Responses from the Electoral Candidates
Responses are arranged according to the date we received them. The first response received in each party appears at the top of that section.
Green Party of Ontario individual candidate responses
Andrew West - candidate for Kanata-Carleton
David Urquhart - candidate for Hamilton Mountain
Cherie Wong - candidate for Ottawa Centre
Deirdre Pike - candidate for Hamilton Centre
Peter Ormond – candidate for Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas
Sanjin Zeco - candidate for Scarborough Centre
Kristen Snider – candidate for Davenport
Jeff Wheeldon – candidate for Northumberland - Peterborough South
Anthony Li – candidate for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex
Mark Vercouteren – candidate for Catham-Kent- Leamington
Bob Jonkman – candidate for Kitchener-Conestoga
Shawn Rizvi – candidate for Etobicoke Centre
Date: May 12, 2018, 2:17pm PDT
Subject: : re: Arthritis Consumer Experts Survey for ON Election 2018 – Arthritis in Ontario
From: Andrew West
Response:
Hi Cheryl.
Thanks for the e-mail. I'm sure you can appreciate that I'm very busy right now but I wanted to quickly say that, as someone that suffers from painful arthritis, I would advocate for the proper resources for arthritis patients. Please pass this message along to the voters of Kanata--Carleton.
Thank you.
Andrew West
www.andrewwest.ca
@greenandrewwest
Date: May 12, 2018, 5:19pm PDT
Subject: : re: Arthritis Consumer Experts Survey for ON Election 2018 – Arthritis in Ontario
From: David Urquhart
Response:
Dear Cheryl Koehn,
Green is a party that is interested in doing politics differently. We are a party whose policy revolves around strong values. Values which are based on the people (not powerful corporations and lobbyists) and the planet that sustains us. Many powerful corporations have used (and continue to use) our air, water and soil as a garbage can. It would seem highly likely that this is a factor in the increase, and expected further increases, of many diseases that affect us. We recognize that because of such a polluted environment, our health care system also ails. Unlike the far-right party, our party has the intention of strengthening healthcare, not cutting it. When I mentioned that we are interested in doing things differently - in healthcare - that would include preventative measures, not just treatment. With arthritis numbers that are expected to grow very rapidly, focusing on the cause (preventative) is likely to be just as helpful as treating it. The education and exercise programs (GLA:D) that you have mentioned, would seem to be logical choices. Our party will also continue to push for a federally funded pharmacare program. In the absence of it, we would extend a provincially funded program to provide all Ontarian's with access to medicine. My knowledge on the subject is limited compared to the Arthritis Consumer Experts and I'm not aware of any other specific policies that our party has regarding arthritis, so I don't have all of the answers that you seek. However, our values are in place; so that we don't "leave anyone behind," and we recognize that arthritis has a very devastating and debilitating effect on many within our province. I hope that this gives you an idea of how Greens can help with an infliction that is devastating to many and expected to grow.
Sincerely,
Dave Urquhart
Hamilton Mountain, GPO Candidate
Date: May 14, 2018, 11:01am PDT
Subject: : re: Arthritis Consumer Experts Survey for ON Election 2018 – Arthritis in Ontario
From: Cherie Wong
Response:
Hi Cheryl,
Thank you so much for writing to us about your concerns. It is fundamental to our democracy that constituents be able to engage with their candidates and elected representatives.
