NDP Health and Long-Term Care Critic France Gélinas issued the following statement on today’s isolation of a VIA train in Foleyet, Ontario:

"I am relieved that there is no evidence of an outbreak of infectious disease. Foleyet is in my riding and obviously the situation alarmed local residents. This afternoon's announcement will put my constituents' minds at ease.

NDP Critic for Health and Long-Term Care France Gélinas today urged the McGuinty Liberals to halt their P3 hospital deals after a report shows Ontarians may be on the hook for up to $500 million more than planned.

NDP Critic for Health and Long-Term Care Critic France Gélinas today blasted the McGuinty Liberals for continuing to deliver “second class” health care in First Nations communities.

“The Chiefs of Ontario know that we need to focus on the key social determinants of health. They know healing requires culturally appropriate health promotion. They’ve asked the McGuinty Liberals to invest in existing and new Aboriginal Health Access Centres (AHACs) and promote health in First Nations communities. Why are the McGuinty Liberals ignoring their obligations?” said Gélinas.

NDP MPPs France Gélinas (Nickel Belt) and Rosario Marchese (Trinity-Spadina) today introduced the NDP’s Communities at Play program – an initiative that would provide $75 million annually to municipalities and local organizations to help with the costs of operating sports and recreation programs and improving facilities.

NDP Critic for Health and Long-Term Care France Gélinas is calling on the McGuinty government to end competitive bidding in home care.

“The current competitive bidding model has decimated not-for-profit home care providers. It has compromised the quality of care provided to Ontarians and seriously undervalued and under-compensated those dedicated to providing home care,” said Gélinas at a press conference today with homecare workers and members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1.on.

NDP Critic for Health and Long-Term Care France Gélinas is urging the McGuinty Liberals to undertake a real comprehensive review of their regressive Health Tax.

“Four years ago when McGuinty introduced his regressive Health Tax, he promised Ontarians he’d review it. Now he’s reluctantly agreed, but states nothing will change. That’s not right. Ontarians expect and deserve a comprehensive review of the Health Tax,” said Gélinas, MPP for Nickel Belt.