Ontario 2018 Election Campaign

We appreciate you taking the time to write to us.Doug takes each email and every idea seriously. There is nothing Doug appreciates more than hearing from everyday Ontarians and frontline workers. After all, they are the real experts in the province.

Thanks to the Wynne Liberals, hospitals across Ontario are failing. After years of mismanagement, scandals, and misspending, doctors, nurses and patients have been neglected. A Doug Ford PC government is committed to increasing the number of doctors and nurses in Ontario, reducing wait times and putting an end to hallway medicine.

Doug Ford has made it clear:

“If Kathleen Wynne had invested in doctors and nurses and patients the same way she has invested in new senior health care bureaucrats, then every town would have a doctor, wait times would be a thing of the past and patients wouldn’t be stuck on stretchers in our hospital hallways.”

Ontario’s health care system deserves change that will respect both patients and healthcare professionals. If Doug is elected Premier of Ontario he will prioritize opening up 30,000 new long-term care beds across the province, invest $1.9 billion in mental health care ($3.8 billion in total after a matching investment by the federal government), and provide free dental to low-income seniors. A PC government will end the scandals, and focus on the people that matter most: our doctors, nurses and patients.

If you would like to speak in greater detail regarding your issue, please contact us after the election and someone from our health care team will be able to follow up with you.

To read more on Doug’s plan to bring relief to families and make Ontario a place of prosperity again, visit, https://www.ontariopc.ca/plan_for_the_people.

Now is the time to show your support and vote! Election Day is next Thursday, June 7th. You may also vote at your local returning office from May 31st to June 6th. Don’t forget to bring identification that shows your name and current residential address. If you are on the Voters List, bring your Voter Information Card.

Help us to spread the word that the Ontario PC Party is the only Party For The People. Please follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay in touch and if you need to find out where to vote, visithttps://www.elections.on.ca/

Thank you
Team Doug Ford

• We have increased funding for stem cell transplants over the last four years by 600%
• We launched Canada’s first province-wide colorectal cancer screening program, to combat the second deadliest form of cancer in the country
• We integrated screening reminders for breast, cervical and colorectal cancer into one coordinated system
• We expanded our publicly-funded HPV vaccine program to include boys to help protect more youth from human papillomavirus infection and related cancers

Our plan will invest an additional $822 to hospital operating funding — $92 million dedicated to targeted investments to improve access and reduce wait times for specific hospital procedures, including chemotherapy and cancer surgery. Working with patients and people with lived experience Ontario Liberals will advance the continuum of patient care available so that there are more supports and health services available for cancer patients and survivors. Our plan is also investing in over $650 million for more home care hours and expanded services and it includes a historic investment of $2.1 billion for mental health which includes access to publicly-funded psychotherapy.

This is a very personal cause for me since my father has been battling colon cancer for years. I would most definitely like to be part of the Canadian Cancer Survivor Network’s All-party Cancer Caucus if elected.

The Liberal Party is committed to ensuring that all patients, including cancer patients, have access to the medications they need to be healthy.Ontario Liberals historic expansion of medicare means all children and youth under 25 currently have access to free oral cancer drugs. Starting in August 2019 all seniors over 65 will also have access to oral cancer drugs listed on the Ontario Drug Benefit Formulary completely free. The ODB program already covers many take-home cancer drugs for eligible recipients, including oral chemotherapy. Since 2015, 89 per cent of those requiring cancer drugs have been covered, including seniors, residents of long-term care homes and recipients of social assistance. In the last five years, we have funded an additional an additional 70 cancer drugs. Ontario also funds injectable cancer drugs in outpatient settings through the New Drug Funding Program (NDFP). We recognize the importance of access to medication as we have demonstrated with our commitment to pharmacare through the creation of OHIP+ and will be expanding it to include seniors. Ontario Liberals are committed to ensuring that everyone regardless of age or disease have access to the medications they need. Ontario Liberals increased funding for oral cancer drugs by 25% last year bringing the total spend to $467 million. The NDPs plan proposes an increase of 9% for take home cancer drugs. Ontario Liberals are committed to further expansion of pharmacare and ensuring access to medication is not a barrier for patients when transitioning from hospital to home. As in free screening for breast cancer I do support free PSA screening for men.

I hope I have answered your questions but please feel free to contact me again.  Thank you again for reaching out as this is a topic near and dear to me.

