Hospital Cuts Must Not Compromise Care

At the same time the Auditor General was confirming Ontario had squandered close to a billion dollars on a new electronic health records system, Lakeridge Health Corporation was reducing 20 to 30 full time staff. The restructuring also means a net reduction of 12 beds.

The provincial government’s squandering of money and resources has implications we see in doctors’ offices, emergency departments and at patient bedsides. To put the eHealth scandal in perspective, $1 billion dollars would be enough to hire about 11,000 nurses in Ontario. A billion dollars spent on direct patient care would purchase new equipment, ease hospital debts, reduce waiting times, and keep emergency departments open.

Lakeridge Health Corporation has announced that its “Regeneration” program will return more nurses to patient care. It is my understanding that there will be no net increase or decrease in beds at the Bowmanville hospital, although five medical beds will be transferred to the special care unit. In Port Perry, there is an increase of five medical beds. I have met with the Chair of Lakeridge Health, Doug Allingham, and President/CEO Kevin Empey. I understand the funding pressures they are facing as the result of a $10 million shortfall. GTA hospitals have struggled for several years to achieve fair funding.

That being said, the cutback in healthcare jobs and the reduction in hospital beds cannot be taken lightly. Keep in mind that Lakeridge Health has already completed previous rounds of cost-cutting. I will continue to listen to the views of the community regarding the restructuring and would appreciate comments from all citizens about impacts that they experience in their healthcare. We must also ensure that restructuring of Ontario’s hospitals does not lead to reduced services at local community hospitals. I am always interested in your views. I may be reached at 905-697-1501 or 1-800-661-2433 and by e-mail at john.otooleco@pc.ola.org.

Auditor General’s Report Confirms eHealth Mess

The Toronto Star headline “eHealth Operation Bled $1 Billion” was confirmed last week by Ontario’s Auditor General. He said Ontario taxpayers have not received value for money from their $1 billion investment in a system that was supposed to provide an electronic health record for every Ontarian. The Auditor General said allegations that eHealth awarded contracts to certain companies without giving other firms a chance to compete were “largely true”, as were allegations of favouritsm in the awarding such contracts. Health Minister David Caplan has been forced to resign. It is clear that the problem rests with an underlying culture of entitlement and a lack of respect for the hard-earned dollars of Ontario taxpayers. Ontario families are working longer and harder, while receiving little from this government. The McGuinty government is wasting hundreds of millions of dollars through secret deals and untendered contracts.

Dalton’s Sales Tax Penalizes Children’s Sports

The 8 per cent sales tax increases scheduled for July 1 of 2010 will mean higher costs for children’s sports programs. The tax will be applied to fees for renting facilities such as ice rinks, baseball diamonds and soccer fields. An average minor hockey association with 600 players would likely see more than an $8,000 increase in additional taxes for ice rentals alone per season. Many minor hockey and figure skating associations, speed skating groups and swimming clubs are among the youth sports groups that will have no choice but to pass the increased costs of the harmonized sales tax on to families. This could mean higher costs for registration and activities such as training clinics. I am currently circulating petitions for minor hockey organizations and other youth sports groups who are looking fort ways to show their opposition to the new tax. By collecting petitions from a wide cross-section of Ontario citizens and reading them in the Ontario Legislature, it may be possible to convince the McGuinty government to stop the HST.  If you would like a copy of the petition, please call or e-mail my Constituency Office. I may be reached at (905) 697-1501 or 1-800-661-2433 and by e-mail at : john.otooleco@pc.ola.org.

Environment Commissioner Seeks Protection
for Activists and Amphibians

Ontario’s Environment Commissioner took aim against so-called SLAPP lawsuits in his annual report to the Ontario Legislature. These lawsuits are sometimes launched against citizen activists who oppose development proposals.  The use of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP) tends to discourage activism among citizens because they fear that they or their organizations could face massive legal bills and possibly awards for damages. Commissioner Gord Miller said Ontario should look into a law that would ban SLAPP lawsuits. The Commissioner’s report also said not enough is known about the loss of topsoil in Ontario. He said we are at risk of losing topsoil at a rate faster than it can be replaced. Mr. Miller also said the loss of frog, salamander, toad and newt populations is a worrisome trend. He said co-ordination among different ministries is required if Ontario is to effectively monitor and study this trend. Stronger protection measures for woodlands were also highlighted in the Commissioner’s report.

e-Bike Approval Extended

Following a three-year pilot project, the Province of Ontario has agreed that e-bikes can share the road with cars, pedestrians and other traffic. An e-bike can be pedaled like a regular bicycle. With the assistance of an electric motor, it can be ridden at a maximum speed of 32 kilometres per hour.

In allowing e-bikes, the province is adding some additional safety requirements. These include a maximum braking distance of nine metres, a maximum weight of 120 kilograms, and a prohibition on modifying the electric motor to allow power-assisted speeds to exceed 32 kilometres per hour. All e-bike riders must be at least 16 years of age, must wear approved bicycle or motorcycle helmets, and must follow the same traffic laws that apply to bicyclists. Riding an e-bike under the age of 16 or without an approved helmet carries fines from $60 to $500. For all other traffic offences, e-bike riders will be subject to the same penalties as bicycles.  Municipalities can determine where e-bikes may be ridden on their streets, bike lanes and trails.