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
Tracey Mackinnon – Thunder Bay-Superior North
Ostap Soroka – Don Valley North Candidate
Catherine Kiewning – Kenora-Rainy River Candidate
Thomas Yanuziello – Etobicoke Lakeshore Candidate
Robert Gibson – Peterborough-Kawartha Candidate
Jacqueline Milner - Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry Candidate
Leah Tysoe – Eglinton-Lawrence Candidate
Thaila Riden - Glengarry-Prescott-Russell Candidate
Colleen McCauley, GPO Candidate for London West
Tom Regina - Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock
Matt Richter – Parry Sound-Muskoka Candidate
David Weber – Kitchener South-Hespeler Candidate
Zane Abulail – Markham-Thornhill Candidate
Sandy Crawley – Hamilton Centre Candidate
Danielle Valiquette – Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound Candidate
Date: May 16, 2022 5:29PM
Subject: Re: Arthritis Consumer Experts Survey on Ontario Election
From:: Tracey Mackinnon
Response
Hi Cheryl,
Thanks for your email.
Thanks for the links & information on how many are affected by arthritis in Ontario. I am one of those people. While I don't have rheumatoid arthritis I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis 15 years ago in my hips, knees & ankles.
Indeed a very debilitating disease. Much like rheumatoid arthritis. My friend has a specialist apt tomorrow for her rheumatoid arthritis. She has been to the ER here in NWO numerous times trying to get treatment & care. Her fear is becoming addicted to the medication she is prescribed.
We have a Health Care Crisis. We have a Drug & Overdose Crisis, not to mention Poverty, climate & LTC crisis.
If Elected the Ontario Greens will rebalance the health care funding formula and invest in innovative primary care models so rural, remote & NWO communities where there were staffing shortages even before the pandemic.
We will invest $51M over 10 years to increase the number of NPs in the province by 50% by 2030.
We will expand, increase, develop, reduce, support & create mental health & health care supports.
Decriminalize drug use, expand safe consumption sites, and shift funding from the justice to health care system.
If you would like more information please check out our platform at www.gpo.ca
We can do better. We must do better. Our future depends on it.
Our future generations depend on it.
Tracey Mackinnon
Date: May 18, 2022 12:53M
Subject: Re: Arthritis Consumer Experts Survey on Ontario Election
From:: Ostap Soroka
Response
Hi Cheryl,
The Green Party of Ontario is committed to investing in evidence-based prevention and treatment strategies that support the individual care needs of all the people of Ontario. As an arthritis sufferer myself, this has particular importance to me. We will actively enhance the ability of Public Health Ontario to carry out its mandate by ensuring robust science based public health and laboratory support.
We will expand access to family health teams in communities across the province and increase opportunities for physicians to join team-based models of care. We will also improve integration and connectivity across healthcare service providers through the use of digital data sharing and patient health coordinators.
We will rebalance the healthcare funding formula to ensure better access in rural and remote areas as well as for those with mobility needs. We will also increase funding to home care services by 20%.
We will make permanent the 50 community wellness nursing positions supporting First Nations communities and invest in increasing the number of Indigenous-led health clinics.
Lastly, we will address the covid caused backlog by increasing year-over-year hospital base operating funding to a minimum of 5%; working with the federal government to provide surge funding to reduce the backlog in surgeries, imaging, and other services; and investing in new and expanded hospitals as needed to meet demand in high growth areas.
Ostap Soroka
Candidate – GPO – Don Valley North
Date: May 19, 2022 3:27PM
Subject: Re: Arthritis Consumer Experts Survey on Ontario Election
From:: Catherine Kiewning
Response
Thanks for sharing the Arthritis fact sheets with me. I can see that the GPO has responded to this survey already and thank you for taking the time to educate us about the community.
Take care, Catherine
Date: May 22, 2022 8:04AM PDT
Subject: Re: Arthritis Consumer Experts Survey on Ontario Election
From:: Thomas Yanuziello
Response
Hello, Cheryl Koehn,
I believe the Green Party has already provided a response to your inquiry, but here is our official statement:
How does your party plan to end the backlog of surgical wait times in Ontario?
Ontario Greens will work with the federal government to provide surge funding to reduce the backlog in surgeries, imaging, and other services.
We also understand that one of the keys to addressing the backlog for care is to invest in healthcare and healthcare workers. We will do this by:
- Establishing a nurse-led task force to make recommendations on matters related to the recruitment, retention and safety of nurses.
