
The Canadian Snowbird Association recently fired off a missive to its Ontario members, warning of the provincial government’s plan to cancel coverage for out-of-country medical emergencies.
For thousands of seniors, it was like a kick in the artificial hip. More than half a million Canadians own property in Florida — predominantly Ontario and Quebec seniors who head south every winter to escape the cold. Texas, Arizona and California are also popular destinations, but, for Ontarians, Florida is the overwhelming favourite, and health coverage is one of their perennial concerns.
The snowbird association was understandably concerned, estimating that premiums for private insurance would increase 7.5 per cent as a result. Although provincial coverage was limited, and hardly enough to compensate for the cost of U.S. medical charges, the association noted that out-of-country help is mandated by the Canada Health Act, and every province and territory offers some degree of reimbursement.
Thus seniors joined the growing list of Ontarians upset at the Progressive Conservative government for straying into its backyard as it labours to reduce expenditures and meet its promise to reduce the swollen deficit.
On the same day the snowbird alert went out, reports indicated a program that aimed to plant 50 million trees across the province was being cancelled after reaching just over half its goal. A day later, a union representing legal aid lawyers issued a complaint about the government’s decision to pull $133 million from its budget and bar it from using provincial money for refugee and immigration cases. Two organizations that provide support services to Ontario libraries have had their funding — already meagre — cut in half. And a high school in a Toronto suburb, known for its arts program, told students they’d have to re-select elective classes because a number were being dropped due to changes in schools funding.
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