Wednesday, February 15, 2023
In a pre-budget submission to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs, AMAPCEO advocated for respect for and investment in public services, especially public health care.
The union made the following four recommendations:
- End the Bill 124 appeal
- Keep health care public
- Guarantee paid sick days
- Curtail use of consultants, and improve transparency
The union began its submission by reiterating its firm belief in the correctness of the Superior Court’s decision to strike down the unconstitutional wage-restraining legislation Bill 124. AMAPCEO urged the government to show respect to the hundreds of thousands of affected public service employees—and save the citizens of Ontario the unnecessary legal costs—and drop its planned appeal of the court’s decision.
AMAPCEO also cautioned the government against its plan to expand the number of medical procedures performed at privately-run clinics, warning that this new health care delivery scheme is a significant step toward further privatization of health care. AMAPCEO recommended that the government instead seek public sector solutions—such as not-for-profit “community surgery centres”—to the province’s health care problems.
AMAPCEO also recommended legislating 10 guaranteed paid sick days for all workers, which is not only the right thing to do, but would help support public health and relieve our health care system by reducing the spread of illness at work.
Finally, the union emphasized the importance of investing in a skilled, experienced public service, rather than relying on overpaid consultants. AMAPCEO recommended that the government bring spending on private consultants under control and improve transparency by requiring a disclosure of all government contracts of $10,000 or more.