“Whereas the state of health care in Ontario is in crisis, with 2.3 million Ontarians lacking access to a family doctor, emergency room closures across the province, patients being de-rostered and 40% of family doctors considering retirement over the next five years; and
Whereas it has becoming increasingly challenging to attract and retain an adequate healthcare workforce throughout the health sector across Ontario; and
Whereas Ontario municipal governments play an integral role in the health care system through responsibilities in public health, long-term care, paramedicine, and other investments; and
Whereas the percentage of family physicians practicing comprehensive family medicine has declined from 77 in 2008 to 65 percent in 2022; and
Whereas per capita health-care spending in Ontario is the lowest of all provinces in Canada, and
Whereas a robust workforce developed through a provincial, sector-wide health human resources strategy would significantly improve access to health services across the province;
Now Therefore Be It Resolved That the Community Health Committee, having considered the correspondence from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) and the Ontario Medical Association (OMA), recommend that County Council support this correspondence and urge the Province of Ontario to recognize the physician shortage in Northumberland County and Ontario, to fund health care appropriately, and ensure every Ontarian has access to physician care; and
Further Be It Resolved That the Committee Health Committee recommend that County Council direct staff to send a copy of this resolution to key stakeholders, including the Honourable Doug Ford (Premier of Ontario), the Honourable Sylvia Jones (Deputy Premier and Minister of Health), the Honourable Paul Calandra (Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing), the Honourable David Piccini (Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development and MPP for Northumberland - Peterborough South), AMO, OMA, the Ontario Health Team of Northumberland, and Northumberland County’s seven Member Municipalities.”