Hospitals across the province are being forced to cut jobs to pay for increasing hydro bills says Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli.
See: Hospital to cut another 30-40 jobs
“The Wynne Liberals have created a hydro crisis in Ontario where our hydro bills are the fastest rising in North America. This is hurting hospitals across Ontario,” said Fedeli. “But, the Wynne Liberals’ expensive hydro band-aid does absolutely nothing to reduce the cost of electricity for hospitals. Electricity bills are going to continue to soar and nurses and front-line staff will be let go.”
Fedeli's comments come in response to news that the North Bay Regional Hospital is cutting 30-40 more staff members, partly because of increased energy costs. The hospital doesn’t qualify for the new hydro rebate.
It will bring to almost 400, the number of lost jobs at the facility in the past few years.
“Our hospitals are being forced to do more with less. For years they’ve been forced to deal with Wynne Liberal cuts and now they’re being forced to pay for Wynne Liberal mismanagement of the electricity sector,” added Fedeli. “Hospitals are going to be faced with no other option but to cut staff as electricity rates continue to soar. These cuts will be Premier Kathleen Wynne’s legacy.”
Fedeli gives these examples of other northern hospitals.
- The Sault Area Hospital’s electricity bills have increased by $800,000 or 45% over a four year period. In 2015, the Sault Area Hospital was forced to cut 35 positions.
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The Timmins and District Hospital is expecting to pay $1.2 million on hydro this year. Five years ago the hospital was paying $825,000 a year on hydro. This represents an increase of $375,000 a year. In 2014, the Timmins and District Hospital was forced to cut 40 jobs.
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·The Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) in Barrie is expecting a $200,000 increase in their energy bill. RVH has been forced to cut staff positions a number of times over the last couple of years, including the elimination of 56 full-time positions in 2016.
"Energy rates will keep rising in Ontario because the Wynne Liberals are dedicated to signing more expensive wind and solar power contracts despite a surplus energy problem we are facing in our province," adds Fedeli. "In fact, the Liberals accepted over 1,100 new applications this month for more expensive wind and solar power projects. It's having a devastating impact on all Ontarians, including our hospitals."
Fedeli promises the Ontario PCs will immediately put a stop to the signing of more contracts.
