MPP Gates Champions Niagara Solutions for Primary Care Crisis

QUEENS PARK – On Thursday, MPP Wayne Gates is inviting the provincial government to work with experts and act on addressing the primary care crisis affecting families & seniors in Niagara and across the province.

“We have over 2.2 million Ontarians without a family doctor – and this crisis has been created under six years of this government,” said Gates. “In the Niagara Region, we are short 106 family doctors – and in Niagara Falls, we are short 36. Niagara Falls is even now considering paying doctors $100,000 to recruit them – meaning local taxpayers are now on the hook for this government’s mistakes.”

Gates has tabled a motion calling on the Ontario government to address the shortage of physicians practicing family medicine in Ontario by increasing primary care funding, including for allied health professionals; ending the practice of negation; and reducing the administrative burden on doctors.

“We have around a 40% population of seniors in our community who can’t wait years for a solution - they need a doctor today. We have local health care ready with real solutions, right now– but they need a government willing to take action.

“Will the Premier commit to take action now, or does he believe seniors and families don’t deserve a family doctor today?”