Thousands of healthcare workers from across Ontario braved the cold, wind and rain at Queen's Park on Tuesday to rally against feared cuts and privatization by the Doug Ford conservatives.
Local Ontario Health Coalition President Shirley Roebuck said numerous cuts have been made over the past 25 years.
She said the system won't allow for any more without sacrificing services.
"[Ford] announced during his campaign that he wanted to cut $60 billion from public programs," said Roebuck. "He has already cut back on OHIP Plus which fully funded medication for anyone under the age of 25. Just ask a parent of a kid who is chronically ill what that meant to them."
The NDP said the conservatives have cut $10 million from flu surge funding and $330 million per year from mental health supports and services.
The NDP claim a new "realignment" of health care programs threatens to bring even more cuts and layoffs.
Roebuck pointed to the US and Britain as examples of failing health care systems that don't benefit the public.
She said Tuesday's rally is only the beginning in the fight to maintain services.
She said she is hopeful the government will take notice of the protests and rethink any future cuts.
