May 30, 2024
Unifor members joined thousands of Ontarians in a united stand against the privatization of health care at rallies organized by the Ontario Health Coalition throughout the province on May 30.
“This is a critical fight for the future of our health care system,” said Samia Hashi, Ontario Regional Director. “We are here to tell the Ford government that privatization is a direct attack on every Ontarian’s right to accessible, quality health care. We will not stand by and watch our public health care system be dismantled and sold off to the highest bidder.”
Hashi joined members at the Toronto rally which began at Nathan Phillips Square before demonstrators made their way to Queen’s Park, where the Ontario Legislature was in session. Unifor organized a massive turnout at the health care rally, with buses filled from all parts of Ontario. The rally featured speakers from various unions, all opposition parties, and numerous health care advocates, demonstrating a unified front against privatization.
“The turnout today is a testament to the strength and unity of Ontarians in defending our public health care.,” said Natalie Mehra, Executive Director of the Ontario Health Coalition. “We are sending a clear message to the government: our health care is not for sale.”
In addition to the central event in Toronto, large regional rallies were held across Ontario. In Northern Ontario, rallies took place in Sault Ste. Marie, Thunder Bay, Dryden, and North Bay. Eastern Ontario saw marches and rallies in Ottawa and Cornwall, further amplifying the call to protect public health care.
“The past year our movement has had successes, both at the bargaining table and in the courtrooms. We have won major victories for health care workers and were successful in repealing Bill 124. These wins make our movement stronger and continues the fight against Doug Ford’s privatization agenda,” said Hashi.
The union remains committed to defending our public health care system, vowing to keep up the pressure on the Ford government to abandon its privatization agenda.
View photos from the rally here.
