February 24th, 2021
February 24th, 2021
QUEEN’S PARK – NDP MPP Teresa Armstrong (London—Fanshawe) has called on the Ford government to provide financial support to the Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU), and public health units across the province, that are keeping communities safe during the pandemic and are now being called upon to lead the vaccination rollout.
“The Middlesex-London Health Unit estimates their budget will grow $7 million more this year than 2020 as a result of the pandemic. The budget increase is due to the payroll nearly doubling since last year to more than $1 million bi-weekly, and added expenses for the vaccine rollout and more,” said Armstrong during question period at the Ontario legislature Wednesday
“MLHU is not alone. Cities and public health units have stepped up to bear the brunt of controlling this pandemic. The Association of Local Public Health Agencies is calling for the province to step up its funding to all local public health units.”
“Will this government commit to financially supporting our hard-working public health units in protecting our communities?,” asked Armstrong.
Details released last week showed the Middlesex-London Health Unit used credit to cover the costs. The unit took out a short-term loan of just over $1-million to cover overtime costs and more. They were able to repay it only after receiving the province’s one-time funding for COVID-19-related expenses.
“Fighting COVID-19 is not a one-time thing. Our public health units deserve to know that they will have all the resources they’ll need to keep our communities safe,” said Armstrong. “Will this government commit to timely, consistent and full financial support for our local public health units so they are not forced to take out loans to do public health work?”