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| (photo courtesy of www.ontarioliberal.ca) |
Minister
Matthews' prescription of deniability
Minister
of Health and Long-Term Care Deb Matthews has finally responded to a
serious issue brought to her attention in May of 2012. Deb Matthews
in her response dated August 22nd 2012 has done what every
minister of the Dalton McGuinty government does so well, she walked
away from her responsibilities and the people of this province.
Minister
Deb Matthews had information and direct evidence provided of an issue
surrounding the most senior public health official in the Regional
Municipality of Niagara lying not only to the public but to the
Regional Chairman Garry Burroughs. The position of the senior health
officer is one that is appointed by the Minister of Health, and
therefore under the authority of the Health Minister.
Niagara
Region's health officer Dr. Valerie Jaeger, MD., PhD. had lied
regarding information from a Ministry of the Environment report
entered into record on March 3rd 2010 as a response to an
EBR (Environmental Bill of Rights) investigation. What Dr. Jaeger
lied about was a serious situation relating to potential contaminates
being discharged through an open drainage ditch which is connected to
a storm water run-off catch basin. Orange coloured water with a
strong sheen and rainbow on its surface had been discharged from
behind an auto collision business. This auto collision business, Sun
Collision of St. Catharines owned by Sam Demita, has had three
applications for investigation approved by the Environmental
Commissioner of Ontario in two and a half years. Sam Demita was
found in contravention of the EPA and Ontario Regulation #347,
burying hazardous waste material on his property after the first
investigation in 2009/2010.
In
late 2011 the orange discharge and the sheen together with its
rainbow on the surface was evident in the drainage ditch behind the
auto collision business. As the sewer-use bylaws are administered
through the regional health office all the information was forwarded
to Dr. Valerie Jeager in time. Her response made no sense.
Dr.
Jeager was appointed by the Minister of Health and it is Minister Deb
Matthews who has the authority to act. Instead Minister Matthews
states in her letter “I encourage you to raise your concerns with
the local office of the Ministry of Environment.” A letter had been
sent to the Minister of Environment Jim Bradley, his response was to
instruct Director Bill Bardswick to alter documentation that had been
submitted into record by the MOE in 2010. Minister Jim Bradley not
only had information changed that was in the original report
submitted in March 2010, he also had information added that was not
in the original report. Any official report by a ministry submitted
into record is a legal binding document and altering details of such
a report may constitute perjury.
An
investigation into Dr. Jeager would also spawn serious questions as
to the actions of Minister Jim Bradley. Can that be the reason for
Deb Matthews to have taken over two months to respond? Health
Minster Matthews has not only decided to protect Dr. Valerie Jaeger
for her lies but more importantly the Liberal party's superhero of
public service, Minister Jim Bradley. Yet the evidence is clear and
undeniable. Minister of Health Deb Matthews appointed the chief
medical officer for the Region of Niagara, Dr. Valerie Jaeger, a
practising physician who has lied in her communications relating to
an official MOE report. It is the responsibility of the Minister of
Health to take action and investigate. Minister Deb Matthews has
refused, why?
Premier
Dalton McGuinty is simply concerned with the numbers game and by
elections, not the people of Ontario or even the laws that govern us.
As the Minister of Health Deb Matthews is responsible for the
administration of our health system throughout Ontario. She is not
there to simply make appearances at ribbon cutting ceremonies or back
slapping parties. Deb Matthews has failed Ontarians with the
horrific C.difficile outbreak in Niagara and its death toll.
Minister Deb Matthews failed Ontarians with the scandal surrounding
ORNGE. Now Minister of Health Deb Matthews has failed Ontarians with
the lack of responsibility or action with the Dr. Jaeger situation.
In popular sporting terminology, three strikes and you're out, yet
Minister Matthews still hangs in with her eyelids flapping.
Health Rally at Queen's Park, where were you?
On September 13th a rally at Queen's Park brought together people form all over Ontario with one common goal, to protect our public health system. It was not a day for party politics but a chance to raise one voice in unison. You the Minister for Health decided to avoid the people of Ontario. Yet you and Premier McGuinty slapped yourselves on your backs when you announced the Excellent Care For ALL Act 2010. Why were you not there at Queen's Park to tell us the people of Ontario how that Excellent Care of All really works. Maybe you could of told those of us who represented the Niagara area how it works. Here we have had to mourn 37 times our loved ones before you as the Minister for Health and the Premier took action. What scared you to listen to the people of Ontario. After all you are out in your riding making promises, telling people how much you care, pounding the drum on so called past achievements, asking for trust and a vote. Were you scared to listen to Steven McMullen from St. Catharines and the sheer horrors that his mother endured? How would you handle the story of a man who risked his life for all of us in World War 2 die in a nursing home of starvation? People came from all over Ontario for one purpose, PUBLIC HEALTH CARE! You as the Minister of Health in Ontario didn't bother to make an appearance, WHY?
What would you tell us from Niagara? How would you explain the time it took for you to act in the C. Difficile outbreak. There were 37 innocent victims before you as the provincial Minister of Health acted and established a provincial supervisor to take control of the NHS. Maybe you could speak to the families and friends of those lost of your EXCELLENT CARE FOR ALL, or explain to Steven McMullen how that really works.
You Minister Deb Matthews, Minister of Health did not bother to come and listen to the people of Ontario. As the election nears you, Premier McGuinty, Minister Jim Bradley and the rest of the Liberals run around your ridings making promises, reminding all of past achievements and asking for our trust, for our vote. Where were you on September 13th? Since you missed it, here it is for you.
