CouncilBriefs

Most readers of this column know that whilemycareerhasrecentlyhitsomeheavyseas of late, I believe that navigating such a trying stormhasprovidedmewithtremendousopportunities.Theexperiencehasallowedmetocontemplate my values, who and what I am and where my heart is leading me. It has not been fun; however, it's one of those 'what doesn't kill me, makes me stronger experiences.' So, rather than seeinggreyskiesandgloom,I'mencouragedby thepathbeforeme.

I shared the above with readers because theotherdaysittinginacoffeeshop,agentleman recognized me and initiated a conversation. Listening to his concerns, it was evident that he sufferedfromfatigue.Hetoldmehereadoneof my recent columns and asked, "Mike, how do youdoit?I'mtiredofhearingonthenewshowso manyfamiliesliveontheedgeandfeelhopeless. I'mtiredofhearingourpoliticiansarescheming andlyingratherthanconstructivelyplanningand helping.AndI'mtiredoflosinghopeeverytimeI amabletodredgeabitup."

Ihaveheardalotofsimilarcommentsin recentyears,butthisgentleman'sremarksreally hit home for me. I quickly realized the man's observation was an ideal comparison of how DougFordishandlingtheissueofourhealthcare system. It is already no secret that Mr. Ford is orchestrating a mammoth-sized and injurious crisis so that he can say the only way to fix the problemisbyprivatizingthesystem.

PremierFordisnotsomuchplanningbut ratherschemingtoprivatizehealthcare.Hewants Ontarians to believe his claims that he is doing everything humanly possible to save public healthcare, but he is well-practised in the art of distraction. Some readers will recall the column PayNoAttentiontoThatManBehindtheCurtain inwhichIcomparedthePremiertotheWizardin the Wizard of Oz story. The thing is that Mr. Ford's act is getting old now. People have witnessed his sleight of hand so many times that everyoneknowswhathe'supto.Now,theydon't even bother to look to see what he is doing or saying. This leads me back to my original comment that people are absolutely fatigued by politicalschemingandhalf-truthsinthenameof patronageandfinancialgain.

Here'sanexample.Createashortageofa necessity, such as water.At first, it's just a hardship to be tolerated. But, deprive people long enough, and they'll pay for the water, which has been free until now. Eventually, if you prolong the artificial shortage, people will ultimately be willingtopayanypriceforjust a small bottle. Ever seen how much they charge for a little bottleofwaterinthosevending machines at rest stops on Hwy 400or401?Sothetacticworks.

Look at Ontario's healthcare system. A shortage of doctors was not only anticipated but orchestrated by the government by way of deliberate inaction and underfunding. The lack of doctors has led to unendingwaitlistsforsurgeries and treatments. And, just as with the water example, after languishing on endless waiting lists, people who can afford it willgladlypayforhealthcareif it moves them up the line, leaving those with lower financial resources out in the cold. This is just wrong all the wayaround.

Premier Ford's mantra is that privately delivered healthcare is cheaper than publicly funded care. For example, on March 14, 2023, the CBC posted that the Canadian Institute for Health Information(CIHI)didastudy that found " knee replacement surgery in a public hospital, paid by the province, costs about $10,000. The same surgery in a private clinic can reportedly cost patientsupto$28,000."

ItseemstomethatMr.Ford'sbottomline isverymuchopentointerpretation.PremierFord tells Ontarians the bottom line is to provide Ontarians with world-class public healthcare. Butthefactsdonotbearouthisclaims.Weneed to sit up and take notice when it comes to our healthcare system. Ontarians must clearly understandandapproveofwhatourownbottom lineis.Manyhealthcareprofessionalsandpatient advocateswarnusthatFord'sbottomlineistofill the wallets of healthcare facility owners and investors,eventhoughhedeniesit.

PremierFord'ssolutionisBill60,which was passed by the Conservatives this week. VotersdidnotgiveMr.Fordanelectionmandate to cut core services such as surgeries and diagnosticsfromourpublichealthcaresystem.Bill60 transfers such services to private for-profit hospitals and clinics. The Ontario Health Coalition (OHC) states, "Initially, they (the government) plan to move 14,000 cataract surgeries to new private day hospitals thattheywanttohaveupandrunningbynextfall. Thegovernmenthasalreadyannouncedrepeated rounds of tens of millions of dollars for private clinics, even while underspending on public healthcare and failing to meet population needs for care. They announced that they plan to privatizehipandkneesurgeriesby2024."

And if privatizing these surgeries and morewerenotenough,theOHCgoesontopoint out that Bill 60 also privatizes "oversight of private clinics and deregulates health care staffing including who can call themselves a doctor,asurgeon,anurse,anMRItechnologist,a respiratorytherapistandmore."

Unfortunately, Doug Ford is leading us down a twisted pathway to disaster from which our healthcare system will never recover. So it is worrisome that Mr. Ford's scheme might be working. He's playing on people's waning resolveandstrength.

Like the gentleman I met at the coffee shop,weallarewearyofturmoil,strifeandstress inourdailylives.Manyofusarescaredbecause we fear losing out as we sit mired on some waitinglist.Butknowthis;allthosewaitinglists result from political scheming and distracting sleight of hand. So we must make things right now, for us and our children and grandchildren, beforeitistoolate.

Wecannotandmustnotallowweariness andapathytosetin.Inrepresentingthepeopleof Algoma-Manitoulin,mybottomlinehasnothing to do with profits and financial payoffs. My bottomlineistoprovideallOntarianswithaccess toalevelplayingfieldofexcellenthealthcarefor everyone, regardless of geographic location or income.

Asalways,pleasefeelfreetocontactmy office about these issues or any other provincial matters.Youcanreachmyconstituencyofficeby email at my new address, mmanthaco@ola.org or by phoneToll-free at 1-800-8311899.