OPSEU commercials to be broadcast on Hockey Night In Canada

April 9, 2009

CBC will be broadcasting an OPSEU television commercial asking the public to contact their MPP about recent cuts to Ontario hospitals.

Starting April 13, the 30-second commercial will appear on such programs as Hockey Night in Canada, CBC Sports Late-night and CBC Sports Saturday.  The commercial will air for two weeks on CBC stations broadcasting from Toronto and London. These stations can be seen throughout much of south and central Ontario, as well as in most of OPSEU Region 6. Those outside these regions can also view the commercial via satellite television.

Hospitals across Ontario are making significant cuts following this spring’s provincial budget. This is the second year in a row where hospitals have received far less than they need to deliver core health services. About 80 per cent of Ontario hospitals are expected to fall into deficit, leading to the loss of about 5,000 full time equivalent jobs. Cuts to Ontario hospitals will result in longer waits, more crowding, fewer services, more user fees and greater privatization. One third of Ontario’s health spending is already in the private sector, further eroding our Medicare system.