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Ontario 2018 provincial election

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.

Ontario New Democratic Party individual candidate responses
Jessica Bell - candidate for University-Rosedale
Monique Taylor - candidate for Hamilton Mountain
Lise Vaugeois – candidate for Thunder Bay-Superior North
Eleanor Fast – candidate for Ottawa South
Jeff Burch – candidate for Niagara Centre
Peggy Sattler – candidate for London West
Teresa Armstrong - candidate for London-Fanshawe
Jordan McGrail – candidate for Chatham-Kent-Leamington
Rima Berns-McGown - candidate for Beaches East-York
Merit Stiles- candidate for Davenport
Erin Horvath - candidate for Parry Sound- Muskoka
Monique Hughes – candidate for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound
Karen Gventer - Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound
Marjorie Knight – candidate for Cambridge
Khalid Ahmed – candidate for Don Valley East
Date: May 14, 2018, 2:04pm
Subject: : re: Arthritis Consumer Experts Survey for ON Election 2018 – Arthritis in Ontario
From: Jessica Bell

Response:

Dear Anita and Cheryl,

Thank you for your message about this important issue and for all the work that you do.

The Ontario NDP are committed to working with our partners in the arthritis community – including advocacy groups, experts, and people living with arthritis – to determine the best way to move forward with arthritis care in Ontario. We want to ensure that publicly delivered arthritis care is high quality, standardized, and accessible to meet the needs of everyone in the community.

Please see the attached letter addressed to Cheryl for a more detailed description of the Ontario NDP's plan to address this issue in response to your survey.

This candidate attached the official party response.

Thanks again.

Take care,

Anna
Office Manager
Jessica Bell Campaign
University-Rosedale ONDP

475 Bloor Street West
Toronto M5S 1X9
t: 647-345-2763
e: jessica.bell@ontariondp.ca

Date: May 15, 2018, 7:23am PDT
Subject: : re: Arthritis Consumer Experts Survey for ON Election 2018 – Arthritis in Ontario
From: Monique Taylor

Response:

Dear Ms. Koehn,

Thank you for contacting Monique Taylor regarding the impact of arthritis and the need for improved prevention, treatment and care.

I believe you will have already received a response on behalf of the NDP but if not, I have attached a copy of it to this email.

This candidate attached the official party response.

Best regards,

Norm MacAskill
Monique Taylor Campaign

Date: May 16, 2018, 5:24pm PDT
Subject: : re: Arthritis Consumer Experts Survey for ON Election 2018 – Arthritis in Ontario
From: Lise Vaugeois

Response:

Our response to your questionnaire is attached.

This candidate attached the official party response.

Lise Vaugeois Campaign

Date: May 17, 2018, 11:09am PDT
Subject: : re: Arthritis Consumer Experts Survey for ON Election 2018 – Arthritis in Ontario
From: Eleanor Fast

Response:

This candidate attached the official party response.

Eleanor

Eleanor Fast
NDP Candidate in Ottawa South
https://eleanorfast.ontariondp.ca

Stay up to date with the campaign on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EleanorFastONDP18
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EleanorFastONDP

Date: Friday, May 18, 2018 at 12:13 PM
Subject: : re: Arthritis Consumer Experts Survey for ON Election 2018 – Arthritis in Ontario
From: Jeff Burch

Response:

This candidate attached the official party response.

Jeff Burch

Date: May 18, 2018 at 2:56:56 PM PDT
Subject: : re: Arthritis Consumer Experts Survey for ON Election 2018 – Arthritis in Ontario
From: Peggy Sattler

Response:

Hello Cheryl,

Thank you for writing to Peggy's campaign. Please see the attached letter from the Ontario New Democrats addressing your questions.

This candidate attached the official party response.

Sincerely,

Janan Dean
Campaign Staff

Peggy Sattler Re-election Campaign
4-312 Commissioners Rd W
London N6J 1Y3

Date: May 21, 2018 at 4:01:23 PM PDT
Subject: : re: Arthritis Consumer Experts Survey for ON Election 2018 – Arthritis in Ontario
From: Teresa Armstrong

Response:

Thanks so much for reaching out to us.

This candidate attached the official party response.

Best regards,

Theresa Kiefer
Campaign Manager
Teresa Armstrong ONDP Campaign
519-451-0099 teresa.armstrong@ontariondp.ca
14-972 Hamilton Rd, London, ON N5W 1V0

Date: May 22, 2018 at 5:23:31 PM PDT
Subject: : re: Arthritis Consumer Experts Survey for ON Election 2018 – Arthritis in Ontario
From: Jordan McGrail

Response:

Thank you for your note, Cheryl.

