Don’t cut OSAP

Dear Editor:

Premier Doug Ford has just cut the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) from 85 to 25%.

It takes 10 to 15 years in school in Ontario to become a licensed doctor. We desperately need doctors in Ontario.  Why do we not  want to support our young men and women who aspire to be doctors, and want to serve in medicine? 

Many have lived their whole lives in a community only wishing to be of service in medicine and often to that very community.

Is it only for the very rich to proceed to become doctors? Why not give some financial incentives for students to go into medicine instead of cutting OSAP and increasing tuition at the same time.

We should be trying financially to help our future doctors  to enter and to stay in school and to train to look after Ontario residents. It makes no sense to cut back their OSAP.

There are 2.5 million Ontarians without a doctor. We need health care professionals and doctors desperately.

Doug Ford, you say you don’t want to support basket weaving; my question to you is do you want to support training doctors? Students  in bio med? Students who wish to serve in medicine? Students in medical school? Students who will eventually save lives and care for people?

If you help these students financially, I promise you will help every Ontarian, as every single person eventually needs a  doctor – even  your family.

Don’t cut. Step up and support this field of study!

Brenda Chamberlain,
Elora