With two days to go before election, McCleave-Kennedy speaks of NDP healthcare policy

Sault NDP candidate Michele McCleave-Kennedy held a media conference Tuesday morning outside Sault Area Hospital to raise her party’s concerns about Progressive Conservative leader Doug Ford’s talk of major cuts to Ontario’s health and education system as Thursday’s general election approaches.

“Doug Ford has repeatedly talked about the cuts he plans on making in Sault Ste. Marie. He has talked about $6 billion in cuts across Ontario and that equates to four per cent of our public sector budget we have for hospitals and schools.”

“Sault Ste. Marie can’t afford those cuts,” McCleave-Kennedy said.

“Sault Ste. Marie’s families depend on good paying jobs, (such as) public sector jobs, and people are concerned where those (Ford’s) cuts are going to come from.”

McCleave-Kennedy criticized Ford for not clearly outlining his platform for Ontario, saying “we have started piecing together part of his budget and part of his plans and it looks as if public sector jobs are going to be what he’s trying to cut. We can’t afford to lose good nursing and education jobs.”

McCleave-Kennedy said the NDP northern platform allows for spending in hospitals and education for Sault Ste. Marie, to keep public sector jobs and lower hydro prices.

“The NDP plans on putting funding back into hospitals, 5.3 per cent back into the funding every year,” McCleave-Kennedy said.

The NDP candidate said her party’s funding promises will be carried out through “asking corporations and the wealthiest to pay their fair share,” adding the NDP’s platform is fully costed.

McCleave-Kennedy denied corporate taxes “will not put jobs in jeopardy. We have a plan to invest in the economy and invest in new jobs.”

McCleave-Kennedy said “our plan is costed to have more nurses and front line staff back in our hospitals, reducing wait times and investing in long term care and senior care, and our pharmacare and dental care program will certainly alleviate some of the costs and some of the time that’s spent on people going for dental things at the hospital.”

McCleave-Kennedy said “I’m very excited about this (the June 7 election). It’s been interesting, I’ve met some very interesting people in Sault Ste. Marie, heard stories from around our community,” adding she is anticipating victory in Thursday’s vote.