A local group advocating for improved public healthcare is looking for new members.
Sarnia Lambton Health Coalition Chair Shirley Roebuck said the group currently has around two dozen members, or advocates.
"We'd like to increase that number quite significantly -- more than double, about 100 maybe. I know that is sort of wishful thinking but I hope people will respond."
Roebuck said the coalition currently hosts monthly Zoom meetings, usually in the evening. She said members will also take part in town halls, putting out lawn signs around election time and other campaigns.
"We want to make sure that the public knows what's happening in healthcare, and we want to advocate to the government and to other political parties for positive change."
Roebuck said it would be great if some younger folks would join, along with everyone else in the community.
"People that belong to seniors' organizations, doctors, nurses, PSWs, RPNs, just your neigbour next door -- we'd be happy to have all of you."
Roebuck said this is an extremely important time in our healthcare system. She said she's very concerned about the province's response to COVID-19.
"There's been sort of a wishy-washy response to opening up or restricting movements around. So, this is a very important issue to try to solve this pandemic."
Roebuck said that the Ford Tories have done very little to address chronic, severe staffing shortages in long-term care and hospitals. She also said we've been seeing shortages in healthcare for 25 years and that we can't let the sector become privatized.
For more information on the Sarnia Lambton Health Coalition, click here or call Shirley Roebuck at 226-402-2724.
-With files from Melanie Irwin