Provincial pre-budget consultations held in Sudbury
The Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs was in Sudbury on Monday.
Members are travelling to some communities across the province gathering in-person input as part of 2023 pre-budget consultations.
"I think overwhelmingly what we are hearing is the about the needs for healthcare and mental health. Bill 124 and the effect that has had on health care," said Sudbury New Democrat MPP Jamie West.
“And also mental health locally with the opioid challenges that we have.”
It's an opportunity for the public to talk directly to the government about what they want to see in the budget.
“None of them have talked about millions of dollars -- most of the time it's a very small amount of money that would go a long way to solutions that would be right here right now for the people of northern Ontario,” said Nickel Belt New Democrat MPP France Gélinas.
“Giving them access to care, giving them access to mental health and addictions, decreasing the amount of death."
To highlight some of the growing health care needs, the Sudbury District Nurse Practitioner Clinics made a presentation.
"We are fortunate that we have three sites in Sudbury right now but we know that there are currently 3,000 people that don’t have access to care in Sudbury and there are other providers who are going to be retiring soon," said Jennifer Clement, executive director of Sudbury District Nurse Practitioner Clinics.
The Canadian Mental Health Association Sudbury Manitoulin said it has only received a two per cent budget increase in the past decade and said that has had a negative ripple effect on people who need services and staff.
"Health human resource challenges that we have had and that is in recruitment and training qualified staff for our organization," said Patty MacDonald, the CEO of the Canadian Mental Health Association Sudbury Manitoulin.
“Then of course the opioid crisis in Sudbury and in all northern communities.”
The committee will be in Sault Ste. Marie on Tuesday and Timmins on Thursday for more consultations.
For groups or organizations unable to present in person, written submissions will be accepted until Feb. 14.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
2 charged after police find 'concerning and diverse' explosives at Manitoba home
Winnipeg police say they have arrested two people in their 20s after a large amount of explosives were found in a home outside of Winnipeg, Man.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Spain abolishes national bullfighting award in cultural shift
Spain scrapped an annual bullfighting award on Friday, prompting a rebuke from conservatives over a backlash against a centuries-old tradition they see as an art form but which has run into growing concern for animal welfare.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.