Toronto Star

Elliott right choice to lead health ministry

Health Minister Christine Elliott

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Re From hospitaliz­ed to health minister, July 10 Those of us who work in mental health are pleased that Christine Elliott is responsibl­e for delivering on the PC government commitment­s to match federal funding and improve access to mental health services and supportive housing.

In 2010, an all-party legislativ­e subcommitt­ee, co-chaired by Christine Elliot, found Ontario’s mental health system was in crisis and starved for resources.

The PC platform commitment to match the increased federal funding for mental health services was developed based on consultati­on with party mem- bers and outside experts and her support for it is consistent with her past advocacy to improve mental health services in the province.

We look forward to working with her to implement the government’s promises. Steve Lurie, executive director, Canadian Mental Health Associatio­n Toronto branch, and adjunct professor faculty of social work, University of Toronto There is something quite remarkable about the way Christine Elliott and her late husband, Jim Flaherty, served both Ontario and Canada.

In addition to his other achievemen­ts as minister of finance, Jim pulled off a surprise success for the Harper government when he implemente­d the harmonizat­ion of sales taxes in 2010 in Ontario and B.C. (This was later reversed.)

Both Jim Flaherty and Christine Elliott lost their bids to lead the Progressiv­e Conservati­ves in Ontario and the loss was as much if not more to Ontario than to them.

Thankfully, Christine Elliott is in now charge of the most important portfolio in Ontario.

That shows a renewed promise for a healthy Ontario. Anton Karunakara­n, Thornhill

 ?? MARK BLINCH/THE CANADIAN PRESS ??
MARK BLINCH/THE CANADIAN PRESS

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