Cherie will be addressing some of the issues we hear from constituents at these debates throughout the election campaign:
- Provincial Election Debate on Gender Issues
- Wednesday, May 16th, 6:30 PM, Bronson Centre (211 Bronson Ave)
- All Candidates Debate
- Thursday, May 17th, 7:00 PM, Glebe Community Centre (175 Third Ave)
- Continuing Care Debate
- Tuesday, May 22nd, 2:00 PM, The Glebe Centre (77 Monk St)
- Teachers Federation Debate
- Thursday, May 24th, 6:00 PM, Adult High School (300 Rochester St)
- All Candidates Debate
- Monday, May 28th, 7:00 PM, St. George’s Parish (415 Piccadilly Ave)
- Community Living Debate
- Tuesday, May 29th, 7:00 PM, Ben Franklin Place (101 Centrepointe Dr)
If you would like to know more about Cherie’s platform, please visitwww.cheriecywong.com
You can also find Cherie on her social media:
Facebook & Twitter
Sincerely,
Campaign to Elect Cherie Wong, Ottawa Centre
Date: May 14, 2018, 1:44pm
Subject: : re: Arthritis Consumer Experts Survey for ON Election 2018 – Arthritis in Ontario
From: Deirdre Pike
Response:
Hi Cheryl:
Thanks for your email. My mom has arthritis (rheumatoid) so for that and many reasons, I will be paying attention to this. I will get back to you with a response soon.
Best,
Deirdre
Date: May 15, 2018, 2:16pm PDT
Subject: : re: Arthritis Consumer Experts Survey for ON Election 2018 – Arthritis in Ontario
From: Joanne Turnell for Peter Ormond
Response:
Cheryl :
Many thanks for your question – The Green Party has released it’s comprehensive platform that really gets down to the details of our plan for the health of our citizens.
The Green Party intends to fully support our Health Care System.
We all have first-hand experience with challenges in our current system, including long wait times in emergency rooms, for specialists and tests, and for appropriate long-term care. Many of us also face the challenge of being unable to find a family doctor or primary care provider.
The Green Party of Ontario believes in a publicly funded health care system accountable to the public, focused on people’s needs.
Our vision seeks to make sure that access to health care is available when you need it, that it supports keeping us in good health, and that public health policy development considers the social determinants of health.
In short, we believe in a people-centred approach to health.
We take a comprehensive view of health care by using smart investments to improve our current system, making health promotion and early intervention a top priority, improving the care available to Ontario’s changing demographics and ensuring sufficient resources are allocated to mental health.
The good news is that there are solutions for the way forward. The real issue is that these solutions require political commitment and thinking that extends beyond the four-year election cycle. This is the type of leadership the Green Party is committed to providing.
The Green Party’s vision is to:
Make dental and pharmacare universally accessible
- Implement a universal dental care program. Dental health is directly linked to an individual’s overall health and an important part of a health promotion strategy.
- Push for a federally funded Pharmacare program, and in the absence of a federal program, extend a provincially funded Pharmacare program to provide all Ontarians with access to medicine.
- Reduce overcrowding in hospitals with a system wide strategy to better use existing resources in home care, long-term care, nurse-led clinics, primary care and community care.
- Develop a health care capacity plan to reopen hospital beds, operating rooms and services based on the population’s need for care.
- Create an integrated funding structure for health care, based on quality outcomes that will ensure that the best care is provided by the most appropriate and cost effective provider.
- Expand the number of and access to Nurse Practitioner led clinics in all parts of the province.
- Increase the number of Nurse Practitioners in long-term care, mental health care and acute care facilities to improve patient care and outcomes.
- Increase funding for Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) that are struggling to fulfill their downloaded mandate from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and provide dedicated funds that ensure enhanced collaboration with various partners, including District Social Services Administration Boards (DSSABs), to enhance the integration and delivery of public services.
- Commit to comprehensive primary health care as the foundation of the health system so that every person in Ontario has timely access to a primary health care provider and to ensure that health promotion, illness prevention and community well-being are at the centre of our health system.
- Provide every Ontarian with electronic access to their personal health records.
- Provide insurance claimants with clear, fair and thorough guidelines on how to proceed with their claims and ensure the accountability of insurers to their clients through an independent and objective regulatory process to ensure fair evaluation, support and compensation for victims of injuries.
- Expand access to multiservice and integrated primary care models such as family health teams, nurse-led clinics, community care centres, and Indigenous health access centres.
- Mandate training for primary health care practitioners on the health care needs of trans and gender-diverse people.