- Immediately repealing Bill 124 and the problematic sections of Bill 106 and allow all healthcare workers to bargain collectively for fair wages. Until then, provide a minimum hourly wage of $35 to registered practical nurses and $25 to personal support workers.
- Increasing nursing program enrollments by 10% every year for 7 years and the number of trained nurse practitioners by 50% by 2030 to enable us to meet our target of at least 30,000 additional nurses.
- Supporting certification upgrades for healthcare workers through expanded bridging programs at publicly funded post-secondary institutions.
- Fast-tracking credential approvals for 15,000 international healthcare workers, including nurses and personal support workers.
- Guaranteeing access to the most appropriate safety equipment in all healthcare facilities, and use the precautionary principle when protecting workers.
- Providing support for Black and Indigenous healthcare workers through greater mentorship opportunities, partnerships with allies, and equitable human resources processes.
- Expanding funding for primary, home and community care to create a strong, integrated, non-profit, public system that allows for more care outside of hospitals
We will partner with the federal government to implement a universal pharmacare program.
We also plan to:
- Improve diagnosis and OHIP-covered care for rare diseases, including chronic pain disorders.
- Support a publicly funded, publicly delivered healthcare system and oppose further privatisation of care.
- Expand access to family health teams in communities across the province and increase opportunities for physicians to join team-based models of care. Include a diverse array of healthcare providers in the teams to ensure a holistic, connected, comprehensive approach to health.
- Increase options for primary care, such as community health centres and nurse-practitioner-led clinics, to ensure access to non-urgent 24/7 care.
- Improve integration and connectivity across healthcare service providers through the use of digital data sharing and patient health coordinators for supporting those with complex care needs
- Increase funding to home care services by 20% to people in their homes when they need it.
Thomas
Thomas Yanuziello (He/Him)
MPP Candidate for Etobicoke Lakeshore
Green Party of Ontario
thomasyanuziello@gpo.ca
Date: May 22, 2022 2:10PM PDT
Subject: Re: Arthritis Consumer Experts Survey on Ontario Election
From:: Robert Gibson
Response
Thank you for sending these questions. I have attached my responses:
1) What will your government do to bring a high quality, accessible, standardized evidence-based model of arthritis care for all Ontario residents?
A Green government recognizes that there is a shortage of nurses therefore, it will establish a nurse led task force to make recommendations on matters related to the recruitment, retention and safety of nurses as well as repeal Bill 124. We will also increase funding by 20% for individuals who need home care. A Green government will expand access to family health teams and partner with the Federal government to implement a Universal Pharmacare program. Currently there are no available rheumatologist who are accepting new patients within Peterborough-Kawartha that I am aware of. I will advocate for housing geared towards rheumatologists who want to practice in Peterborough- Kawartha in partnership with the municipal and federal governments.
2) What will your government do to ensure the continuation, improvement, and expansion of virtual care for all Ontario residents – both patients and health care professionals - and ensure access is equitable to all?
A Green government will review all policies to ensure it is anti- racist and equitable. In addition, a green government will increase year-over-year hospital base operating funding to a minimum of 5% and continue investments in virtual care. A Green Government will also Fast-track credential approvals for 15,000 international healthcare workers, including nurses and PSWs. We will ensure there is a specified team with clear responsibility for addressing disability and accessibility issues which includes access to care.
3) What will your government do to improve the uptake of biosimilars, and will you commit to reinvest those savings to support additional medication listings and improve patient coverage?
A Green Government will work with the Federal government to develop a universal pharmacare program and where Biosimilars provide the best or effective treatment they will be supported.
4) How will your government incorporate Indigenous traditional healing practices to improve the delivery of care to Indigenous Peoples?
The Green party will invest in Indigenous led health clinics. We will work with the federal government and Indigenous Nations to identify and close the gap in health outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. In addition, we will increase the number of Indigenous professionals working in healthcare through training and mentorship opportunities and ensure their retention in Indigenous communities.
5) Will your government take steps to ensure timely, specialized care for Ontario residents struggling with arthritis, including joint surgery wait times that are within medically recommended guidelines? How will your government manage the backlog of surgical appointments that occurred because of the COVID-19 pandemic?
The Green party will invest in partnership with the Federal government surge capacity funding and will increase pay of nurses to build up capacity.
