24 shots of today's massive protest for Ontario's public health care (PHOTOS)

This afternoon, thousands rallied together to protest Premier Doug Ford’s new health care legislation, and to protect the province’s public health care.

Organized by the Ontario Health Coalition (OHC), the rally took place at Queen’s Park. Over four thousand people said they were interested in attending in advance of the event on Facebook.

See also

• Thousands plan to attend rally to protect Ontario's public health care
• City officials want Ford to reverse $1-billion cuts to Toronto Public Health
• Ford government wants to end OHIP coverage outside of Canada

“The Ford government is proposing massive restructuring to hospitals, long-term care, home care, community care, mental health, etc.,” reads a statement from event organizers.

And a document released on behalf of Ontario’s big-city mayors voices concern over the proposition.

“Big-city mayors from across Ontario are extremely concerned that the Government of Ontario is engaging in downloading by stealth – implementing funding and governance changes to municipalities without any consultation, after cities have already approved our budgets,” reads the statement.

“We call on the Government of Ontario to postpone the implementation of these funding cuts to at least 2020, to allow for proper discussion with municipalities and local residents. We call on the Government of Ontario to be transparent about its intentions and engage with cities before downloading more services,” it says.

“LUMCO mayors have invited Premier Ford and Minister Clark to the next LUMCO meeting. We sincerely wish for them to attend, so that we can sit down together to find a better way forward for all Ontarians,” the statement continues.

The massive crowd was filled with Ontarians from all across the province, who stood together in the heart of the city.

 

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A post shared by CUPE Local 786 (@cupelocal786) on Apr 30, 2019 at 11:49am PDT

 

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…and we’re headed back home after an amazing show of solidarity at Queen’s Park with thanks to ⁦@OntarioHealthC⁩ for taking the lead. #NoCutsToHealthCare #FordNation #PowerofMany pic.twitter.com/oxoPNE9Y34

— Labour Council (Ott) (@Ottawalabour) April 30, 2019

Cuts hurt! Queen’s Park rally to save our public health care today in Toronto. pic.twitter.com/Sr3Z8FX4QT

— Judy P (@judyp63) April 30, 2019

Big #RallyForPublicHealthCare today at Queen’s Park. Ford’s cuts are not popular with patients not workers. #canlab #onpoli #cdnpoli #DougFord pic.twitter.com/Pl4HWaM4Rj

— RankandFile.ca (@rankandfileca) April 30, 2019

I oppose the Ford healthcare legislation that opens the door wider to privatization & cuts funding when we need investments. I’m at the big Queen’s Park rally w/ nurses, healthcare office workers, paramedics & more. Calling On you @RandyPettapiece to safeguard public #healthcare pic.twitter.com/vLAOaOaiYe

— Anne (@AnneInAction) April 30, 2019

Region 3 at Queen’s Park for the Health Care Rally opposing the Ford government’s unmandated cuts to our healthcare. Your President and Steward L Martin are there! #local314 #Nocuts #onpoli pic.twitter.com/PBiu4Ed72L

— Local 314 (@Local314) April 30, 2019

Amazing show of support today at Queen’s Park as people from across the province joined together to stand up for our public health care system.

Let’s keep fighting to keep our health care in our hands. #ONpoli #ONhealth #healthcare #fordcutshurt pic.twitter.com/fQ46C7nqLL

— Rebecca Wagner (@BecLizWag) April 30, 2019

Joined the thousands of nurses, paramedics, patients and citizens who came to Queen’s Park to make their voices heard about Ford’s cuts to health care. #RallyForPublicHealthcare pic.twitter.com/5qeMAhSrkF

— Marie-France Lalonde (@mflalonde) April 30, 2019

Big crowd outside Queen’s Park today, protesting #Ontario govt’s #healthcare plan #ONpoli pic.twitter.com/rlOAFP1iJ6

— Sneh Duggal (@snehduggal) April 30, 2019

Big turnout at the @OntarioHealthC march and mass rally taking place at Queen’s Park #Toronto right now #RallyforPublicHealthCare #onhealth pic.twitter.com/fXIRNh5Pl7

— UHN Research (@UHN_Research) April 30, 2019