TORONTO — Mike Schreiner made the following statement on the Premier’s failure to meet the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO) 30-day deadline to repeal Bill 124:
“Last week, I rose in the Ontario legislature and called on the Premier to show nurses the respect they deserve and repeal Bill 124 so nurses can negotiate the fair wages they deserve.
This government had 30 days to do the right thing. But once again they failed nurses.
Bill 124 and poor working conditions are driving nurses out of the profession. ICUs are at reduced capacity and surgery backlogs are worsening.
A hospital bed without a nurse to care for the patient is just a piece of furniture.
At a time when the omicron variant is spreading and public health experts are raising concerns, we need to do everything possible to shore up Ontario health care.
Premier, time is up. You had since November 14 to listen and respond to nurses by repealing Bill 124. But you chose empty platitudes instead. Actions speak louder than words. Ontarians need leadership and a Premier that will do the right thing.”