Date: May 23, 2022 5:13AM PDT
Subject: Re: Arthritis Consumer Experts Survey on Ontario Election
From:: Jacqueline Milner
Response
Hi Cheryl,
Thank you for your email.
The Green Party of Ontario is committed to the prevention, treatment, and care of disease.
A breakdown of the party’s vision forward can be found here: https://gpo.ca/platform/caring-society/
Best Regards,
Jacqueline Milner
Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry Candidate
Green Party of Ontario / Parti Vert de l’Ontario
613.931.9090
www.electjmilner.com
“The Green party is no longer the alternative, it is the imperative.”
~R. Clemente~
Date: May 23, 2022 7:10AM PDT
Subject: Re: Arthritis Consumer Experts Survey for Ontario Election
From:: Leah Tysoe
Response
Good morning,
I am sharing the Green Party of Ontario response to this questionnaire.
If you have any questions, or anything was missed please reply to this email and let me know.
Thank you
Leah Tysoe
Green Party of Ontario Candidate
Eglinton-Lawrence
How does your party plan to end the backlog of surgical wait times in Ontario?
Ontario Greens will work with the federal government to provide surge funding to reduce the backlog in surgeries, imaging, and other services.
We also understand that one of the keys to addressing the backlog for care is to invest in healthcare and healthcare workers. We will do this by:
- Establishing a nurse-led task force to make recommendations on matters related to the recruitment, retention and safety of nurses.
- Immediately repealing Bill 124 and the problematic sections of Bill 106 and allow all healthcare workers to bargain collectively for fair wages. Until then, provide a minimum hourly wage of $35 to registered practical nurses and $25 to personal support workers.
- Increasing nursing program enrollments by 10% every year for 7 years and the number of trained nurse practitioners by 50% by 2030 to enable us to meet our target of at least 30,000 additional nurses.
- Supporting certification upgrades for healthcare workers through expanded bridging programs at publicly funded post-secondary institutions.
- Fast-tracking credential approvals for 15,000 international healthcare workers, including nurses and personal support workers.
- Guaranteeing access to the most appropriate safety equipment in all healthcare facilities, and use the precautionary principle when protecting workers.
- Providing support for Black and Indigenous healthcare workers through greater mentorship opportunities, partnerships with allies, and equitable human resources processes.
- Expanding funding for primary, home and community care to create a strong, integrated, non-profit, public system that allows for more care outside of hospitals
We will partner with the federal government to implement a universal pharmacare program. We also plan to:
- Improve diagnosis and OHIP-covered care for rare diseases, including chronic pain disorders.
- Support a publicly funded, publicly delivered healthcare system and oppose further privatisation of care.
- Expand access to family health teams in communities across the province and increase opportunities for physicians to join team-based models of care. Include a diverse array of healthcare providers in the teams to ensure a holistic, connected, comprehensive approach to health.
- Increase options for primary care, such as community health centres and nurse-practitioner-led clinics, to ensure access to non-urgent 24/7 care.
- Improve integration and connectivity across healthcare service providers through the use of digital data sharing and patient health coordinators for supporting those with complex care needs
- Increase funding to home care services by 20% to people in their homes when they need it.
Date: May 25, 2022 3:40AM PDT
Subject: Re: Arthritis Consumer Experts Survey on Ontario Election
From:: Thaila Riden
Response
Hello Cheryl,
Thank you for your email. I appreciate the opportunity to speak on these issues that matter to Ontarians who are affected by Arthritis. I am happy to provide you with our party's plan for how to support those with specific medical needs.
Ontario Greens will work with the federal government to provide surge funding to reduce the backlog in surgeries, imaging, and other services.
We also understand that one of the keys to addressing the backlog for care is to invest in healthcare and healthcare workers. We will do this by:
- Establishing a nurse-led task force to make recommendations on matters related to the recruitment, retention and safety of nurses.
- Immediately repealing Bill 124 and the problematic sections of Bill 106 and allow all healthcare workers to bargain collectively for fair wages. Until then, provide a minimum hourly wage of $35 to registered practical nurses and $25 to personal support workers.
- Increasing nursing program enrollments by 10% every year for 7 years and the number of trained nurse practitioners by 50% by 2030 to enable us to meet our target of at least 30,000 additional nurses.
- Supporting certification upgrades for healthcare workers through expanded bridging programs at publicly funded post-secondary institutions.