- Support increased midwifery training and birthing centres and ensure accessibility of obstetricians in case of birth complications at birthing centres.
- Expand the number of abortion clinics in Ontario, including in the north. All but one of Ontario’s clinics are situated in the GTA or Ottawa.
- Improve the level of care in residential homes for people with severe disabilities, including increased funding and strict guidelines for proper care, and more vigilant auditing and inspections.
- Support and fund programs for children of all ages with autism.
- Create more meaningful day programs for all levels of special needs individuals after graduating from high school.
- Prioritize health care investment in frontline services rather than administration.
- Ensure all care providers are working at their full scope of practice.
- Provide all health care professionals with mental health and addictions training.
- Designate the Ontario Personal Support Worker Association as the self-governing regulatory body of personal support workers in Ontario, to increase the accountability of those who provide care to vulnerable populations, and to ensure reasonable working conditions for personal support workers.
- Monitor and improve the quality of care in long-term care homes and reduce wait times for elder care.
- Ensure staff of long-term care facilities have proper resources to appropriately address the needs of residents that require complex care such as mental illness and addictions, acquired brain injury, and/or brain disorders including dementia.
- Increase funding for home and community care to provide support for people to live at home longer.
- Invest additional resources to improve the availability of assisted living and transitional living for seniors.
- Provide support for family members who care for an infirm relative full time.
- Develop and fund research into smart home technology to enable us to age in place and stay in our communities.
- Empower Nurse Practitioners as primary health care providers especially in areas that lack primary care options.
- Increase funding for telemedicine, including telepsychiatry, and full-scale Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) teams in rural areas.
- Establish a full list of core services, including specialized health services, that ensure their availability within every Local Health Integration Network (LHIN).
Expand public health services
- Embed the principles of the social determinants of health in our approach to health care: this includes income and social status; food security; social support networks; education; employment/working conditions; social environments; physical environments; personal health practices and coping skills; healthy child development; gender; and culture.
- Develop a Lyme disease strategy for Ontario which coordinates with the Federal Framework on Lyme Disease Act, including an education campaign to raise awareness of Lyme disease, which is on the rise due to climate change.
- Include treatment for Lyme Disease as part of OHIP so people with Lyme do not suffer financial hardship to obtain the health care they need.
- Develop a provincial strategy to support people with chemical and environmental sensitivities to have access to and participate in public spaces, and find accessible and safe housing.
- Implement a school food program to ensure students have access to healthy, local sustainable food.
- Support community food hubs to empower people to grow and make their own food, to improve food literacy and to support community gardens and kitchens.
Date: May 18, 2018 at 10:28:37 AM PDT
Subject: : re: Arthritis Consumer Experts Survey for ON Election 2018 – Arthritis in Ontario
From: Sajin Zeco
Response:
Dear Cheryl,
Thanks for the opportunity to respond to your important questions. Just today, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance – an advocacy group for people with disabilities, rated the Greens platform to be the most comprehensive of all the parties.
“The AODA Alliance’s analysis shows that the Green Party makes the broadest commitments, ... Trailing notably further back are the Liberals...” https://www.aodaalliance.org/whats-new/news-release-major-disability-coalition-unveils-the-parties-2018-election-pledges-on-accessibility-for-1-9-million-ontarians-with-disabilities/
The main pillar of our platform relevant to those who suffer from arthritis is our commitment to push for a Federally funded pharmacare program and in the absence of that to expand provincial pharmacare to cover all Ontarians. Our Vision Green platform provides far more details and can be obtained at https://gpo.ca/vision/ Below I address your specific questions as best I can.
- What will your government do to bring a high quality, standardized evidence-based model of arthritis care for all Ontario residents?
The Greens are committed to evidence based decision making in all aspects of governance – but it is particularly crucial in delivering a comprehensive health care system to all Ontarians. - What will your government do to introduce patient education and exercise programs, such as GLA:D, that have been proven to significantly reduce hip or knee osteoarthritis symptoms?
