Ford's throne speech says medical staff can do more

To relieve pressure on Ontario's health system There is more that can be done, Prime Minister Doug Ford admitted in his speech to the throne Tuesday, but offered no new solutions to the problems that led to the temporary closure of emergency rooms statewide.

Lieutenant Elizabeth Dowswell delivers Ford's Address from the throne to mark the opening of a new legislative session, the Progressive Conservative government will work with stakeholders in the health care system to address the issue.

Ford, who has been prime minister since 2018, said in a speech that he would add thousands of hospital beds and nurses, and expand home and community health care. and touting what he has already done in the health sector, including introducing subsidies to attract medical professionals to rural areas. and he is in a remote area, and he plans to build 30,000 new long-term care beds.

"These historic investments have helped sustain the provincial health care system through some of the most challenging times in modern history, but like health care systems across Canada, There is no doubt that we continue to face significant pressures, such as labor shortages, and emergency departments are becoming increasingly stressed,” said Dowdeswell.

“More can be done. Your government is actively engaging with health system partners to identify urgent We will implement all necessary measures to alleviate the immediate pressure while ensuring the province is ready to remain open for business during the surge.”

Ontario's Emergency Department this summer. has been closed for hours or days due to a shortage of nurses, officials and advocates say. Advocates urged Ford to repeal the public sector wage control law it introduced in 2019, saying it was undermining efforts to recruit and retain nurses. Through it, it indicated that it would make long-term investments while tackling “short-term stressors.” For example, the government previously created the Ontario Health Team to integrate care and launched the "Wellness for Mental Health and Addiction Care" plan.

"As the state continues to pursue these reforms, the conventional mindset stifles innovation and sustains a status quo that struggles to meet growing challenges and changing needs. will not be limited to,' said the speech.

"Instead, guided by the best evidence and the success of other jurisdictions, your government will take bold action to put patients and their health first."

63} The Throne Speech also noted that the government would raise disability assistance payments by 5%, as promised during the election, tying future increases to inflation, and added another $225 million directly. offered a new pledge to provide Payments to parents "to help their children catch up."

The remarks began by discussing the global "rising uncertainty" amid COVID-19, high inflation, the war in Ukraine, and particularly the impact on supply chains.

"Unprecedented spending during the pandemic is creating new fiscal challenges here in Ontario and across Canada, and we will continue to exercise prudent economic management in the coming months and years. will be needed," said the speech.

"These pressing financial and economic challenges cannot be underestimated or ignored. They must be faced head-on. And there are no easy solutions."

The speech noted that interest rates were rising in response to high inflation, and that Ontario, like other regions, needed to prepare for a possible short-term economic slowdown.

In his speech, Ford promised to chart a course forward based on economic growth, promising "not painful tax increases or spending cuts."

} “Your government will continue to do what has served our economy so well: reduce bureaucracy, keep taxes low, foster an environment that attracts global capital, and make Ontario competitive. We will make targeted investments to strengthen our competitive advantage," he said.

Key to Ford's agenda, including building highways and other infrastructure, attracting investment in electric vehicle manufacturing, and skilled trade strategies to address labor shortages.

Ford suggested that a so-called strong mayoral bill be introduced that would give greater powers to the leaders of Toronto and Ottawa. suggested that it could help speed up housing construction.

"For city dwellers, these new powers will allow the state to work with local government partners to expand the footprint of transportation-oriented communities, enabling more people to live near public transportation." It is especially important so that we can work, work and play,” said the speech.