Stiles’ NDP will fight rising costs for Hamilton families

TORONTO – With just one day before voters go to the polls, Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles joined CUPE 7800 health care workers and OSSTF District 21 education workers at two campaign stops in Hamilton today. She made her final campaign pitch and spoke about protecting workers, defending jobs and fighting rising costs with an NDP government that is on your side.

Stiles was joined by candidates from the Ontario NDP’s strong Hamilton team: Robin Lennox (Hamilton Centre), Kojo Damptey (Hamilton Mountain), Zaigham Butt (Hamilton East – Stoney Creek), and Sandy Shaw (Hamilton West–Ancaster–Dundas).

“In Hamilton, your vote has real power. The power to elect strong New Democrat MPPs who will fight for people and reverse seven years of Doug Ford’s neglect.

Ford’s Conservatives haven’t delivered for Hamilton. Your groceries and bills for the basics are more expensive than ever. Rent keeps climbing. And over 40,000 people have no family doctor. Your vote for the NDP can change all this.

As Premier, with a strong Hamilton team, I will fight rising costs, fix health care and help workers and families in Hamilton get ahead.”

The Ontario NDP’s platform will help fight rising costs in Hamilton, it includes:

• Real rent control to protect tenants and keep costs from climbing.
• Providing a recurring Monthly Grocery Rebate that is based on how much the cost of essential groceries like milk, bread and vegetables have increased under Ford.
• Funding HSR with 50% of operating costs, to make it more reliable, convenient and affordable.
• Work with the steel industry and labour unions, to defend every job while building a more tariff-proof province.
• Hiring family doctors and more nurses with a Family Health Guarantee: Over 40,000 people lack a family doctor or primary care in Niagara.

Background: Ford has left Hamilton behind

• There are 42,732 people without a doctor in Hamilton
• Rent has gone up 33% in Hamilton
• 119 people are treated in hallways at Hamilton Health Sciences
• 38 people are treated in hallways at St Joe's
• $320 million in school repairs are needed in Hamilton
• 36,358 people use Food Banks in Hamilton, up to 46% are children