We are dedicated to increasing the number of nurse practitioners and we strongly support nurse-led community clinics that are the best way to reach people where they live and deliver education and support programs they desperately need. - What will your government do to improve the uptake of biosimilars and increase accessibility to life saving medications and reduce out-of-pocket costs for Ontario residents living with inflammatory arthritis?
Our commitment to a comprehensive pharmacare program for all Ontarians would be built explicitly on the best available evidence for drug and treatment efficacy. Where biosimilars provide the best first-line treatment we would support the adoption of these medications under our pharmacare program. - What will your government do to improve the healthcare and lives of Aboriginals living with arthritis in Ontario?
The Green Party wants to make sure that every person in Ontario has access to the best possible care, when and where they need it. This clearly includes improving services to Indigenous peoples living in more remote regions. We would achieve this by increasing the number of Indigenous health care and education professionals and engage efforts to support retention of these professionals within Indigenous communities. - How will your government establish better prevention programs and facilitate flexible work arrangements to help reduce the direct and indirect costs of arthritis to Ontario employers and the Ontario economy?
The Greens would fully implement the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act by preparing an enforcement plan, allocating resources for enforcement and supporting a public awareness campaign. This Act explicitly supports flexible work arrangements that would improve the opportunities for those living with arthritis to maintain employment. We would also develop and fund research into smart home technology. Not only would this allow people to stay in their homes longer, it would also enable flexible workplace arrangements. - Will your government take steps to increase the number of rheumatologists and arthritis trained allied health professionals to ensure timely, specialized care for Ontario patients with arthritis?
We are also committed to comprehensive primary health care as the foundation of our health care system. Every Ontarian should have timely access to a primary health care provider. We also support health promotion and illness prevention measures as a foundation of a sustainable health care system – as the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Our policies explicitly place community well-being at the core of our health system.
--
Sanjin Zeco (Son-Yin)
Green Party of Ontario | Candidate for Scarborough Centre | bit.ly/voteSanjin
Facebook: fb.me/voteSanjin
Twitter: @SanjinZeco
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sanjinz
Date: May 19, 2018 at 10:15:16 AM PDT
Subject: : re: Arthritis Consumer Experts Survey for ON Election 2018 – Arthritis in Ontario
From: Kirsten Snider
Response:
Cheryl,
Thank You for writing to me about this important issue!
Autoimmune diseases run in my family, including rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. My cousin was diagnosed with RA when he was just 22 years old and it has had a deep impact on this life. Since his diagnosis, he has struggled with the pain and discomfort associated with RA, but also depression from not being able to live and work in the same care-free way as his young friends.
I truly believe the GPO vision for comprehensive health care, with a focus on prevention and overall health is an important step in combating life-long illnesses such as a RA. I believe in better care for all.
Thank you for all your work in the field, and for reaching out to all candidates.
You’ll find the GPO’s relevant policy responses below.
What will your government do to bring a high quality, standardized evidence-based model of arthritis care for all Ontario residents?
The Greens are committed to evidence based decision making in all aspects of governance – but it is particularly crucial in delivering a comprehensive health care system to all Ontarians
What will your government do to introduce patient education and exercise programs, such as GLA:D, that have been proven to significantly reduce hip or knee osteoarthritis symptoms?
Illness prevention is a key aspect of the GPO platform. The longer we can keep people healthy the better health care system we have. The GPO will expand access to multiservice and integrated primary care models and create an integrated funding structure for health care based on quality outcomes that will ensure that the best care is provided by the most appropriate provider. We are dedicated to increasing the number of nurse practitioners and we strongly support nurse-led community clinics that are the best way to reach people where they live and deliver education and support programs they desperately need.
What will your government do to improve the uptake of biosimilars and increase accessibility to life saving medications and reduce out-of- pocket costs for Ontario residents living with inflammatory arthritis?
