Ontario government questioned on Stevenson Memorial Hospital nurse layoffs
The stresses facing Stevenson Memorial Hospital were at the forefront of debate at Queen's Park Tuesday as the official opposition questioned the government's decision to allow the layoffs of over a dozen nurses.
Union leaders say health care workers are burnt out amid consistent shortages throughout the Alliston hospital, but still, 13 registered and practical nurses are set to lose their jobs at the end of the month, drawing the attention of provincial politicians.
NDP leader Marit Styles and interim Liberal leader John Fraser both criticized the move, with Styles questioning the province's decision to let go of nurses when "highway health care is at an all-time high" and Fraser stating that cutting nursing positions "doesn't make sense" given the current nursing shortage in the province.
Health Minister Sylvia Jones defended the move, arguing the hospital officials know best.
"For the member opposite to suggest that she knows better what is happening at Stevenson Memorial more so than the management team, the president and CEO speaks volumes about what she understands about the public health system," Jones added.
Last week, nurses were informed of the layoffs after the Ministry of Health said it was pulling back funding that the hospital used to open up eight beds in January 2021.
The government said the funding was only temporary to help with pandemic pressures.
Premier Doug Ford said they would look into the issue.
"We don't hire nurses. The province doesn't. It's the hospitals that actually hire the nurses, but that seems like quite a bit. We're bringing more nurses on board, and I'll make a phone call and find out where's the justification," he stated.
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
Simcoe-Grey MPP Brian Saunderson said he spoke with the hospital's CEO and backs his decisions. He stressed the funding was a temporary measure, adding the move was not a cut but an expiration.
OPSEU, which represents the laid-off nurses, said the hospital is short-staffed in every department.
The layoffs are set to take effect on March 31, but the nurses will continue to be paid for the next four months because of the collective agreement.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.