So, How Was Your Week?
Members’ Statements
May 31, 2004

Last week was Constituency Week and as a result, I had the opportunity to speak with a great number of people in my riding.

Well, I have to say, Mr. Speaker, people were very clear about how they felt in regard to the recent provincial budget.

My constituency office was inundated with walk-in traffic, protest letters and phone calls by people who couldn’t believe this government is asking them to pay more for less service in health care.

Then, last Wednesday, I attended a protest rally in the riding about the de-listing of OHIP services.

Mr. Speaker, I have to say my riding is not the type to hold rallies, but they think health care is the most important service government controls.

That’s why I am shocked this government would attack it in the way they have and the people in my riding were shocked too.

They were shocked the government would think they could accept taking away needed services yet ask for more money.

They were shocked the government made the decision physiotherapy, chiropractic services and eye examinations were not essential services.

And they were shocked the government didn’t think about how the de-listing of essential health care services would effect the daily lives of real people like them before it grabbed for the money.

Mr. Speaker, the people of my riding are shocked a government who constantly spouts rhetoric on preventative, not crisis, health care would now make it harder, if not impossible, for people to access these services; that the government who promised not to raise taxes would so blatantly raise taxes.

And it has made them very angry.

If this is how I experienced Constituency Week—I wonder how it went for my colleagues across the floor.

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