TORONTO, Sept. 22 /CNW/ - Health care workers in Toronto will stage a
sidewalk circus on Tuesday, September 23 to underscore the fact that cuts to
health care funding and services have become a circus under the McGuinty
government's restructuring plan.
The event, which will feature stilt walking, mimes, juggling and unicyles
on University Avenue near College, comes as local health coalitions and
residents in communities across Ontario prepare for massive "Listen UP!
McGuinty" public health care rallies this Saturday.
Both the circus and the rallies slated for Saturday, September 27th are
in response to the havoc being wrought by the McGuinty government's health
care restructuring plan, which includes unelected bodies such as the Local
Health Integration Networks, cutting and privatizing hospital services,
spending too much on money-losing private-public partnerships schemes, and
downloading services such as eye surgery and physiotherapy to for-profit
clinics.
The Toronto circus is being staged by Toronto hospital workers, who are
members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Ontario Public
Service Employees Union (OPSEU), Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and
the Ontario Nurses Association (ONA).WHO: Cathy Carrol, SEIU Local 1 Canada
Rick Janson, OPSEU
Andy Summers, ONA
Natalie Mehra, Ontario Health Coalition
WHAT: Sidewalk Circus to Support Public Health Care
WHEN: Tuesday, September 23, from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
WHERE: On the sidewalk along University Avenue near College Street
For further information: Media Contact: Barry Smith, Communications,
SEIU Local 1 Canada, (416) 528-9116
