September 22nd, 2020

Ford’s refusal to fix COVID testing promotes privatization and gouging: NDP

QUEEN’S PARK - Doug Ford is forcing families to pay $400 for a COVID-19 test that should be free and is undermining public medicare, said NDP Deputy Leader Sara Singh during question period Tuesday.

“Families that have been left waiting cold, lonely hours for COVID tests desperately need the Ford government to improve their testing plan for a second wave,” said Singh, MPP for Brampton Centre.

Private for-profit testing is gouging families, and letting those with deep pockets jump the queue, said Singh, who added that experts have been telling the Ford government for months to prepare for the testing needs of a second wave.

“Instead, Doug Ford has allowed testing to fall short of targets, and lines to stretch for hours,” said Singh, leading some companies to offer private testing at $429 per test.

“Will the premier allow people to pay their way to the front of the COVID-testing line, and what does this say about the government’s testing plan that people are being forced to pay $429 to skip the line?

“Doug Ford is telling all families: pay up, or wait.”

Minister Christine Elliott responded to the question, suggesting that the Ford government is fine with the private-for-profit testing.