Public Health Workers

Keeping Ontario healthy and safe

We are Ontario’s unionized public health workers – the frontline of prevention.

We are the inspectors, nurses, epidemiologists, dental professionals, health promoters, nutritionists and others who go to work every day to keep Ontarians safe by preventing illness, injury, and premature death.

Our work often happens behind the scenes, but its impact is felt in every community:

• Clean water
• Safe food
• Vaccines and infection control
• Harm reduction and health promotion
• Stronger, healthier communities

Our work matters because your health matters

Public health at a glance

Ontario’s public health system has been pushed past its breaking point. After decades of underfunding, public health units are struggling to deliver essential programs or keep skilled, dedicated workers.
This upstream crisis in public health is increasing the burden on hospitals and doctors. Preventing illness and injury is far less expensive than treatment, but we’ve seen budgets cut, programs closed, jobs lost, and community health decline.
Municipalities simply can’t fill the gaps.

Prevention works – but only if we fund it.

The best investment in health

Public health delivers one of the highest returns on investment of any government services.

• Every $1 spent on immunizing children with the MMR vaccine saves $16 in healthcare costs
• Every $1 invested in child care seats saves $58 in avoided medical costs
• Every $1 invested in fluoridated drinking water saves $26 in dental costs
• Every $1 invested in tobacco prevention saves $22 in societal costs
• Every $1 spent on mental health promotion and early intervention for children and youth save $2-17 in future costs
• Every $1 spent on early childhood education saves up to $6 in social spending

Investing in public health saves lives and money.

Organizing for a healthier future

CUPE Ontario’s 5,000 members who work in public health call on the Ontario government to:

• Fully fund public health and stop downloading costs onto municipalities
• Invest in the workforce that keeps our communities safe and healthy
• Strengthen prevention because health care starts before people get sick

The Public Health Committee works towards these goals by organizing members, educating the public, and pressuring the government to make legislative and funding decisions based on public health best practices.

Resources

1. OMW lobbying toolkit
2. Public Health Investment leaflet
3. Because Public Health Matters leaflet
4. Public Health Matters PowerPoint for Locals
5. Public Health Matters Powerpoint TEMPLATE
6. Because Public Health Matters Social Media Posts
7. Because Public Health Matters official video
8. Bargaining resources – Public Health Settlements 2020-2026
9. Bargaining resources – Public Health Bargaining Trends

Deputation to Council Info

Make a Deputation to Council

Impact Statement from a Laid Off Worker

The Impact of the Cuts From a CUPE perspective

Recent News

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