Premier defends government’s commitment to health care

The Premier is defending his government’s healthcare spending.

Members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees rallied at his constituency office in Etobicoke on Monday against what it says is a planned 10% reduction in hospital funding.

Doug Ford says no government is spending more on healthcare than his.

“When I came into office, it was $60 billion. We’re heading over $93 billion,” says Ford.

“On top of that, we’re spending over $60 billion for 50 sites. You either get a new hospital in your area, you’ve seen me announcing one at Niagara and a few other ones, or you’re getting an addition to a hospital.”

Ford also outlined investments in long-term care, the government’s ability to attract and train more doctors and nursing staff.

“We’ve attracted over 20,000 doctors since we’ve been in office, 100,000 nurses, and there are 30,000 nursing students right now in our colleges and universities.”

He also boasts of being the first government in decades to build new medical schools and add more medical seats.