The North Bay Regional Health Center has been battered by cost cutting and underfunding in recent years, and Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli is telling Ontario’s liberal government that is must stop.

A recent cash injection of $6 million has helped the hospital ease cutback costs, but still several years of underfunding have taken a toll. Last year some 158 jobs were slashed, while 30 beds were removed from the hospital and it annex locations. Speaking to the Ontario Legislature, Fedeli was explicit in saying enough is enough:

“At the pre-budget hearings in recent weeks, one thing became painfully clear – this government’s policies and decisions are directly hurting Ontarians. A deliberate choice has been made to cut health care and layoff nurses by the hundreds. As a result, all three parties heard stories about patients collapsing on their front steps after being discharged from care too early.

‎”At the hearings, it’s worth noting that 30 times, violence was referred to, mostly in connection to health care and corrections workers. At North Bay Regional Health Centre, this government has cut 350 frontline healthcare workers, including 100 nurses. One nurse was recently fired after the violence issue was addressed publicly. I addressed a rally in front of my office last week – and pledged to bring this issue to Queen’s Park. I ask the government today, to expedite the review of her grievance.

“The Premier, meanwhile, needs to realize many of these professionals subject to workplace violence are women – yet the cuts continue. This is happening today in Kathleen Wynne’s Ontario, because the government can’t manage our finances and spends on self-interest.”

“These health care cuts must stop.”