Letter to the Prime Minister from Ontario Healthcare Providers
Ontario Hospital Association
200 Front Street West, Suite 2800
Toronto, Ontario, M5V 3L1
Tel: (416) 205-1345 Fax: (416) 205-1360
Visit our Web Site: http://www.oha.com
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
The Right Honourable Paul Martin
Prime Minister of Canada
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa ON K1A 0A2
Dear Prime Minister:
On behalf of the 12 million people of Ontario that we are here to serve, we are calling on the Federal Government to increase federal transfers to the Province of Ontario to invest in the province’s health care system in order to further accelerate reform.
We fully endorse the unanimous resolution of the Ontario Legislature on February 21, 2005 calling on Ottawa to narrow the $23 billion gap in net contributions from Ontarians to the federation. We also support the call of the Ontario Government for an increase of $5 billion in additional federal cash transfers to Ontario in 2005/06 for urgent priorities, including health care.
We believe that investing in Ontario is investing in Canada. Ontario taxpayers contribute significantly to our federation. It is fitting that the federal government pays its fair share to the people of Ontario in support of Canada’s Medicare system.
Yours sincerely,
Original Signed by
Hilary Short
President and CEO
Ontario Hospital Association
Doris Grinspun
Executive Director
Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario
John Rapin
President
Ontario Medical Association
Karen Sullivan
Executive Director
Ontario Long-Term Care Association
Susan VanderBent
Executive Director
Ontario Home Care Association
Joe McReynolds
CEO
Ontario Community Support Association
Donna Rubin
CEO
Ontario Association of Non-Profit Homes & Services for Seniors
Copy:
The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Federal Minister of Finance
The Honourable Ujjal Dosanjh, Federal Minister of Health
The Honourable Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario
The Honourable Gregory Sorbara, Ontario Minister of Finance
The Honourable George Smitherman, Ontario Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
Ontario Federal Members of Parliament
Ontario Members of Provincial Parliament
For further information:
OHA Public Affairs
416-205-1348