The union representing Ontario nurses says the province’s plan to perform more surgeries at private clinics will affect upcoming contract negotiations.
Bernie Robinson, the interim president of the Ontario Nurses’ Association, says hospitals will have to offer more to entice professionals to stay.
Premier Doug Ford announced this week that Ontario will do more procedures such as cataract, hip and knee surgeries outside of hospitals to reduce wait lists and ease pressures on the health-care system.
Critics warn the move will cause further staffing crunches if workers choose to work at private clinics that offer weekday shifts instead of the overnight and weekend work hours that are common for hospitals.