- Fast-tracking credential approvals for 15,000 international healthcare workers, including nurses and personal support workers.
- Guaranteeing access to the most appropriate safety equipment in all healthcare facilities, and use the precautionary principle when protecting workers.
- Providing support for Black and Indigenous healthcare workers through greater mentorship opportunities, partnerships with allies, and equitable human resources processes.
- Expanding funding for primary, home and community care to create a strong, integrated, non-profit, public system that allows for more care outside of hospitals
-
Improve diagnosis and OHIP-covered care for rare diseases, including chronic pain disorders.
Support a publicly funded, publicly delivered healthcare system and oppose further privatisation of care.
Expand access to family health teams in communities across the province and increase opportunities for physicians to join team-based models of care. Include a diverse array of healthcare providers in the teams to ensure a holistic, connected, comprehensive approach to health.
Increase options for primary care, such as community health centres and nurse-practitioner-led clinics, to ensure access to non-urgent 24/7 care.
Improve integration and connectivity across healthcare service providers through the use of digital data sharing and patient health coordinators for supporting those with complex care needs
Increase funding to home care services by 20% to people in their homes when they need it.
Thaila Riden
Green Party of Ontario / Parti Vert de l'Ontario
Candidate for / Candidat pour
Glengarry-Prescott-Russell
thailariden@gpo.ca
Date: May 25, 2022 5:35AM PDT
Subject: Re: Arthritis Consumer Experts Survey for Ontario Election
From:: Colleen McCauley
Response
Dear Cheryl,
Thank you for reaching out to inform me about ACE, and inviting me to participate in your survey. My responses are attached.
If we want a more caring Ontario that prioritises the well-being of elders and the people who care for our loved ones, it’s going to take a sense of urgency and political will. We need to ensure all Ontarians have access to health care and community support when and where they need it.
Ontario Greens want to expand Ontario’s publicly funded, publicly delivered healthcare system, so that it is equitable, accessible, and comprehen¬sive to help Ontarians age in place.
Ontarians, like you and ACE supporters, care for one another. Our vision for Ontario is one where the government does too.
Thank you for advocating to improve Ontario’s health care system.
Best Regards,
Colleen
Colleen McCauley
GPO Candidate London West
she/her
ACE Survey
Colleen McCauley, GPO Candidate for London West
Question 1: What will your government do to bring a high quality, accessible, standardized evidence-based model of arthritis care for all Ontario residents?Colleen McCauley, GPO Candidate for London West
Ontario Greens plan to expand access to family health teams in communities across the province and increase opportunities for physicians to join team-based models of care. Include a diverse array of healthcare providers in the teams to ensure a holistic, connected, comprehensive approach to health. We also plan to:
- Rebalance the healthcare funding formu¬la to ensure better access in rural and re¬mote areas.
- Use incentives to bring physicians and al¬lied health professionals to Northern and rural communities.
Ontario Greens plan to improve integration and connectivi¬ty across healthcare service providers through the use of digital data sharing and patient health coordinators.
Question 3: What will your government do to improve the uptake of biosimilars, and will you commit to reinvest those savings to support additional medication listings and improve patient coverage?
Ontario Greens plan to partner with the federal government to im¬plement a universal pharmacare program. As an interim measure, publicly fund take-home cancer and rare disease medications.
Question 4: How will your government incorporate Indigenous traditional healing practices to improve the delivery of care to Indigenous Peoples?
Ontario Greens plan to invest in increasing the number of Indige¬nous-led health clinics, and make permanent the 50 community well¬ness nursing positions supporting First Nations communities. We also plan to:
- Improve the availability of supports and services in other languages, including French and Indigenous languages, and encourage service providers and pro¬grams to reflect the experiences and per¬spectives of the populations they serve.
- Create more Indigenous-led long-term care homes and allocate a portion of the new beds to these homes.
Ontario Greens will work with the federal government to pro¬vide surge funding to reduce the backlog in surgeries, imaging, and other services. We also plan to:
- Better integrate long-term care, home¬care, and caregiver services within the healthcare system to properly provide for the complex needs of residents.
- Increase funding to home care services by 20%, and base funding for long-term care by 10%.
Date: May 25, 2022 8:03AM PDT
Subject: Re: Arthritis Consumer Experts Survey for Ontario Election
From:: Tom Regina
Response
Hello Cheryl,
Thank you for your letter.
