Wayne Gates focused on Niagara Health increasing parking rates, while reminding everyone MPPs don't pay to park at Queen's Park
A frustrated Niagara Falls NDP MPP is asking the province to do something about rising parking rates at Niagara Health.
Wayne Gates says it's happening during a staffing crisis. "I've heard directly from front line hospital workers, who are relying on food banks to feed their families. And, I want everyone in this room to understand this... all MPPs, including the Premier, don't have to pay to park to come to work at Queen's Park."
He was not impressed when Health Minister Sylvia Jones told of government investments.
"That's not the answer I wanted to hear. I want to hear you stand up and say that we shouldn't be charging parking fees in the Province of Ontario."
She told him not to micro manage hospitals.
During the supplementary question, Gates spoke of parents visiting their sick kids at hospital everyday. "After 6-years of this government, we're in a severe affordability crisis, and the last thing people in Ontario need are out of pocket costs."
Jones reminded him of what the government did when it first came to power. "That all hospitals ensured that they have, for regular consistent visitors, the option to purchase parking, monthly, weekly."
She added the government is expanding access for diagnostic, community surgical centres.
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