Car rally to stop in Fort Erie Thursday after Niagara Health cuts 98 jobs

A regionwide car rally will stop at the Douglas Memorial urgent care centre (UCC) on Thursday as union members and supporters protest Niagara Health staffing cuts and push for stable hospital services in Niagara.

The Service Employees International Union is holding the rally on December 18, with a stop planned outside Douglas Memorial at 230 Bertie Street from 10:40 a.m. to 11:20 a.m.

Niagara Health Coalition chair Sue Hotte told Fort Erie Radio the event was prompted by Niagara Health’s decision to cut 98 roles across its hospital system.

“We really want to draw attention to the cuts, because we need all the workers that we can have in our hospitals,” said Hotte.

Niagara Health announced on November 27 it will cut 98 roles to save more than $9 million and reduce a $26 million deficit. In a written statement to Fort Erie Radio, the organization said the plan will not reduce hours or services at any site, including Douglas Memorial, but said it is still too early to know how staffing changes will affect individual locations.

“We continue to struggle to staff UCC shifts with physicians and ask that residents check niagarahealth.on.ca before visiting a UCC,” reads the statement sent by a member of the Niagara Health communications team.

Hotte said most of the roles being eliminated are in support services, including environmental services and dietary work.

“Every single person in the support staff plays an instrumental role in making sure that everybody is safe,” said Hotte.

Hotte works closely with Fort Erie Healthcare SOS and said the rally is another way to inform residents about hospital changes and prompt broader community discussion about access to local care.

Douglas Memorial urgent care has already seen reduced hours this year and is slated to close in 2028 when services are expected to shift to the new South Niagara Hospital in Niagara Falls.

Mayor Wayne Redekop told Fort Erie Radio in October that Douglas Memorial is facing a “crisis situation” during an appearance on the morning show with Brent Jones and Brenda Tyrrell. Town council has been working on a proposal for the Bertie Street site, including options to keep urgent care in town with or without Niagara Health.

“It’s characteristic of Niagara Health that they decide to make changes, but they really don’t consult people,” said Hotte.

The rally will start in St. Catharines and travel to five Niagara Health sites throughout the morning, stopping for roughly 30-40 minutes at each location.

• 1200 Fourth Ave., St. Catharines | 7:30 a.m. to 8:10 a.m.
• 65 Third St., Welland | 8:35 a.m. to 9:15 a.m.
• 260 Sugarloaf St., Port Colborne | 9:30 a.m. to 10:10 a.m.
• 230 Bertie St., Fort Erie | 10:40 a.m. to 11:20 a.m.
• 5546 Portage Rd., Niagara Falls | 11:55 a.m. to 12:35 p.m.

Organizers say brief remarks are planned at the final stop in Niagara Falls, weather permitting.

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