supported, and hospitals have what they need to get safely through the pandemic. This must include enough rapid tests, a robust vaccine booster campaign and the much-needed investments in our health care system to make sure it is never again on the brink of collapse.

“We’re seeing Premiers make decisions because they’re more worried about an upcoming election than public health. Canadians, especially health care workers, deserve so much better,” said Singh. “It’s understandable that Canadians are frustrated and exhausted by the lack of leadership they’re seeing from the federal government. We have to make sure that our road map moving forward honours the sacrifices made by health care workers and all Canadians in the last two years, and keeps our friends and neighbours safe. The best way to do that is to keep working with public health experts.”