Blais Calls for Immediate Health Care Investment to Stabilize Hospitals and Protect Patient Care

Stephen Blais, MPP for Orléans, is calling on the Ford government to immediately invest $1 billion from Ontario’s contingency fund to help stabilize hospitals, reduce pressure on urgent care, and protect patient care across the province.

The call follows the latest report from Ontario’s Financial Accountability Office, which warned that Ontario is facing a projected $10.7 billion health sector funding shortfall by 2027–28. The FAO also noted that health spending is expected to grow at a much faster rate than the government has budgeted for, creating serious risks for hospitals, emergency departments, surgeries, diagnostics and other essential health services.

“Families in Orléans and across Ontario need to know that when they need care, the system will be there for them,” said Blais. “Hospitals are under enormous pressure, emergency rooms are stretched, and too many patients are waiting too long for the care they need. The government has a responsibility to act now.”

Ontario Liberals have called for an immediate $1 billion investment to stabilize hospitals, protect patient care, and address urgent pressures in the health care system. The proposal would use available contingency funding to respond to the growing health care crisis before it leads to longer emergency room waits, further service reductions, delayed surgeries and fewer staffed beds.

Blais said the situation requires urgent action, not more delay.

“Ontario cannot afford to wait until the crisis gets worse,” said Blais. “This is about making sure people can get care close to home, when they need it. The Ford government must stop pretending everything is fine and make the investments necessary to protect our public health care system.”

The Financial Accountability Office has also reported that Ontario has the second-lowest health care spending per person in Canada, underscoring the need for immediate and targeted investment in front-line care.

Blais said he will continue pressing the government to address health care pressures in Orléans, Ottawa and communities across Ontario.