Nickel Belt MPP France Gélinas attended a pre-budget consultation in Sudbury on Tuesday, Jan. 16 and spoke up about her concern that another Liberal budget could mean more disappointment for residents of the Nickel City.
Gelinas was joined by NDP finance critic John Vanthof, who highlighted issues with overcrowded hospitals and sky-high hydro bills.
“Kathleen Wynne just keeps disappointing the people of Sudbury," said Vanthof.
"She's not focused on the issues and services that matter to them, and with a new budget coming, people here – and across the province – are worried that she won’t tackle the issues that matter most to them, and can’t be trusted to follow through on any election-year promises anyway.”
Gélinas went on to say that Health Sciences North has been operating over capacity for years, and that Sudbury families are paying th the price waiting in the ER for a hospital bed.
"This year, the hospital has been operating as many as 43 ‘unconventional’ beds every day,” said Gélinas.
“Children and youth in Sudbury are still struggling to access the mental health services that they need to thrive. And then are the hydro bills, that are squeezing families every month, and set to go up again after the election. Families and the services they count on being squeezed.”
The NDP MPPs say Kathleen Wynne has had years to fix these issues, but only made them worse – leaving people to ask why they should trust her this time, with the 2018 budget.
“People in Sudbury know what a great place it can be to live, and raise a family, but they need a premier that supports them. That's not Kathleen Wynne, so now they are asking what comes next for Ontario," said Vanthof.
"They are asking themselves, 'who can we trust to write a budget that works for people – and who can we trust to focus on what matters most?’”
Gélinas believes that Ontarians deserve more from their premier and that Andrea Horwath will work to make life better for Ontario families.
“With Andrea Horwath and the NDP, Ontarians see a plan that offers hope. And a leader they can count on,” said Gélinas.