The Green Party of Ontario is committed to a fully funded Pharmacare program to provide all Ontarians with access to medicine. Additionally, Our commitment to a comprehensive pharmacare program for all Ontarians would be built explicitly on the best available evidence for drug and treatment efficacy. Where biosimilars provide the best first-line treatment we would support the adoption of these medications under our pharmacare program.
What will your government do to improve the healthcare and lives of Aboriginals living with arthritis in Ontario?
Expand access to multiservice and integrated primary care models such as family health teams, nurse-led clinics, community care centres and Indigenous health access centres. Increase the number of Indigenous health care professionals and support their retention within Indigenous communities. Work with Political Territorial Organizations, Tribal Councils and individual communities to flow funds to reserves and to Local Health Integration Networks.
How will your government establish better prevention programs and facilitate flexible work arrangements to help reduce the direct and indirect costs of arthritis to Ontario employers and the Ontario economy?
Commit to comprehensive primary health care as the foundation of the health system so that every person in Ontario has timely access to a primary health care provider and to ensure that health promotion, illness prevention and community well-being are at the centre of our health system. Additionally, The Greens would fully implement the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act by preparing an enforcement plan, allocating resources for enforcement and supporting a public awareness campaign. This Act explicitly supports flexible work arrangements that would improve the opportunities for those living with arthritis to maintain employment. We would also develop and fund research into smart home technology. Not only would this allow people to stay in their homes longer, it would also enable flexible workplace arrangements.
Will your government take steps to increase the number of rheumatologists and arthritis trained allied health professionals to ensure timely, specialized care for Ontario patients with arthritis?
Expand the number of Nurse Practitioner led clinics and increase the number of Nurse Practitioners to improve patient care outcomes. These professionals are broadly trained and would be expected to have expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of arthritis. As I already mentioned, we also see nurse-led community clinics as an excellent way to deliver support and education to local communities where it is needed most.
We are also committed to comprehensive primary health care as the foundation of our health-care system. Every Ontarian should have timely access to a primary health care provider. We also support health promotion and illness prevention measures as a foundation of a sustainable health care system – as the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Our policies explicitly place community well-being at the core of our health system.
Sincerely,
Kirsten Snider,
Provincial Candidate, Davenport
Date: May 21, 2018 at 7:17:26 PM PDT
Subject: : re: Arthritis Consumer Experts Survey for ON Election 2018 – Arthritis in Ontario
From: Jeff Wheeldon
Response:
Hi Cheryl,
Thank you for engaging in our democratic processes!
Sadly, I don't have answers for you. Our platform is not nearly so specific, and while I am conscious of the importance of addressing arthritis (my mother suffers terribly from it), I'm not so acquainted with the existing system that I would feel comfortable suggesting significant changes. One of the roles of an MPP is to engage with those who are most acquainted with important issues and seek their advice in order to better direct government to address them. If I am elected, I hope we will be in touch!
Sincerely,
Jeff Wheeldon
Green Party Candidate
Northumberland - Peterborough South
Date: May 26, 2018 at 1:50:38 PM PDT
Subject: : re: Arthritis Consumer Experts Survey for ON Election 2018 – Arthritis in Ontario
From: Anthony Li
Response:
Hello Ms. Koehn,
Thank you for your time and email. Arthritis has terrible symptoms, and I recognize the lasting effects that it can have on the constituents in Lambton-Kent-Middlesex.
Apologies for the delay - all 6 questions in the ACE survey addressed important issues and thus required more time to answer than other surveys as I wished to ensure our responses were of the utmost quality. It is my pleasure to have my answers to the questions attached in a PDF document.
Thank you once again for your email as well as the work you do for Canadians. Please let me know if you have any other concerns.
