Privatization fears raised
Peterborough Health Coalition, Save PDI advocates question Leal
Privatization of public services was the subject of a Monday morning meeting between members of two advocacy groups and Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Minister and Peterborough MPP Jeff Leal.
Roy Brady and Charlene Avon of the Peterborough Health Coalition sought answers about the perceived privatization of health care, before Joel Usher of Save PDI spoke about the potential sale of the power distribution company to Hydro One.
After an approximately 50-minute discussion, Leal promised to clarify four coalition points with Health Minister Eric Hoskins, who the coalition still wants to meet with, for Brady.
The first, regarding not-forprofit status, relates to clinics allegedly frequently making a profit because there is no supervision, Brady said.
The other issues included the proliferation of optional fees, how the province enforces inspections and the idea of using different legislation – the act that governs how hospitals operate – in order to eliminate prohibited for-profit clinics.
Brady asked Leal what the province’s policy is on privatization and Leal provided him with the government’s policy approved by cabinet 18 months ago.
“That’s our policy and we adhere to it,” Leal said, after apologizing when Brady asked why the document wasn’t provided to the coalition sooner.
Responding to Brady ’s assertion that many clinics are for-profit, the MPP said the province takes violations seriously and the health ministry does provide reimbursements for OHIP-covered fees paid for out of patients’ pockets.
Clinics’ articles of incorporation must prove they are non-profit and speciality clinics, which are prohibited from charging fees, must make patients aware of optional ones, Leal said. Brady later questioned why the optional fees are necessary.
The policy provided Monday, however, does not outline the province’s rules regarding privatization, Brady would note. “I think your government is avoiding this.”
Later, the coalition spokesman asked Leal if he has seen privatization.
“I haven’t seen it ... and I talk to people all the time,” he responded, encouraging the group to report alleged violators to be investigated.
Brady then claimed the government is not doing that, before Leal cited an example of an ocular clinic that was recently probed.
The coalition members agreed when Leal pointed out that the province recently named former Oshawa-Whitby MPP Christine Elliott, who he called “a very fine person,” its patient advocate – what he called “an excellent step forward” for health care.
As for Peterborough Distribution Inc., Leal was asked to take a bolder position in the debate about the possible sale of PDI to Hydro One – which could fetch as much as $40 to $50 million. A consultant’s reported is expected to be released next week.
The discussion generated more questions than answers, and Leal suggested the distribution aspect of the electrical industry may be a “sunset business” as “poles and wires” will undoubtedly become obsolete down the road.
The real value is going to be on the generation side, he added, noting those views would frame his questions for city council. “That’s the big question that needs to be asked.”
Asked again about privatization, Leal noted that the money-making LCBO is being retained, as consumers demanded, and how the province still plans to retain a large stake in Ontario Power Generation – “Where the future is.”
He also pointed out how the new portions of toll route Hwy .407, including the recentlyopened Hwy .412 linking it with Hwy .401 in Durham Region, will be publically-owned.