Corrupt Premier Dalton McGuinty Government sneaks Healthcare Privatization

Ontario Liberals adopt U.S. President George W. Bush's deceptive use of populist language for an opposing hostile agenda.

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At the end of the CBC mini-series Prairie Giant, Tommy Douglas warns that Medicare would be challenged by those who claim we can't afford it. He points out that, yes, health care is expensive, but adding a return on investment to shareholders doesn't make it any less expensive.

On March 11 the Toronto Star's editorial commentary made one more pitch on behalf of the government's Local Health Integration Networks, claiming they are necessary because of rising costs. Like Tommy, we wonder how, under this scheme, adding a new layer of bureaucracy and more for-profit delivery are going to make it any less expensive?

The Ontario Liberal government's rhetoric has portrayed the Local Health Integration Networks (LHIN) in a manner that is inconsistent with the content of the legislation. The biggest deception is the suggestion that the government is transferring real power to the local level.

The LHINs are now admitting that they are anything but local, scrambling to deal with diverse needs over vast regions. The Central East LHIN, for example, means one board makes decisions affecting residents from Haliburton to Scarborough. That's not local.

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty.

Secondly, the biggest shift in power in this reorganization is not to the local level, but to Queen's Park. Lawyers Brian D. Mulroney and Susan Sorenson of Borden Ladner Gervais wrote: ". the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care and the Lieutenant Governor in Council have kept for themselves, the substantive powers and responsibilities needed by the LHINs to truly achieve a transformation of the provincial health care system." Other law firms examining the legislation have come to similar conclusions.

Thirdly, these LHIN boards are appointed by government, not elected by local communities. Many of the present appointees have hefty Liberal Party and Big Business credentials. Regardless of party affiliation, should any board member differ with the Minister of Health, they can be easily removed at the minister's pleasure.

The Star says the LHINs are "little known or understood by most residents," yet will "have profound impact on the lives of every Ontarian." We couldn't agree more.

Every Ontarian should look a little deeper and see this reorganization for what it is: yet another assault on our Medicare system.

Leah Casselman
President, OPSEU