Best,
Anthony (Tony) Li
GPO Candidate | Lambton-Kent-Middlesex | Twitter
Medical Sciences and Financial Economics Candidate | Western University
anthonyli@gpo.ca | anthonyliGPO@gmail.com | ali426@uwo.ca
Date: May 28, 2018 at 5:48:21 PM PDT
Subject: : re: Arthritis Consumer Experts Survey for ON Election 2018 – Arthritis in Ontario
From: Mark Vercouteren
Response:
Dear Cheryl:
Thanks for the opportunity to respond to your important questions. Just today, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance – an advocacy group for people with disabilities, rated the Greens platform to be the most comprehensive of all the parties.
“The AODA Alliance’s analysis shows that the Green Party makes the broadest commitments, ... Trailing notably further back are the Liberals...” https://www.aodaalliance.org/whats-new/news-release-major-disability-coalition-unveils-the-parties-2018-election-pledges-on-accessibility-for-1-9-million-ontarians-with-disabilities/
The main pillar of our platform relevant to those who suffer from arthritis is our commitment to push for a Federally funded pharmacare program and in the absence of that to expand provincial pharmacare to cover all Ontarians. Our Vision Green platform provides far more details and can be obtained at https://gpo.ca/vision/ Below I address your specific questions as best I can.
1. What will your government do to bring a high quality, standardized evidence-based model of arthritis care for all Ontario residents?
The Greens are committed to evidence based decision making in all aspects of governance – but it is particularly crucial in delivering a comprehensive health care system to all Ontarians.
2. What will your government do to introduce patient education and exercise programs, such as GLA:D, that have been proven to significantly reduce hip or knee osteoarthritis symptoms?
We are dedicated to increasing the number of nurse practitioners and we strongly support nurse-led community clinics that are the best way to reach people where they live and deliver education and support programs they desperately need.
3. What will your government do to improve the uptake of biosimilars and increase accessibility to life saving medications and reduce out-of-pocket costs for Ontario residents living with inflammatory arthritis?
Our commitment to a comprehensive pharmacare program for all Ontarians would be built explicitly on the best available evidence for drug and treatment efficacy. Where biosimilars provide the best first-line treatment we would support the adoption of these medications under our pharmacare program.
4. What will your government do to improve the healthcare and lives of Aboriginals living with arthritis in Ontario?
The Green Party wants to make sure that every person in Ontario has access to the best possible care, when and where they need it. This clearly includes improving services to Indigenous peoples living in more remote regions. We would achieve this by increasing the number of Indigenous health care and education professionals and engage efforts to support retention of these professionals within Indigenous communities.
5. How will your government establish better prevention programs and facilitate flexible work arrangements to help reduce the direct and indirect costs of arthritis to Ontario employers and the Ontario economy?
The Greens would fully implement the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act by preparing an enforcement plan, allocating resources for enforcement and supporting a public awareness campaign. This Act explicitly supports flexible work arrangements that would improve the opportunities for those living with arthritis to maintain employment. We would also develop and fund research into smart home technology. Not only would this allow people to stay in their homes longer, it would also enable flexible workplace arrangements.
6. Will your government take steps to increase the number of rheumatologists and arthritis trained allied health professionals to ensure timely, specialized care for Ontario patients with arthritis?
We support expansion of Nurse Practitioner and Registered Nurse numbers within the province. These professionals are broadly trained and would be expected to have expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of arthritis. As I already mentioned, we also see nurse-led community clinics as an excellent way to deliver support and education to local communities where it is needed most.
We are also committed to comprehensive primary health care as the foundation of our health care system. Every Ontarian should have timely access to a primary health care provider. We also support health promotion and illness prevention measures as a foundation of a sustainable health care system – as the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Our policies explicitly place community well-being at the core of our health system.
Please let me know if you have any more questions, Thank you.
Mark Vercouteren
Date: June 4, 2018 at 10:31:07 PM PDT
Subject: : re: Arthritis Consumer Experts Survey for ON Election 2018 – Arthritis in Ontario
From: Bob Jonkman
Response:
Thank you for your questionnaire. The questions were researched by the Green Party policy analysts, who have provided these answers.