A major part of Green Party policy is to prioritize prevention in our healthcare system by expanding access to family health teams and increased options for primary care.
The plan includes increased funding for hospitals by a minimum of 5% per year and to work with the federal government for surge funding to reduce the backlog of surgeries and services.
You have provided information about your concerns and, refreshingly, suggestions to implement improvements.
I believe that we need more Green MPPs at Queen's Park and I would like to be among them to voice and amplify your concerns.
Sincerely,
Tom Regina
Date: May 25, 2022 9:38AM PDT
Subject: Re: Arthritis Consumer Experts Survey on Ontario Election
From:: Matt Richter
Response
Hi Cheryl,
Thanks for taking the time to share this information with me and for giving me an opportunity to identify how Ontario Greens would support those living with inflammatory arthritis. My responses are attached.
All the best,
Matt.
Date: May 26, 2022 8:13AM
Subject: Re: Arthritis Consumer Experts Survey on Ontario Election
From:: David Weber
Response
On behalf of the Green Party of Ontario's official position and with my support, I provide you with our answers:
- What will your government do to bring a high quality, accessible, standardized evidence-based model of arthritis care for all Ontario residents?
Ontario Greens will support a publicly funded, publicly delivered healthcare system and oppose further privatisation of care. We also plan to:- Improve diagnosis and OHIP-covered care for rare diseases, including chronic pain disorders.
- Expand access to family health teams in communities across the province and increase opportunities for physicians to join team-based models of care. Include a diverse array of healthcare providers in the teams to ensure a holistic, connected, comprehensive approach to health.
- Increase options for community care and nurse-practitioner-led clinics, to ensure access to non-urgent 24/7 care.
- Improve integration and connectivity across healthcare service providers through the use of digital data sharing and patient health coordinators for supporting those with complex care needs
- Increase funding to home care services by 20% to people in their homes when they need it.
- What will your government do to ensure the continuation, improvement, and expansion of virtual care for all Ontario residents – both patients and health care professionals - and ensure access is equitable to all?
Ontario Greens will improve primary and community care through a number of means, including improving virtual care when it makes sense, integration and connectivity across healthcare service providers through the use of digital data sharing and patient health coordinators. To ensure access to healthcare is equitable to all we will:- Immediately strike a task force to develop policies and initiatives that address the adverse effects of racism, homophobia, and transphobia on peoples’ mental health and the barriers they face to accessing healthcare.
- Provide cultural responsiveness training for all healthcare professionals across our system that is trauma-informed and rooted in equity and anti-racism.
- Increase core funding for community-based, grassroots mental and physical health supports in racialized, newcomer, and other communities that have traditionally been underserved.
- Improve the availability of supports and services in other languages, including French and Indigenous languages, and encourage service providers and programs to reflect the experiences and perspectives of the populations they serve.
- Mandate and fund the collection and meaningful use of socio-demographic and race-based data to identify and correct inequities in provided care and health outcomes.
- What will your government do to improve the uptake of biosimilars, and will you commit to reinvest those savings to support additional medication listings and improve patient coverage?
Ontario Greens will partner with the federal government to implement a universal pharmacare program. We will ensure that we are able to get the best price possible, through opportunities such as biosimilars savings and will use the savings to reinvest to cover medications for rarer or more complex diseases like inflammatory arthritis. - How will your government incorporate Indigenous traditional healing practices to improve the delivery of care to Indigenous Peoples?
Ontario Greens will work with Indigenous partners to incorporate Indigenous traditional healing practices, as well as addressing the other remaining provincial calls to action. We will also work with the federal government and Indigenous communities to identify and close the gap in health outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities by:- Immediately striking a task force to develop policies and initiatives that address the adverse effects of racism, homophobia, and transphobia on peoples’ mental health and the barriers they face to accessing healthcare.
- Providing cultural responsiveness training for all healthcare professionals across our system that is trauma-informed and rooted in equity and anti-racism.
- Increasing the number of Indigenous professionals working in healthcare through training and mentorship opportunities and ensuring their retention in Indigenous communities, particularly in northern and remote communities.
- Increase the number of Indigenous-led health centres, youth programming, crisis support teams, and support suicide-prevention training.
- Provide properly funded Indigenous-led supports for survivors of residential school trauma.
- Improving the availability of supports and services in other languages, including French and Indigenous languages, and encouraging service providers and programs to reflect the experiences and perspectives of the populations they serve.
