Horwath Plays Politics, Gets it Wrong on Physiotherapy

NDP needs to stop politicizing issue and state their position

QUEEN'S PARK, July 24, 2013 /CNW/ - Yesterday the leader of the NDP, Andrea Horwath, tried to drag the Ontario Physiotherapy Association into her cynical political games. Horwath misrepresented the position of the Ontario Physiotherapy Association by alleging that the Association was against the changes to physiotherapy. She tweeted:

Andrea Horwath ‏@andreahorwath
I agree with @OntarioPT, that Liberal physiotherapy cuts will hurt seniors and cost jobs.

The Ontario Physiotherapy Association replied right away to counter Horwath's untrue claims. The OPA confirmed that they are fully supportive of the government's changes:

OPA ‏@OntarioPT
@andreahorwath @OntarioPT supports govt's reforms to increase availability of physiotherapy

The Ontario Physiotherapy Association even included a link to a press release titled: "Ontario Physiotherapy Association Applauds and Supports Minister Matthews' Plan to Reform Public Funding for Physiotherapy" to further emphasize their support.  Andrea Horwath has since deleted the tweet.

"If Andrea Horwath agrees with the Ontario Physiotherapy Association then she agrees with our changes.  The NDP leader refuses to pick a side on this issue or state her position.  It's very disingenuous for the leader of the NDP to purposely ignore the facts and avoid stating the NDP's position on this important issue," said MPP Deb Matthews.  "We are taking direct action to ensure that over 200,000 additional Ontarians - mostly seniors - will have access to high-quality physiotherapy.  This would double the current number of Ontarians who are receiving this care in the community."

SOURCE: Liberal Caucus Service Bureau

416-326-4905