This candidate attached the official party response.

John Ashton
Campaign Manager
Jordan McGrail NDP Campaign
https://jordanmcgrail.ontariondp.ca/

Date: May 23, 2018 at 8:25:14 AM PDT
Subject: : re: Arthritis Consumer Experts Survey for ON Election 2018 – Arthritis in Ontario
From: Rima Berns-McGown

Response:

Good morning Cheryl,

I wanted to apologize for the delayed response the campaign trail has been very busy. I also wanted to thank you for your continued effort on this issue. Its with people like yourself we can build a better society for all.

This candidate attached the official party response.

Now I have a request for you, as you know this is a change election and here in Beaches East-York, we are in a tight race. Given whats going on in the province this riding could be the difference maker to stop Ford and give Andrea the support she needs to be the next premier. We are asking the community to do their part to help make history. We need as mush support as possible to ensure a better future for everyone. This being understood I wanted to know if you or your network would support my campaign either by volunteering or if you are busy by providing financial support. Campaigns are won by their volunteer team but also by promotions and staff. Donations go to buying signs, buttons, leaflets, hiring canvassers to spread the message and advertisements on media platforms. If you do decide to volunteer or donate please contact our campaign office either in person or by the phone. If you would rather you can also donate online at beyrima.ca. You can also find us at the office at 2763 Danforth Ave, located on the south side corner of Danforth and Dawes Rd right next to the Pizza Nova. If you prefer to give us a call our number is 647-479-9885.

Thank you so much for reaching out, let's change Ontario for the better on June 7th.

Kind Regards,

Rima Berns-McGown
NDP Candidate for Beaches East-York
2763 Danforth Ave Unit 3
647-479-9885

Date: May 23, 2018 at 9:17:10 AM PDT
Subject: : re: Arthritis Consumer Experts Survey for ON Election 2018 – Arthritis in Ontario
From: Merit Stiles

Response:

Dear Ms. Koehn,

Thank you for sending so much helpful information and for the opportunity to respond to the survey. Attached, please find a letter from all of us with Ontario's NDP with responses to the survey as well as our commitment to increasing access to arthritis care in Ontario.

This candidate attached the official party response.

Sincerely,
Marit Stiles
MPP Candidate for Davenport

Date: May 24, 2018 at 9:07:52 PM PDT
Subject: : re: Arthritis Consumer Experts Survey for ON Election 2018 – Arthritis in Ontario
From: Erin Horvath

Response:

Hello Cheryl,

Thank you so much for reaching out with your questions. Attached you should find answers to the questions in your survey which have been provided by our policy office. If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thanks and enjoy your day,

This candidate attached the official party response.

Erin

Erin Horvath
NDP Candidate, Parry Sound- Muskoka

Date: May 26, 2018 at 3:42:13 PM PDT
Subject: : re: Arthritis Consumer Experts Survey for ON Election 2018 – Arthritis in Ontario
From: Monique Hughes

Response:

Hi Cheryl

ARTHRITIS CONSUMER EXPERTS

Share your plan for arthritis prevention, treatment and care in Ontario

Thank you for forwarding this questionnaire from Arthritis Consumer Experts to me. Please find attached the response from the Ontario’s NDP, that I believe has been forwarded to you.

I was diagnosed with arthritis approximately five years ago so I know the challenges that it presents, and this is an issue that is close to my heart. I understand that people who are diagnosed with arthritis want to continue to be as healthy as they can be for as long as they can; and in comfort, not pain.

We know that there are many strategies that can help with this, including specialized exercise programs, such as GLA:D or warm water aquatics. I very much look forward to working with the arthritis community in Ajax to advocate with them for the strategies they, as the people with first hand experience and expertise, know will help.

A core philosophy of the NDP is that no one should be left behind. We also believe that the smart thing to do is to invest public dollars in keeping people healthy longer. We need to put these two concepts together when we think of how to address the needs of people with arthritis. Not only does life remain affordable and more enjoyable for people with jobs or who are in school; but our communities are better off because their experience and skills remain and grow productively in our communities.