- Mandating and funding the collection and meaningful use of socio-demographic and race-based data to identify and correct inequities in provided care and health outcomes.
- Making permanent the 50 community wellness nursing positions supporting First Nations communities.
- Publishing annual progress reports and assessing long-term trends and indicators in areas such as suicide, mental health, chronic diseases, and availability of appropriate health services to ensure equity in access to care.
- Will your government take steps to ensure timely, specialized care for Ontario residents struggling with arthritis, including joint surgery wait times that are within medically recommended guidelines? How will your government manage the backlog of surgical appointments that occurred because of the COVID-19 pandemic?
Ontario Greens understand the huge impact on the quality of life that something like a hip replacement can make. We also understand that one of the keys to addressing the backlog for care is to invest in healthcare and healthcare workers. Therefore, we will work to address some of the underlying issues that are leading to these unacceptable delays. We will increase funding for primary, community and home care so that people can be treated with the best possible care, that is also least expensive, thereby decreasing the stress on our hospitals. We will also begin the hard work of addressing the gaps in hospitals that are making the delays even worse.
We will improve healthcare by:- Working with the federal government to provide surge funding to reduce the backlog in surgeries, imaging, and other services.
- Increasing hospital budgets by 5%
- Immediately repealing Bill 124 and the problematic sections of Bill 106 and allow all healthcare workers to bargain collectively for fair wages. Until then, provide a minimum hourly wage of $35 to registered practical nurses and $25 to personal support workers to ensure that we have care providers.
- Increasing nursing program enrollments and the number of trained nurse practitioners to enable us to meet our target of at least 30,000 additional nurses.
- Supporting certification upgrades for healthcare workers through expanded bridging programs at publicly funded post-secondary institutions.
- Fast-tracking credential approvals for 15,000 international healthcare workers, including nurses and personal support workers.
- Expanding funding for primary, home and community care to create a strong, integrated, non-profit, public system that allows for more care outside of hospitals
David Weber
MPP Candidate for the Green Party of Ontario
Kitchener South - Hespeler riding
www.David4KSH.ca
Date: May 30, 2022, 1:38AM
Subject: Re: Arthritis Consumer Experts Survey for Ontario Election
From: Zane Abulail
Response
Hello Cheryl, hope you are well. I want to thank you for reaching out to me and for your passionate advocacy on this issue. I reached out to our Party for a detailed response to your questions which I have attached to this email. Thank you, and I hope you have a great week.
Date: May 30, 2022, 2:33PM
Subject: Re: Arthritis Consumer Experts Survey for Ontario Election
From: Sandy Crawley
Response
Dear Cheryl & Anita,
Sorry to have taken so long to respond directly. I have been receiving quite a number of messages from your activists o the issue who dwell in Hamilton Centre and I have relied like this:
While I am unlikely to unseat the NDP Leader (and former Leader of the Opposition) in a riding that has supported her party overwhelmingly for 4 decades, I am completely aligned with your call for innovative solutions to hallway medicine in general and attention to the growing incidence of Arthritis in particular. I hope you will take the time to look at our comprehensive approach to health care in our plan at gpo.ca. You will be pleased to know that you are one of many activists working on Arthritis that have reached out to me. I assume that you are reaching out to all parties. I hope the three old-line parties will listen and respond to the Society's detailed call for action.
And I hope you will consider voting Green to send the old-line parties a signal that a growing number of us in Ontario are ready for bold and prudent action on a number of the interrelated challenges we face.
Sandy Crawley
GPO Candidate
Hamilton Centre
L8M 2M8
Date: June 1, 2022 1:25AM
Subject: Re: Arthritis Consumer Experts Survey for Ontario Election
From: Danielle Valiquette
Response:
Thanks for the email.
Yes I will make action on arthritis a priority. Arthritis and its implications have touched my family personally. I have included the questions and answers to a survey from Cheryl Koehn the President, Arthritis Consumer Experts as it may be of interest to you.
What will your government do to bring a high quality, accessible, standardized evidence-based model of arthritis care for all Ontario residents?
Ontario Greens will support a publicly funded, publicly delivered healthcare system and oppose further privatisation of care. We also plan to:
- Improve diagnosis and OHIP-covered care for rare diseases, including chronic pain disorders.
- Expand access to family health teams in communities across the province and increase opportunities for physicians to join team-based models of care. Include a diverse array of healthcare providers in the teams to ensure a holistic, connected, comprehensive approach to health.
