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 Leader Howard Hampton today demanded the McGuinty Liberals commit to a minimum daily standard of 3.5 hours of care for residents in Ontario’s nursing homes and long-term care facilities.

“The McGuinty Liberals have failed to deliver 3.5 hours of hands-on care for our seniors. The most vulnerable seniors are dying in long-term care homes because there’s no minimum standard of care,” said Hampton.

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.

Hamilton’s NDP MPPs, Andrea Horwath and Paul Miller, are shocked about the latest attack on our dedicated home care providers and on the delivery of health care services as close to home as possible for our most vulnerable citizens.

NDP Leader Howard Hampton today slammed the McGuinty government for its failure to deliver improved hands-on care for seniors in Ontario’s long-term care facilities.

“Our seniors are not getting the care they need because staff are overworked. Dalton McGuinty’s response is to provide a meager extra five minutes of hands-on care per day. Everyone – from workers to families to long-term care experts – agrees that what we need is an extra hour of hands-on care per day,” said Hampton.

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.