=====
Arthritis Consumer Experts
Dear Cheryl,
Thanks for the opportunity to respond to your important questions. Just today, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance – an advocacy group for people with disabilities, rated the Greens platform to be the most comprehensive of all the parties.
“The AODA Alliance’s analysis shows that the Green Party makes the broadest commitments, ... Trailing notably further back are the Liberals...” https://www.aodaalliance.org/whats-new/news-release-major-disability-coalition-unveils-the-parties-2018-election-pledges-on-accessibility-for-1-9-million-ontarians-with-disabilities/
The main pillar of our platform relevant to those who suffer from arthritis is our commitment to push for a Federally funded pharmacare program and in the absence of that to expand provincial pharmacare to cover all Ontarians. Our Vision Green platform provides far more details and can be obtained at https://gpo.ca/vision/. Below I address your specific questions as best I can.
- What will your government do to bring a high quality, standardized evidence-based model of arthritis care for all Ontario residents?
The Greens are committed to evidence based decision making in all aspects of governance – but it is particularly crucial in delivering a comprehensive health care system to all Ontarians. - What will your government do to introduce patient education and exercise programs, such as GLA:D, that have been proven to significantly reduce hip or knee osteoarthritis symptoms?
We are dedicated to increasing the number of nurse practitioners and we strongly support nurse-led community clinics that are the best way to reach people where they live and deliver education and support programs they desperately need. - What will your government do to improve the uptake of biosimilars and increase accessibility to life saving medications and reduce out-of-pocket costs for Ontario residents living with inflammatory arthritis?
Our commitment to a comprehensive pharmacare program for all Ontarians would be built explicitly on the best available evidence for drug and treatment efficacy. Where biosimilars provide the best first-line treatment we would support the adoption of these medications under our pharmacare program. - What will your government do to improve the healthcare and lives of Aboriginals living with arthritis in Ontario?
The Green Party wants to make sure that every person in Ontario has access to the best possible care, when and where they need it. This clearly includes improving services to Indigenous peoples living in more remote regions. We would achieve this by increasing the number of Indigenous health care and education professionals and engage efforts to support retention of these professionals within Indigenous communities. - How will your government establish better prevention programs and facilitate flexible work arrangements to help reduce the direct and indirect costs of arthritis to Ontario employers and the Ontario economy?
The Greens would fully implement the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act by preparing an enforcement plan, allocating resources for enforcement and supporting a public awareness campaign. This Act explicitly supports flexible work arrangements that would improve the opportunities for those living with arthritis to maintain employment. We would also develop and fund research into smart home technology. Not only would this allow people to stay in their homes longer, it would also enable flexible workplace arrangements. - Will your government take steps to increase the number of rheumatologists and arthritis trained allied health professionals to ensure timely, specialized care for Ontario patients with arthritis?
We support expansion of Nurse Practitioner and Registered Nurse numbers within the province. These professionals are broadly trained and would be expected to have expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of arthritis. As I already mentioned, we also see nurse-led community clinics as an excellent way to deliver support and education to local communities where it is needed most.
=====
Bob Jonkman
Green Party Candidate in Kitchener--Conestoga
Web: https://bobjonkman.ca/
Twitter: @BobJonkmanGPC
Vote for the person who will best represent you in your riding!
Date: June 5, 2018 at 8:39:14 AM PDT
Subject: : re: Arthritis Consumer Experts Survey for ON Election 2018 – Arthritis in Ontario
From: Shawn Rizvi
Response:
Hi Cheryl,
Thank you to you and your organization for the great advocacy work you continue to do for those who suffer from arthritis in our community. My mother suffers from arthritis and so do many of the fine senior constituents within my riding of Etobicoke Center. We need to do more, and I am committed to this cause.
As the Green Party Candidate for Etobicoke Center, please find my commitments to those who continue to suffer from arthritis.
Please find my responses to the survey below.
