Over 2,000 joined a march and rallies in Brampton to stop the privatization of the William Osler Hospital. Evidence is mounting that local politicians and their supporters are starting to feel the heat.  The city mayor has expressed public concern because many residents are contacting her about the issue.  The police closed the entire downtown core, keeping city residents far away from any sight of the protest.  Health Minister Tony Clement - a Brampton MPP - tried to downplay the privatization message. And the movement to stop the corporate takeover of the hospital just keeps growing.

A car cavalcade and rally drew hundreds in Ottawa opposing the Royal Ottawa Hospital proposed P3 redevelopment.Frequent media stories, a door-to-door canvass, ongoing events and community outreach are bringing the debate home to Brampton & Ottawa residents.

In the first sixteen towns, over 3,000 people have attended meetings to join the Campaign Against For Profit Healthcare.  The unprecedented response is exciting.  150,000 postcards to Ernie Eves and another 150,000 postcards to Jean Chretien are on their way to the politicians and we keep having to print more! Great media coverage, new coalitions, local actions, letters, and ever-growing community outreach are sparking up the struggle across the province.  Thank you for the spirited contribution of com munity organizations, seniors groups, unions, churches, veterans and concerned citizens.

Sioux Lookout - welcome to the new health coalition formed out of this friendly and invigorating community forum.  Tables on main street and in the local donut shop have yielded hundreds of signers-on in this beautiful northern community.  An action at federal Member of Parliament Bob Nalt office is in the works.

Kenora - another warm welcome to the new health coalition!  Local residents from Kenora will join those from Sioux Lookout at Bob Nalt's office to demand that the federal government take action to stop for-profit healthcare.  A three part series of opinion pieces on for-profit hospitals and healthcare are being published in the Dryden paper and are being distributed across the northwest.
 
Thunder Bay - a sizeable crowd joined us for the forum on a cold night.  Plans are in the works for a local Romanow Watch.

Cornwall - committed community members engaged in a lively discussion and planned to join the protest against for-profit healthcare in Ottawa.

Oshawa - hundreds joined the lively local meeting and took thousands of postcards to be signed and sent in.  Community members are supporting the efforts to build a public non-profit hospital in neighbouring community of Uxbridge rather than the for-profit financing deal proposed earlier this fall.

Kingston - fresh from a meeting and media conference pressuring local liberal MPP John Gerretsen to take a position against for-profit healthcare, the local coalition enjoyed the company of over two hundred at their forum.  Plans are in the works for the Romanow Watch.
 
Peterborough - a huge community meeting was a real boost for all who attended.  Trent University students are planning a follow up teach in, a meeting with the local MPP has been held and more plans are in the works.

Brampton - hundreds of supportive community members at the forum in Brampton have the local mayor feeling the pressure. In addition to the mass rally held after the forum, over 10,000 leaflets have been distributed and  thousands of postcards have been signed all over the community.  Planning for the next phase of the local campaign is underway.
 
Lindsay - in a torrential downpour over 150 local citizens attended a warm and animated forum. Plans are in the works for actions at politicians' offices and for a Romanow Watch.

Cambridge - a huge meeting with lots of questions was a great treat.  Local planning includes the upcoming Romanow Watch.

Windsor - a packed hall made for a lively forum.  A local action at Liberal MPP Sandra Pupatello's office and the Romanow Watch are coming up.

Guelph - over 300 local participants made for an inspiring forum.  Plans are in the works for an action at Brenda Elliot=92s office.  Students, street theatre, and tons of postcards are in the mix too.

Hamilton - a huge forum attended by over 300 spawned some exciting local organizing.  An action is in the works for December 4 at federal MP Shiela Copps' office.

Uxbridge - hundreds of members of this small community came out to learn about what might be in store for them as the local hospital board has announced the latest P3 hospital plan here.  The evening concluded with intensive questioning of the hospital CEO and municipal representatives in attendence.  An upcoming meeting will set out next steps as the community works to get information on the local plans.

Arnprior - an interested crowd and the attendance of the local Alliance Party MP spawned a vigorous debate in this Ottawa-valley community.  Welcome to the newly formed coalition!

Brockville - organizers are thrilled with the over 160 people who came out for the forum.  Upcoming: the Romanow Watch and an MP action.

Ottawa - fresh from their car cavalcade and rally to protest the privatization of the Royal Ottawa Hospital, a supportive crowd joined the campaign forum.  Next steps are in the works as the local coalition continues a lobby of area MPs including an interesting recent meeting with Finance Minister John Manley.

Cross Ontario-Cross Canada Romanow Watch: on the day of the Romanow Report release.  Media should contact their local coalition for details.

Cross Province Post-Romanow MP Actions are being planned for Friday, December 13 at noon.  Contact your local coalition for details.

IMPORTANT GENERAL MEETING
Saturday, January 18 Health Action Assembly
A day-long meeting to be held in Toronto to set strategy post-Romanow and pre-election.  Please mark this date on your calendar. Health Coalition supporters & members from across Ontario are encouraged to attend. Details will be sent next week. Please phone or email to register in advance.