The Kingston Whig-Standard reports this morning that, “About 100 people turned out at City Hall last night to hear (Kingston General Hospital) union representatives and guest speakers, including Council of Canadians chairwoman Maude Barlow, pledge to unravel the 10-year contract. ‘It’s always too soon to give up and it’s not too late to reverse this decision,’ said Barlow.”
“Last month, the KGH board of directors agreed to a 10-year deal with Compass Group. The British-based company, with a food production facility in Mississauga, will provide about 1,200 patient meals a day to KGH which will arrive in Kingston already prepared and packaged. Hospital staff will microwave the dishes on the hospital wards.”
“‘It hands food service to a transnational corporation that’s only out for profits,’ said Barlow. ‘This is a voracious company that’s on the move. It’s more than just a company from Toronto.'”
Other speakers opposing the food deal included Dr. Edward Leyton, Natalie Mehra of the Ontario Health Coalition, and Dianne Dowling, president of local 316 of the National Farmers Union.
“When the floor was opened for questions from the audience, newly elected city councillor Jim Neill reminded everyone that the previous council passed a motion calling on KGH to opt for locally prepared food. ‘Council should pass another motion reinforcing that our support continues,’ said Neill. ‘We need to keep up the fight.’ He urged people to e-mail their councillors and voice their opinions.”
“A second public meeting will be held on Jan. 12.”
The full article can be read at http://www.thewhig.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2892480.
Yesterday’s campaign blog on this can be read at http://canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=5751.
