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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday August 31, 2007 - 3 Healthcare worker hopes to make privatization an issue By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Shoppers at Oakville Place Shopping Centre received a strange surprise Tuesday with the arrival of a large replica of the fabled Trojan Horse -- actually some provincial election fare. Fortunately, no invading Greek army popped out of this 15-foot tall creation, which was instead accompanied by a strong message about the importance of preserving the healthcare system. "We're trying to raise public awareness of the dangers of privatization," said Louis Rodrigues, a long-time healthcare worker and member of the Ontario Health Coalition (OHC). "We talk about why we think privatization doesn't work and how it's not going to help shorten the lines or retain doctors. Elections are coming up and we would like people to make this an issue for Oct. 10," he said. Since July 18, starting in Kenora, Rodrigues has been striving to get this message to as many people as he and the Ontario Health Coalition can reach with the Trojan horse, intending to pass through more than 60 communities before its work is done. "I try to do three or four communities a day," said Rodrigues. "I went from Kenora to Red Lake to Fort Frances, Thunder Bay. I've been all over." Once they settle in an area, the OHC uses the attention generated by the giant wooden horse -- which is pulled on a trailer-- to hand out flyers and spread its message about privatization. Although, technically, nonpartisan in nature, the OHC is taking issue with the Progressive Conservatives and, in particular, policies championed by the party's leader John Tory. "The reason the tour got started was because of John Tory. We looked at his policy that he thought there wasn't enough privatization in health care and it scared the hell out of us," said Rodrigues. "We decided we had to do something." A sign on the side of the LIESA KORTMANN / OAKVILLE BEAVER PULLING IN: Louis Rodrigues, a healthcare worker and member of the Ontario Health Coalition, arrives at Oakville Place with his 15-foot Trojan horse replica. "We don't support any type of privatization in health care." Louis Rodrigues, Ontario Health Coalition FALL REGISTRATION September 3, 4, 5 (4-8pm) September 1 (12-4pm) Trojan Horse that reads `Beware of John Tory's Policies' shows the OHC is doing a very vocal `something.' Rodrigues is particularly concerned about what more privatization will do to the doctor shortage that already exists in the small communities of Ontario. He fears small community hospitals and clinics will begin losing doctors to large city hospitals who can pay them more. "How are small communities going to compete with the big urban centres? "Right now we don't have enough nurses or doctors. All privatization is going to do is create two systems competing for the same number of doctors," said Rodrigues. "When it becomes open to the highest bidder that's going to inflate costs, the wait lines aren't going to get any shorter. It's not going to be more acces- sible, it's going to get a lot worse." Despite his obvious concern for Progressive Conservative policies, Rodrigues is not exactly advocating that the people of Ontario turn to the Liberals for all the answers either. "The Liberals have talked about privatization, but they do it at a much slower pace and through the back-door approach," said Rodrigues. "Not that we support that, we don't support any type of privatization in health care." Despite not having a great amount of faith in the Liberals, it is the Conservatives the OHC is concentrating on this election with Rodrigues noting the horse whipping is not nearly over yet. "I'm going to continue for another three weeks or so and when they start their campaign, I'm going to follow them around with that Trojan Horse and, hopefully, get the message out that people should be worried and concerned about this," he said. "It's the destruction of the health care system, that's the Trojan Horse aspect. Privatization would be a false gift to the people of Ontario." Allegro School of Dance Director - Laura Dacyshyn, former dancer with The National Ballet of Canada Ballet . Jazz . Tap . Acro Hip Hop . Adult Classes Competitive & Recreational Dance Please call for more information 905-815-9239 447 Speers Rd., #5, Oakville www.allegrodance.ca