- Increase options for community care and nurse-practitioner-led clinics, to ensure access to non-urgent 24/7 care.
- Improve integration and connectivity across healthcare service providers through the use of digital data sharing and patient health coordinators for supporting those with complex care needs
- Increase funding to home care services by 20% to people in their homes when they need it.
Ontario Greens will improve primary and community care through a number of means, including improving virtual care when it makes sense, integration and connectivity across healthcare service providers through the use of digital data sharing and patient health coordinators. To ensure access to healthcare is equitable to all we will:
- Immediately strike a task force to develop policies and initiatives that address the adverse effects of racism, homophobia, and transphobia on peoples’ mental health and the barriers they face to accessing healthcare.
- Provide cultural responsiveness training for all healthcare professionals across our system that is trauma-informed and rooted in equity and anti-racism.
- Increase core funding for community-based, grassroots mental and physical health supports in racialized, newcomer, and other communities that have traditionally been underserved.
- Improve the availability of supports and services in other languages, including French and Indigenous languages, and encourage service providers and programs to reflect the experiences and perspectives of the populations they serve.
- Mandate and fund the collection and meaningful use of socio-demographic and race-based data to identify and correct inequities in provided care and health outcomes.
Ontario Greens will partner with the federal government to implement a universal pharmacare program. We will ensure that we are able to get the best price possible, through opportunities such as biosimilars savings and will use the savings to reinvest to cover medications for rarer or more complex diseases like inflammatory arthritis.
How will your government incorporate Indigenous traditional healing practices to improve the delivery of care to Indigenous Peoples?
Ontario Greens will work with Indigenous partners to incorporate Indigenous traditional healing practices, as well as addressing the other remaining provincial calls to action. We will also work with the federal government and Indigenous communities to identify and close the gap in health outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities by:
- Immediately striking a task force to develop policies and initiatives that address the adverse effects of racism, homophobia, and transphobia on peoples’ mental health and the barriers they face to accessing healthcare.
- Providing cultural responsiveness training for all healthcare professionals across our system that is trauma-informed and rooted in equity and anti-racism.
- Increasing the number of Indigenous professionals working in healthcare through training and mentorship opportunities and ensuring their retention in Indigenous communities, particularly in northern and remote communities.
- Increase the number of Indigenous-led health centres, youth programming, crisis support teams, and support suicide-prevention training.
- Provide properly funded Indigenous-led supports for survivors of residential school trauma.
- Improving the availability of supports and services in other languages, including French and Indigenous languages, and encouraging service providers and programs to reflect the experiences and perspectives of the populations they serve.
- Mandating and funding the collection and meaningful use of socio-demographic and race-based data to identify and correct inequities in provided care and health outcomes.
- Making permanent the 50 community wellness nursing positions supporting First Nations communities.
- Publishing annual progress reports and assessing long-term trends and indicators in areas such as suicide, mental health, chronic diseases, and availability of appropriate health services to ensure equity in access to care.
Ontario Greens understand the huge impact on the quality of life that something like a hip replacement can make. We also understand that one of the keys to addressing the backlog for care is to invest in healthcare and healthcare workers. Therefore, we will work to address some of the underlying issues that are leading to these unacceptable delays. We will increase funding for primary, community and home care so that people can be treated with the best possible care, that is also least expensive, thereby decreasing the stress on our hospitals. We will also begin the hard work of addressing the gaps in hospitals that are making the delays even worse.
We will improve healthcare by:
- Working with the federal government to provide surge funding to reduce the backlog in surgeries, imaging, and other services.
- Increasing hospital budgets by 5%
- Immediately repealing Bill 124 and the problematic sections of Bill 106 and allow all healthcare workers to bargain collectively for fair wages. Until then, provide a minimum hourly wage of $35 to registered practical nurses and $25 to personal support workers to ensure that we have care providers.
- Increasing nursing program enrollments and the number of trained nurse practitioners to enable us to meet our target of at least 30,000 additional nurses.
- Supporting certification upgrades for healthcare workers through expanded bridging programs at publicly funded post-secondary institutions.
- Fast-tracking credential approvals for 15,000 international healthcare workers, including nurses and personal support workers.
- Expanding funding for primary, home and community care to create a strong, integrated, non-profit, public system that allows for more care outside of hospitals
Danielle