Access to health services is inequitable for people who live in rural and remote areas. The NDP will double the investment in the First Nations Health Action Plan, and work with First Nations to increase First Nations’ role in decision-making & and in providing front-line care. I believe we also need to look at creative ways, including the use of technology, to bring specialist services to First Nations and other communities that are far from urban centres. We also need to review how residency positions are allocated to ensure the right specialists are being prepared to meet the needs of Ontarians.

I look forward to the opportunity to work with the Arthritis Community as the next MPP for Ajax.

Yours in Change for the Better,
Monique

Date: May 27, 2018 at 7:39:15 AM PDT
Subject: : re: Arthritis Consumer Experts Survey for ON Election 2018 – Arthritis in Ontario
From: Karen Gventer

Response:

This candidate attached the official party response.

Sincerely,

Karen Gventer
NDP Candidate, 2018 Provincial Election
Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound
226-664-2990 (Campaign Office)
http://www.bgos-ndp.ca/

Date: Friday, June 1, 2018 at 11:41 AM
Subject: : re: Arthritis Consumer Experts Survey for ON Election 2018 – Arthritis in Ontario
From: Marjorie Knight

Response:

Hello Ms. Koehn;

Thank you for reaching out and for the fact sheet. I trust you have received by now the NDP response to your questions.

This candidate attached the official party response.

Cheers,

Marjorie
Date: Tuesday, June 5, 2018 at 12:59 PM
Subject: : re: Arthritis Consumer Experts Survey for ON Election 2018 – Arthritis in Ontario
From: Khalid Ahmed

Response:

Cheryl Koeth
Founder and President
Arthritis Consumer Experts

Dear Ms. Koeth,

Thank you for reaching out to Ontario’s New Democrats on behalf of the Arthritis Consumer Experts, and by extension, the members of the arthritis community that your organization represents.

Andrea Horwath and the Ontario NDP believe that Ontario is at its best when everyone can live good lives and when nobody is excluded from their community. That means making sure we’re accommodating the distinct needs and strengths of all Ontarians — with the lifelong supports that allow everyone to thrive.

We know that after the drastic cuts of the Conservative years – and after 15 years of neglect, spending freezes, and cuts under the Liberals – our health care system is falling short of what Ontarians need. We also know that it doesn’t have to be this way – we can change Ontario’s health care system for the better, so the arthritis community and all Ontarians have access to high-quality care.

We are committed to working with our partners in the arthritis community – including advocacy groups, experts, and people living with arthritis – to determine the best way to move forward with arthritis care in Ontario. We want to ensure that publicly delivered arthritis care is high quality, standardized, and accessible to meet the needs of everyone in the community.

Andrea Horwath and the NDP have committed to several historic investments in health care. While the Liberal government’s OHIP+ program has left millions of people without prescription drug coverage, an NDP government will make Ontario the first province with universal pharmacare by 2020 — so every Ontarian can get the medication they need. It will mean lower costs, less worrying, and better health for everyone. Unlike the Liberal government’s plan, nobody will be excluded. Pharmacare will begin with universal coverage for approximately 125 essential medicines – chosen through an independent process led by the Committee to Evaluate Drugs. We will work to expand this list as quickly as possible.

Andrea Horwath and the NDP will also launch the largest expansion of community- governed non-profit health care Ontario has ever seen. We will increase the base funding for these centres by 5 per cent ($30 million) and ensure that ongoing funding increases with inflation. We will also invest in new community-governed non-profit health centres, as well as new satellite locations for existing centres, in the 35 regions that need them but don’t yet have one. With these commitments, we will ensure that Ontarians across the province – including members of the arthritis community – have access to publicly-funded health programs and services wherever they live.

We also believe that no one should have to wait years for the surgery they need. By increasing funding to hospitals by 5.3 per cent and ensuring staffing levels are adequate, we will allow hospitals to remove arbitrary annual caps that force surgery cancellations every year.

The reality in Ontario is that First Nations and Indigenous people still do not have access to the same level of health services as non-Indigenous Ontarians. Many First Nations communities struggle to ensure that people have access to even basic health care. In partnership with First Nations, Andrea Horwath and the NDP are committed to providing better health care services in every community. We will double Ontario’s investment in the First Nations Health Action Plan, providing at least $209 million per year, starting in 2019. We anticipate that our doubled investment will support health care programs designed and implemented by First Nations, increase physician days in communities, and expand primary care teams as well as home and community care service and telemedicine.

Once again, we thank you for reaching out with your important questions. We look forward to getting to work, including increasing access to arthritis care in Ontario.

Best,

Ontario's New Democrats
Don Valley East