I believe that the highest priority of government should be to promote the health and well-being of the people it serves. You can see this by the vast commitments within my platform and within the Ontario Green party vision for this election. When elected I would enact a committee of experts to implement high-quality evidence-based arthritis care. Despite the importance of primary care and home care for arthritic patients, many Ontarians do not have a family doctor. That is why I committed to the following
- Commit to comprehensive primary health care as the foundation of the health system so that every person in Ontario has timely access to a primary health care provider and to ensure that health promotion, illness prevention and community well-being are at the centre of our health system.
- Provide every Ontarian with electronic access to their personal health records.
- Expand access to multiservice and integrated primary care models such as family health teams, nurse-led clinics, community care centres, and Indigenous health access centres.
- Increase funding for home and community care to provide support for people to live at home longer.
- Invest additional resources to improve the availability of assisted living and transitional living for seniors.
- Provide support for family members who care for an infirm relative full time.
- Develop and fund research into smart home technology to enable us to age in place and stay in our communities.
- Empower Nurse Practitioners as primary health care providers especially in areas that lack primary care options.
- Increase funding for telemedicine, including telepsychiatry, and full-scale Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) teams in rural areas.
- Establish a full list of core services, including specialized health services, that ensure their availability within every Local Health Integration Network (LHIN).
- Support special public transit services for rural residents to access health care.
What will your government do to introduce patient education and exercise programs, such as GLA:D, that have been proven to significantly reduce hip or knee osteoarthritis symptoms?
An Ontario Green Government will take an evidence-based approach to healthcare, drawing on best practices in other jurisdictions in consultation with experts. GLA:D is one such The program that An Ontario Green government would explore further and actively consider supporting.
What will your government do to improve the healthcare and lives of Aboriginals living with arthritis in ONTARIO?
I am committed to consulting with the First Nations Health Authorities towards achieving the vision of healthy, strong, vibrant Aboriginal communities and addressing their unique healthcare needs. The investment I am ready to push for will expand access primary integrated care will benefit Aboriginal Ontarians suffering from arthritis, as it will expand access to quality primary care across Ontario. I will also support further investigation and use of Telehealth services to help us achieve accessible, sustainable health care for Ontarians in remote and rural areas of Ontario. I would coordinate and collaborate with industry to develop a Telehealth Delivery Strategy for patients in remote areas. I will also support initiatives and innovation within technology (such as blockchain) to enable the safe transfer of medical records, a process essential to effective telemedicine.
What will your government do to improve the province’s ranking and ensure that ONTARIO residents living with arthritis, with the help of the doctors who treat them, are able to choose the medication most appropriate for their specific disease and risk factors?
I would collaborate with industry and the federal government to develop strategies to deal with the rising cost of pharmaceuticals and ensure patient access to appropriate therapies to improve their health outcomes. We will develop a proposal to implement an essential drugs program beginning in 2019, designed to reduce the costs of prescription drugs, increase access, and ensure the cost of drugs is not a barrier to health management.
How will your government establish better prevention programs and facilitate flexible work arrangements to help reduce the direct and indirect costs of arthritis to Ontario employers and the ONTARIO economy?
I will advocate establishing a Ministry responsible for health promotion, disease prevention and active lifestyles, which will be responsible for delivering programs to prevent disease. The mandate of this ministry would require employers to make reasonable accommodation for people suffering from conditions that require flexible work arrangements, such as arthritis. Additionally, I would assemble a task force to develop a plan to transition the balance of resources between acute care and primary/preventative care.
The task force will review the funding and range of services covered by the healthcare system to ensure the mix of services better meets the treatment and prevention needs of the population. The task force will deliver its recommendations to the government by May 2019.
Will your government take steps to increase the number of rheumatologists and arthritis trained allied health professionals to ensure timely, specialized care for ONTARIO patients with arthritis
Regards,
Shawn
Arthritis Consumer Experts
ACE thanks Arthritis Research Canada (ARC) for its scientific review of ACE and JointHealth™ information and education programs.