The city of Belleville is demanding that the provincial government stop the run of health care cuts.
The motion, introduced by Councillor Pat Culhane this week, calls on the government to halt the closures, mergers of and cuts to local health care services including public health services, public health units, land ambulance services and long term care.
Culhane tells Quinte News many people assume the elderly can go to Hastings Manor when they can no longer look after themselves.
The motion states, in part: “…there is no evidence to support the proposed closure of 25 out of 35 local public health units, the closure of 12 of 22 local ambulance dispatch centres, and the closure of 49 out of 59 local ambulance services.”
Culhane told council President of the Quinte Labour council Marg Burgoyne was also active in helping her prepare the motion.
Referring to the cuts, Councillor Sean Kelly, a member of the Hastings Prince Edward Health Unit board, said “It’s almost embarrassing what’s happening.”
He pointed to the appointment of the county CAO Jim Pine as a consultant working on the government’s review of the cuts to the services.
Council approved Culhane’s motion and decided to send it along to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario as well as Premier Doug Ford.
