Renfrew County Health Coalition

05/28/2026

We hope you included a session on the county hospital’s efforts to lobby Mr Denault MPP and Premier Ford to stop funding for-profit private corporations. Billions are being spent on private clinics while underfunding public hospitals in Ontario. Not only are staff leaving the system from burn out, but they are being siphoned away to the big cities where the private clinics are. We trust you are speaking up on everyone’s behalf in Renfrew County and the students with aspirations of working in healthcare. In desperation we are asking Billy Denault, MPP to initiate a vote of non-confidence in Premier Ford.

05/28/2026

There are huge economic reasons to keep healthcare publicly funded! Don’t let anyone tell you differently. For one thing, if the jobs go, who is going to be here to raise funds and who is going to keep the industries going who sponsor your fund raising events?

05/28/2026

At Queen’s Park around noon today! Way to go Ontario Health Ontario Health Coalition!
Renfrew County folks can come together this Saturday, May 30, from 1-2:00 at 400 Pembroke St E, across from the DQ and KFC!

05/28/2026

There has been a lot of partisanship around the topic of healthcare. But as you can see from this American doctor’s clip, it only hurts us. Could this partisanship that exists in Renfrew County be what Mr Denault is counting on? Does he believe people working in healthcare will not go public with their challenges while working understaffed? Is that why doctors, hospital administrators and hospital boards will not speak up on our behalf? If you have seen any public information about the effects of private for-profit clinics by these influencers and decision makers would you let us know please.

328.1K likes, 6757 comments. “The Texas surgeon who went viral for challenging UnitedHealthcare is bringing her message to Capitol Hill. Dr. Elizabeth Potter joined hundreds of healthcare workers at the bipartisan "Healthcare is Human" rally, advocating for policies aimed at addressing staffing sh...

05/28/2026

This is one of the most heart wrenching situations for the staff and some of the most vulnerable clients in Renfrew County. Please help us make a difference for them. Send the emails and petitions throughout this site and join this Saturday at 1:00 across from DQ and KFC in Pembroke!


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(Copy and pasted from “What’s Up Arnprior”)

Local 472, representing the workers of Community Living Renfrew County South, are on strike and will be in Arnprior Thursday and Friday.

We have been without a contract for over 2 years. Our employer is trying to make radical changes that undervalues our longest standing employees. We are asking for a 6.5 percent raise, which during COVID was frozen by the Ford government at 1%. Bill 124 has since been deemed unconstitutional.

Many other provincial workers have received this raise but development services workers are not getting the same respect.

We provide support to our communities most vulnerable. We are responsible for all of their daily living needs. We provide all aspects of daily care including bathing, dressing, medication administration, cooking, feeding and cleaning. We assist our clients with all types of appointments. as well as planning and organizing social and community events. Our Day programs are a vital part of the community, delivering meals for Seniors at Home and grocery assistance to Arnprior seniors. It also allows day program clients to participate in local activities such as swimming, bowling and connect with other members of the community.

Staff are often working short, being asked to work 24 hours straight to due to lack of staff retention. Staff are often in overtime working extra shifts to make sure our clients have proper care.

We deserve the support from our employer and the government to continue providing the best support possible to our very beloved clients.

Please show us your support by waving and honking!! The town of Renfrew and its downtown businesses have been so kind and accommodating during our strike action this week.

We look forward to seeing and hearing from you Arnprior. Community Living Workers are Worth Fighting For!!

05/28/2026

Here are powerful words. Read them carefully. Please act to save our legal right to publicly funded healthcare!

05/27/2026

Code Red at the Queensway Hospital. By now you should be seeing the pattern of similar notifications from area hospitals. This is not sustainable! Please send Mr Denault MPP and Premier Ford the message that this needs to be addressed. Privatizing our public healthcare is contributing to the problem. It is a well known fact. Renfrew County residents, please come to the rally Saturday May 30 1-2 at the Service Ontario Plaza. Treat yourself to ice cream at the DQ across the street. KFC and Nick’s are preparing for a crowd. Metro has agreed to allow us to park behind the store. See you there!

**Wait time alert***

We are currently seeing a high volume of patients admitted to hospital and in our Emergency Department, with wait times at 10+ hours for those with lower-acuity issues.

This morning, overall bed occupancy was at 112% in the ED -- 134% in Medicine -- with 39 patients admitted into the ED or unconventional spaces, awaiting a bed on an in-patient unit.

The team is working hard to deliver quality care to every patient who comes through our door.

We know this is frustrating for you and your loved ones. We really appreciate your patience and support.

Our ED is here for you for emergency care, along with many other resources across our community for non-emergent care. Other options include:
- Non-emergency health concern? Contact your family doctor.
- Don’t have a family doctor? Consider a walk-in clinic.
- Urgent medication refills? Call your local pharmacy.
- Mental Health support? Call the Distress Centre of Ottawa at 613-238-3311 or Kids Help Phone
at 1-800-668-6868.

If you are experiencing a life-threatening condition or have a critical injury, please call 911 or go to your nearest Emergency Department.

Thank you for your patience. Thank you for supporting our amazing staff who are working hard to provide every patient with quality care.

05/26/2026

This is what our MP, Cheryl Gallant, would not commit to doing. Nor would she stand up in parliament to request that the Prime Minister enforce the Canada Health Act. We have never known her stay quiet when the opposition is not doing what they should. She did offer to read petitions in parliament if we send them to her. We chose to support the ones already circulating that go directly to the Prime Minister and Minister of Health.

Thank you to Canada’s NDP / Le NPD du Canada leader Avi Lewis and NDP Health Critic MP Gord Johns for Courtenay-Alberni for meeting with Canadian Health Coalition Chairperson Jason MacLean and National Director of Policy and Advocacy Steve Staples yesterday in Ottawa.

We discussed the importance of defending and strengthening Canada's public health care system, protecting the principles of the Canada Health Act, and ensuring Canadians continue to access health care based on need, not the ability to pay.

05/26/2026

Early detection of health problems makes good sense for a better quality of life and managing medical resources. We can all do our part by sharing this information with those without access to this information in our vast rural area and for those without transportation to access it. All youth

Screening saves lives 💙

When colorectal cancer is caught early, 9 out of 10 people can be cured. Screening is a simple way to be proactive and support your long-term health and wellbeing.

For average risk adults (age 50-74), regular colorectal screening is recommended using the FIT test every 2 years. The FIT is a free, safe, painless, at home test that only takes a few minutes and can be mailed to the lab in a pre-paid envelope provided with the test kit.

If you have a family history of colorectal cancer, talk to your doctor or nurse practitioner about when screening is right for you and which test is recommended.

Even more people will soon be eligible: starting July 1, colorectal screening in Ontario will begin at age 45 for average risk adults.

If you are due for screening, talk to your doctor or nurse practitioner about getting a FIT test, or call 811 to arrange for a test if you don’t have a primary care provider.