Jan 13, 2014
Health Care Providers Join Growing Calls To Raise Ontario’s Minimum Wage
TORONTO – As the Ontario government gears up for the next provincial budget Health Providers Against Poverty will hold a press conference.
Where: Queens Park Media Studio, Ontario Legislature.
When: Tuesday January 14th at 10.30 a.m.
The news conference will be the latest in a number of public comments by health providers on the impact of low income on health. The Ontario Medical Review recently published a series of articles detailing why poverty is a medical problem. This followed a report last year by the Canadian Medical Association, which concluded poverty is the biggest barrier to good health for Canadians. Almost half a million people, representing 9% of the Ontario’s work force, earn minimum wage that has been frozen at $10.25 for four years.
Health service providers will speak about the impact they see of poverty and low wages on people’s health. Speakers include:
- Dr. Gary Bloch, Health Providers Against Poverty; Physician, St Michael’s Hospital, Toronto
- Axelle Janczur, Executive Director, Access Alliance Community Health Centre, and Lorraine Telford; Registered Nurse, Manager of Clinical Programs at LAMP Community Health Centre, Mississauga. These are two of Ontario’s 75 Community Health Centres, which are mandated to serve vulnerable populations.
During the press conference Axelle Janczur will spotlight new research, which reveals the damaging health impacts on immigrant communities of low wage work.
Photo Opportunity: The speakers will unveil their prescription to the Ontario government for a healthier Ontario.
Health Providers Against Poverty is a province wide alliance of physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, and other health providers committed to addressing poverty as a health issue. On January 14th community groups across Ontario will be calling Premier Wynne and MPPs asking for a $14 minimum wage for a healthy Ontario.
See http://raisetheminimumwage.ca/ for further details on the campaign.
For further information contact:
Jacquie Maund, Association of Ontario Health Centres, jacquie@aohc.org Tel 647-294-5724
On Twitter:
Join us in asking Premier Wynne @Kathleen_Wynne to raise the minimum wage to $14 using the hashtags #14now #raiseminwage #onpoli.
Health Providers Against Poverty 