Court decision on Bill 124 is a big victory for Ontario’s unionized health care workers
This week’s edition of who is saying what about public health care is compiled by Pat Van Horne.
Court decision on wage restrictive legislation hailed as a victory for unionized workers, Ontario to appeal
“Because of the Act, organized public sector workers, many of whom are women, racialized and/or low-income earners, have lost the ability to negotiate for better compensation or even better work conditions that do not have a monetary value,” stated the Ontario Court of Appeal decision as reported in CBC News, February 12, 2024
“This sham of a bill has severely impacted access to and quality of care for Ontarians since 2019… The trauma inflicted on nurses and health care professionals because of Bill 124 has driven tens of thousands of us out of the health care system and away from the work that we love,” said Ontario Nurses’ Association provincial president Erin Ariss to CBC News, February 12, 2024
Patient privacy at risk with growth of virtual care industry
“All of this is happening because of a business model that sees value in collecting that data and using it in a variety of ways that have little to do with patient care and more to do in building up the assets of that company,” said Matthew Herder, director of the Health Law Institute at Dalhousie University, to CBC News, February 10, 2024
Ottawa and B.C. make $733 million deal for seniors’ health care
“We want to get on to making key improvements in the health-care system, especially in this period as we’ve lived through the COVID-19 pandemic, which so affected seniors’ care and the lives of seniors in B.C. and everywhere in Canada,” said at a press conference. . .This agreement today reflects that changing society,” said B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix, to Global News, February 12, 2024
Ottawa doctor has some ideas for health care
“I have been a family doctor in Ontario for 30 years and I fear that those who can improve things (political decision-makers) are paralyzed. So here are three simple solutions to improve the situation,” said Dr. Alykhan Abdulla, a comprehensive family doctor in Manotick, board director of the College of Family Physicians of Canada and director of Longitudinal Leadership Curriculum in the University of Ottawa’s Undergraduate Medical Education, to Ottawa Citizen, February 9, 2024
Ontario town still waiting for a provincial promise on long-term care to be kept
“Today there are some long-term care patients accommodated at the hospital using up about half the hospital beds, so there are fewer beds for acute care . . .In most cases, they end their days in hospital. . .“I have listened to many political candidates over the years and somehow it seems to me that I am skeptical of promises from all of them,” said 85-year-old Dianna Ayotte, who doesn’t think she’ll still be around when Sioux Lookout, Ontario is finally given a new long-term care home, to Global News, February 9, 2024
First Nations youth want better health care now
“We have more kids dying by suicide than going to and graduating high school, or going off to college or doing any normal things that a youth would do. . .Instead, we are subject to loss of culture, to intergenerational trauma and to unstable social environments in our communities, which all affect our youth mental health . . . We need better accessibility to mental health resources, not nursing stations that’ll just make you sign a form saying that you won’t commit suicide,” said Siigwan Mckay, 16, of Bearskin Lake First Nation, to delegates about the youth suicide crisis in First Nations in Northern Ontario, CBC News, February 9, 2024
Fixing health care will take time, says federal health minister, nurses say get on with it
“For the nurse working at 2 a.m., other than a lot of talk, nothing has changed . . . I can understand where the ministers are coming from, but it’s not going fast enough,” said Linda Silas, president Canadian Federation of Nurses, to CTV News, February 7, 2024
Nova Scotia purchase of unfinished hotel for patient care facility a ‘highly unusual transaction’
“The Province entered into a significant purchase arrangement without a comprehensive understanding of the building’s suitability for conversion or the associated costs,” the report says. “This has contributed to project timeline delays, issues with code compliance, unforeseen costs, and changes to the patient profile,” said Nova Scotia Auditor General Kim Adair, to CBC News, February 13, 2024
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Feature photo: Sharleen Stewart, president of SEIU Healthcare, at a rally calling for a repeal of Bill 124. Photo from SEIU Healthcare.
