Healthcare is something Doug Mactavish is outwardly passionate about.
And as the Liberal candidate for Elgin-Middlesex-London in Feb. 27 provincial election, Mactavish warns that the province is staring down a healthcare crisis.
He points out, “Across Ontario, we have 2.1 million people who do not have a family doctor.
Mactavish continues, “We need to train at least 3,600 new doctors.”
Mactavish stresses it’s time to get back to every single person in the province having a family doctor.
He adds, “We need to incentivize current doctors to stay in the system while we train the new doctors. We’re going to need two new medical colleges created so we have students in seats. That’s our Number 1 priority.”
As a senior, Mactavish is passionate about issues like nursing homes and the staffing of those facilities.
A particular sore spot for Mactavish is the province’s Bill 7, More Beds, Better Care Act 2022.
MacTavish, the province’s education system needs a cash infusion.
And not just for new buildings, but to be directed into classrooms. He says try and find a teacher’s assistant in a typical classroom today.
Mactavish adds teachers are tired, they are underpaid and in some cases face violent outbursts from students with emotional problems.
With the rapid population growth in St. Thomas, there is increasing dialogue about what to do with the existing hospital.
For MacTavish, the need for a new facility is a no-brainer.
But that doesn’t mean you necessarily have to demolish the original structure.
And with that rapid growth, says McTavish, there is a need to address housing issues.
“We need houses. I commend what was done with the tiny homes (Project Tiny Hope in St. Thomas).
“That was creative thinking, and that’s what we need moving forward. We need to develop homes where seniors can downsize, and put up their homes for a new generation.”
Circling back to healthcare, Mactavish is blunt when it comes to family doctors.
If you lack one, challenges Mactavish, then “please get out and vote for me because I’m going to fight to make sure that happens.”
myFM will be profiling all seven candidates running in Elgin-Middlesex-London.
Written by Ian McCallum
