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Shelley Martel
Martel and others will take turns sitting in rocking chairs outside
the provincial building downtown (Sudbury) July 31 to protest
the Eves government planned 15 per cent increase in nursing home
fees for those in semi-private and private accommodation.
Martel will
be joined by husband and NDP leader Howard Hampton, as well as many
seniors upset with the change in nursing home fees.
The protest
will start at 11 am and end Aug. 1, the day the rates officially
go up.
Balloons will
be released at the end of the protest with the message “Rock
the Government, Stop the increase.”
Martel makes
no apology for staging what critics are bound to call a publicity
stunt.
She said other
more mainstream efforts have been made to get the government’s
attention, but the Tories just aren’t listening.
“Our
seniors will not be rocked by these unfair increases,”
said Martel.
“We
will be rocking around the clock to press and demand that the government
rescind this scandalous new user fee on frail, vulnerable seniors
and their families.”
A tent will
be set up on the ground and overnight lightning has been donated
by a business in Martel’s riding.
The MPP has
heard some seniors are refusing to pay the fee increase.
“We
need public pressure to stop the increase,” said Martel.
“These
seniors cannot afford to pay an additional $2,560 a year for their
accommodation. If this were a rental apartment (situation) such
an exorbitant increase would be illegal.”
The MPP noted
some seniors have trouble making ends meet now.
Nursing home
residents, family members, trade unions and concerned citizens are
welcome to participate.
People can
take their turn in a rocking chair, sign petitions and banners or
just offer encouragement to the participants day or night.
The government
has said it is implementing the increase to subsidize long-term
care.
At least two
other rocking chair protests are being held in Ontario including
one in St. Catharines, the riding held by Peter Kormos.
People wishing
to participate or obtain more information can phone 969-3621
source: Northern
Life
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