Ontario Health Coalition Rally
On September 13th 2011 I witnessed the power and impact of a collective voice of Canadians standing together for a common cause – to protect our public health for the benefit of all. Niagara was represented by two bus loads, wearing yellow shirts, carrying the memories of those we lost to the horrors of C. difficile. Fort Erie, Niagara Falls, Welland and St. Catharines found ordinary people who took the time from their daily routines to band together and become one voice. On the bus to Toronto we had seniors, those in between and even a young couple with a child. Sadly once again St. Catharines did not find any of our elected representatives who were willing to take the time and join together with the people who suffered.
I heard people recount stories of victims of the C. difficile outbreak, how a simple surgery resulted in death. Most alarming was information that patients had been diagnosed with C. difficile and isolated as early as February 2011. One key point was common to all, our lost trust in the NHS and our government. Yet there was optimism that change could come, that with the appointment of the provincial supervisor truth may be made public. Only time will bear witness if this is a false hope. For we were ready to join with Canadians from all over Ontario in a combined voice and combined purpose.
Upon arrival to Queens Park we were greeted by a sea of waving flags representing many different interest groups. Unions such as the CAW and CUPE together with banners from the Council of Canadians and the Ontario Nurses Association, the Seniors Alliance and more. This was not a day for politics, it was to tell all candidates that we must protect our public health care system for all Ontarians.
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| The gathering of concerned Ontarians from across the province together with out yellow shirt brigade from Niagara at Queen's Park. |
The first speaker was Natalie Mehra director of the Ontario Health Coalition. As Natalie Mehra spoke the true enormity of the situation we face in Ontario became clear. We are at a crisis point in our health care system in Ontario, nothing proves that more than what we faced in Niagara through the C. difficile outbreak. Ontario Nurses Association President Linda Haslam-Stroud provided a grave warning, she said that we “face enormous risk.... the future of public health care is at risk.”
Both speakers spoke of the realities that we face here in Ontario. The combined sentiment was clear regardless of which political party was to win the coming election, health care in Ontario had to be the major issue to deal with. Following Natalie Mehra of the Ontario Health Coalition and ONA representatives was Niagara Falls Councillor Wayne Gates. Mr. Gates made public the enormity of what we face in Niagara. Ludicrous cost cutting measures that result in higher expenditures elsewhere on the balance sheet with no accounting for risk to the public. Wayne Gates brought out our sentiments towards the NHS management clearly, you should all resign! Yet the most heart breaking voice was that of Steven McMullen, the son of a woman from St. Catharines who suffered so much at the hands of a health system put in place to protect her and all of us in Niagara. Click here to listen to Steven McMullen McMullen's voice at times cracking with emotion as he read his words describing the horrors his mother faced. Listening to what Mrs. McMullen endured would shock the most hardened soul. A full public inquiry must be conducted into the NHS and its handling of the C. difficile outbreak. Since our provincial government has appointed a supervisor to run the NHS this now provides the Ombudsman of Ontario jurisdiction to conduct an inquiry. Every effort must be made to achieve this goal. A total of 39 innocent victims passed away in the Niagara area, with the greatest number here in St. Catharines. The NHS brings in a public relations professional to save its image. This professional has only one loyalty and that is to his client not the people of Niagara, not the people of St. Catharines.
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| Natalie Mehra Director of the Ontario Health Coalition |
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| Linda Haslam-Stroud President of the Ontario Nurses Association |
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| Wayne Gates Niagara Falls Councillor & President CAW Local 199 |
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| Mr. Steven McMullen |
Each speaker brought the same sentiment, health care has to be the number one priority for us all. People came from all over the province to send that message to our politicians. This was an opportunity for the three major parties to express their intentions and especially to listen to the people. Karleen Nation, a Candidate for York West to her credit came on behalf of the PC Party and braved the heckles. The NDP representative was called three times by Natalie Mehra but did not come forward to the podium. Premier McGuinty simply didn't bother. We were told they were on the election trail in Ontario. True Premier McGuinty was on the election trail but he was in Toronto. I guess he was too busy to make an appearance and listen to the people of Ontario.
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| Queen's Park represented by security guards and the long arm of the law. I wonder if that cannon was left over from the G20 Summit. |
We are faced with an election in a few short weeks. It is an opportunity to send a message to those who wish to govern. Our politicians will try and juggle many issues to appease an audience. They will speak of the economy and jobs, they will make promises on health care. We have to keep them to those promises. Minister Jim Bradley has pointed to how the Liberals have increased funding for the Niagara Health System. Then why the restructuring and massive cuts to beds, front line staff and closures of essential services? Putting those who are most vulnerable at great risk. Niagara is a frightening example of dollar value decisions over quality care gone dramatically wrong. WE HAVE HAD 39 DEATHS! Thirty nine innocent victims who went into hospital needing medical assistance and never went home to their families. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!! Yet with all the cuts and closures the management of the NHS still walks away with massive salaries. WHY? How have they earned any portion of it? I guess the PR fella will tell us how tough their job is and how they are needed. My response is simple, ask the families of those who died and how much they are worth. Ask Steven McMullen how much they are worth.
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| The march down University Ave. past hospitals and hospital staff. |
At 53 this was the first time I had been at a rally or a march. I came here for my children, for all our children and for myself. What I witnessed has left me filled with pride, that as Canadians all too often we sit in silent acceptance not on September 13th. On this day we raised our voices together as one and forgot individual ideologies for one purpose.
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| We stopped the traffic on busy University Ave. but could not get the attention of our political leaders. |
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| OR DID WE? |
We can make a change. We have to!
At first I thought that Premier McGuinty or Health Minister Deb Matthews arrived to explain what Excellent Care For All Act 2010 really meant, you know better late than never. But alas I was wrong. So we headed home.
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