It is with a heavy heart and deep pain that I start this petition today. My father, who had always been our pillar of strength, passed away in March this year at the age of 85. Although he had underlying health issues, the inadequate care he received in his final days was not something he, or anyone, should have to endure. The cold, detached interaction from some of the health care providers we encountered further emphasized the dire need for change in our system.

Our healthcare system is failing those it should serve most faithfully. The most vulnerable people among us, including our elderly and those with chronic illnesses  People are not receiving the compassionate, quality care they deserve. This problem is far from isolated - according to the Commonwealth Fund, Canada ranks second last among 11 high-income countries for healthcare system performance, including quality care, access, efficiency, equity, and healthy lives outcomes.

This is not acceptable. Health care is a human right that should be provided with dignity, empathy, and professionalism. It is an abhorrent failure of our society that our loved ones go through harrowing experiences when they are most in need of comfort and care.

I have sadly realized the lack of care my father was provided is not unique.  Since our health care is a Provincial matter, I sent an email to a number of people, including graphic photos of the raw wounds and horrific rash we found on my father when we brought him home, palliative.   Doug Ford's response was 'sorry for your loss'.  Sylvia Jones, our Minister of Health informed me via email, 'the Ministry of Health does not play a direct role in the governance of management of hospitals'.  Lisa Gretzy, our MPP for Windsor/Essex, has not replied.

How many more people, and their families, need to suffer because our government is not taking steps to fix a very broken health care system?

It's time we demand reforms for our inadequate health care system. We need to ensure that all health care providers and facilities offer compassionate, comprehensive, and effective care to all patients, especially the most vulnerable among us. By signing this petition, you are joining a movement that aims to bring about desperately needed reforms. Together, we need to make this change for our loved ones and for our future.