Today, my colleague MPP West and I wish we were in our ridings so we could join the 900 health care professionals holding a rally at Health Sciences North. You see, Speaker, these workers have been working without a collective agreement since June 2022, two long years ago. Today, May 16, is the long-awaited arbitration date.

We support workers.

I know that there are shortages in 15 different classifications of health care professionals, from respiratory therapists, pathologist assistants, lab technicians, radiation therapists, medical radiation technologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, pharmacy technicians, prosthetic and orthotic technicians, perfusionists—and the list goes on. These shortages cause delays in tests needed for diagnosis, delays in care and treatment plans, and missed care altogether. All these delays lead to extended hospital stays, hospital overcrowding and hallway health care.

The top reasons why health care professionals leave their work are pay and working conditions.

So I sure hope that the arbitration brings them what negotiations were not able to bring: fair wages and good working conditions.

To all of the health care workers out there and allies at the rally today, I value your important work. We wish we could be there with you. I sure hope that after waiting for two years, you get a good collective agreement.

Solidarity.