The NDP says dozens of people in northern Ontario are being forced to cancel appointments with specialists because of delays in government-funded travel grants.
Kenora-Rainy River MPP Howard Hampton says the government is dragging its feet rather than helping northerners who must travel hundreds of kilometres in order to see a specialist.
"There are literally dozens and dozens of families who are being forced to cancel medical specialist appointments in places like Thunder Bay or Winnipeg," says Hampton, "because when they call the northern health travel grant office, the office says, 'No, we're not even going to deal with your application until after 10 weeks.' This puts people in a very difficult position."
Health Minister Deb Matthews says she was unaware of the problem and would look into it.
