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Over 250 people in Midland, Ont., marched on Friday, July 24, under sunny skies to protect local health services and keep the Huronia District Hospital secular.
The community was shocked recently with the news that their hospital board had voted to merge with nearby Catholic-run Penetanguishene General Hospital, with the merged hospitals to be run as a Catholic institution.
Reproductive health services such as abortion, and other health services such as sexual health counseling and end-of-life services, would be at risk in such a merger. Four board members resigned in protest they’ve become local heroes in a community resolved to defend their health care rights.
Led by CUPE 3157 President and Midland Health Coalition Co-chair Debby Mink, the protesters gathered at a nearby mall and marched to the hospital. They sent a clear message to the hospital board and to health minister George Smitherman: keep Huronia secular!
The march and rally follows a massive town hall meeting the week before. It was the largest town hall meeting in recent Midland history, with many coming from neighbouring Penetanguishene to show their support. Both communities’ residents are opposed to the roll-back of services. There is no animosity towards the Catholic hospital.
Friday’s rally included local speakers from a range of groups, including the town’s mayor. Protesters signed a giant postcard to health minister George Smitherman, urging him to veto the merger should it proceed. Local media coverage was huge, as the story has become the town’s hottest issue. The campaign continues, with a massive petition drive and next steps being mapped out as the Oct. 10 provincial election looms.
The provincial Liberal government is facing several health care uprisings in smaller and rural communities. Residents are grappling with the loss of services as restructuring threatens to rationalize services in the new regime of the LHIN, the local health integration network.
Huronia hospital board chairperson Ron Crane told Midland Town Council on July 23 that the impetus for this unpopular merger came first from the provincial ministry of health. An unnamed bureaucrat told Mr, Crane that Huronia must merge with Penetanguishene if it wanted to take control of a local mental health clinic. The merger would strengthen the local LHIN for further health services restructuring, leading many to wonder whether smaller and rural communities’ services are safe under the LHINs restructuring.
