News Releases    

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 30, 2003

Ambulance costs to skyrocket, OPSEU warns

TORONTO - Ontario municipalities will soon face skyrocketing costs for ambulances and ambulance equipment, the Ontario Public Service Employees Union says.

The warning comes as the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care prepares to close its Fleet and Equipment Services (FES) section. Staff at the Etobicoke facility expect to be laid off before Election Day, Oct. 2.

“Fleet and Equipment Services provides ambulances and equipment at the lowest possible cost to taxpayers and provides invaluable technical expertise to EMS directors in all 50 upper-tier municipalities,” said OPSEU president Leah Casselman. “The only people who will benefit from this closure are the Tory bagmen who sell medical equipment at inflated prices.”

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario has argued that Fleet and Equipment Services should remain open.

“FES is a prime example of a modern, efficient public service that protects public safety and saves taxpayers money,” Casselman said. “This facility sells medical equipment at 10 to 50 per cent less than private companies do, and its existence keeps a lid on the prices companies can charge. If it closes, those prices can only spiral upward.”

Casselman called on Health Minister Tony Clement to put the closure on hold until the next government is sworn in. She also called on Ontario Liberals to commit to keeping the facility open if they form the next government.

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For more information:

Randy Robinson (416) 788-9134 (cell); (416) 448-7441

Click here for a Fleet and Equipment Services backgrounder.