Horwath's Northern platform aims to fix doctor shortage, overdose crisis

The Northern platform launched by NDP Leader Andrea Horwath, targets doctor shortages, mental health and addictions issues, transportation issues, and more, states a release issued today.

Under Horwath's plan, the party says it will hire 300 doctors to fill gaps in care across northern Ontario, and have the ongoing overdose crisis declared a public health emergency.

For more information, read the news release below:

Andrea Horwath and the NDP are releasing a Northern platform — a plan to make life easier, healthier, and more affordable for folks in Northern Ontario.

“I am so proud of our Northern platform and the steps it will take to fix what really matters here in the Sault,” said Michele McCleave-Kennedy, NDP candidate for Sault Ste. Marie. “Our doctor shortage, mental health and addictions issues, and skyrocketing cost of living are just some of the struggles we experience here that our Northern platform addresses.”

Created by and for those living in northern Ontario, the NDP’s Northern platform offers a clear path to ensuring our home is where the next generation will want to stay to raise their families.

Under Horwath’s plan:

• Ontario will hire 300 doctors in northern Ontario, including 100 specialists and 40 mental health practitioners. Northerners will have less highway medicine and will get mental health care with their health card, not their credit card.

• A Northern Health Travel Grant Guarantee will ensure northerners never have to wait longer than 14 days to be paid back for health travel.

• The overdose crisis will be declared a public health emergency, and additional supervised consumption sites will be expedited. The NDP will also invest in treatment, including detox and rehab beds.

• Northern communities will get more training and job opportunities in the trades, mining, and film and television sectors. Ontario will open community-run employment and training centres.

• Instead of Doug Ford’s cut to Canadian content rules for transit projects, more busses, trains and streetcars will be built in Northern Ontario.

• High-Speed internet will be available province-wide by 2025.

• The Northlander will be fully restored and connect with the Polar Express in Cochrane.

• And more.

“For the last four years, Ross Romano has stood by and watched as more and more funding has been cut from the services we desperately need here,” said McCleave-Kennedy. “We need a strong voice that will stand up for Sault Ste. Marie. Instead of more cuts, let’s invest in the North – in Northern affordability, Northern health care, and the North’s future.”