November 9, 2020 City Council Meeting – Item 15 Additional Information on Notice of Motion

From: Jim Brophy and Margaret Keith

Sent: Sunday, November 01, 2020 2:27 PM

To: clerks <clerks@citywindsor.ca>

Subject: Notice of Motion (Item 15) on the City Council Agenda for November 9, 2020

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Dear Members of Council,

We are writing with respect to the Notice of Motion (Item 15) on the City Council Agenda for November 9, 2020.

We are both academic researchers and University of Windsor adjunct faculty members. We are focusing our current research on the occupational health concerns of healthcare workers in Ontario. We recently published two studies: one on violence against staff in hospitals and another on violence in long-term care facilities. Later this month we will publish a third study that focuses on the vulnerability of healthcare staff during the pandemic.

These three investigations have sensitized us to the serious problems that are plaguing our healthcare system. Understaffing and underfunding are contributing to a diminished health system that is eroding the confidence of the Ontario public while demoralizing many healthcare staff.

We both support and recognize the need for a new hospital in Windsor but are strongly opposed to the plan to construct a new regional acute care hospital on County Road 42. Building in this location would contribute to urban sprawl at a time when our focus should be on the environmental impacts of such a decision, which seems to be blatantly at odds with the Council’s own Climate Emergency Plan.

We believe that the hospital should be located within the city core where public transportation can accommodate our ageing population and not further destroy precious agricultural lands.

Thank you for your kind consideration.

Sincerely,

James Brophy Ph.D. and Margaret Keith, Ph.D.