Question 1a response: Ontario Liberals have a strong track record of investing in health care services in the community. Our plan will invest in more rehabilitation services for cancer survivors. Cancer rehabilitation in the form of occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech language pathology are available across cancer centres, with additional services made available in some regions specific to cancer (e.g. St John’s Rehab, Toronto Rehab). Patients may access services through home and community care if they are eligible and this is managed through the LHINs. We will work with groups such as the Cancer Survivor Network to continue to ensure that these services meet the needs of cancer survivors. Our plan is also investing in over $650 million for more home care hours and expanded services and it includes a historic investment of $2.1 billion for mental health which includes access to publicly-funded psychotherapy.

Question 1b response: Yes, I would.

Question 2 response: Ontario Liberals are very proud to have introduced OHIP+ so that prescription drugs are free for everyone under 25 in Ontario. Over 4 million free prescriptions have already been filled since the introduction of OHIP+ in January, 2018. And as part of our plan starting in August 2019 all seniors 65 and older will have access to prescription drugs completely free, no co-pay, no deductible. And we will work to get to national pharmacare, because that is the best way forward. But irrespective of whether we get to full national pharmacare, we will not stop until all Ontarians are covered. We recognize all of the leadership that cancer patient groups have played in championing the need for affordable and accessible drug programs. We are
committed to ensuring that all patients, including cancer patients, have access to the medications they need to be healthy.

Question 2b repsonse: Ontario Liberals historic expansion of medicare means all children and youth under 25 currently have access to free oral cancer drugs. Starting in August 2019 all seniors over 65 will also have access to oral cancer drugs listed on the Ontario Drug Benefit Formulary completely free. The ODB program already covers many take-home cancer drugs for eligible recipients, including oral chemotherapy. Since 2015, 89 per cent of those requiring cancer drugs have been covered, including seniors, residents of long-term care homes and recipients of social assistance. Ontario also funds injectable cancer drugs in outpatient settings through the New Drug Funding Program (NDFP). We recognize the importance of access to medication as we have demonstrated with our commitment to pharmacare - OHIP+, low income seniors program and the next step OHIP+ for Seniors. Ontario Liberals are committed to ensuring that everyone regardless of age or disease to have access to the medications they need. Ontario Liberals increased funding for oral cancer drugs by 25% last year bringing the total spend to $467 million. The NDP’s plan proposes an increase of
9% for take home cancer drugs. Ontario Liberals are committed to further expansion of pharmacare and ensuring access to medication is not a barrier for patients when transitioning from hospital to home

Question 3 answer: Ontario is a leader in cancer care. We have a system that has the best survival rates for prostate, breast, colorectal and lung cancers in Canada. We know that cancer survivors can experience challenges accessing the care they need to support their recovery and healing process. Ontario Liberals are committed to changing that. Working with patients and people with lived experience Ontario Liberals will advance the continuum of patient care available so that there are more supports and health survivors available for cancer survivors, including those struggling
with lymphedema.

Question 4: PSA Screening in Ontario: Ontario Liberals are responsible for a comprehensive cancer screening program. We launched the Cancer Screening Program and it is saving lives. It is imperative that Ontarians get screened for cancer, and we have worked hard to expand screening services and availability across the province. We are committed to working with clinicians and patient groups to ensure our cancer screening is evidence-based and protecting Ontarians.

Our plan is also investing in over $650 million for more home care hours and expanded services and it includes a historic investment of $2.1 billion for mental health which includes access to publicly-funded psychotherapy.

I was proud to announce OHIP+ program, so that prescription drugs are free for everyone under 25 in Ontario. Over 4 million free prescriptions have already been filled since the introduction of it in January, 2018.

Also, beginning in August 2019, all seniors, 65 and older will have access to prescription drugs, no fees…no co-pay…no deductible.

We will work to get to national pharmacare, because that is the best way forward. But irrespective of whether we get to full national pharmacare, we will not stop until all Ontarians are covered.

We recognize all of the leadership that cancer patient groups have played in championing the need for affordable and accessible drug programs. We are committed to ensuring that all patients, including cancer patients, have access to the medications they need to be healthy.

The historic expansion of medicare means all children and youth under 25 currently have access to free oral cancer drugs. Starting in August 2019, all seniors over 65 will also have access to oral cancer drugs listed on the Ontario Drug Benefit Formulary completely free.

The ODB program already covers many take-home cancer drugs for eligible recipients, including oral chemotherapy. Since 2015, 89 per cent of those requiring cancer drugs have been covered, including seniors, residents of long-term care homes and recipients of social assistance.

Ontario also funds injectable cancer drugs in outpatient settings through the New Drug Funding Program (NDFP).

We have increased funding for oral cancer drugs by 25% last year bringing the total spend to $467 million. The NDP’s plan proposes an increase of 9% for take home cancer drugs.

Ontario is a leader in cancer care, and we have a system that has the best survival rates for prostate, breast, colorectal and lung cancers in Canada,

We know that cancer survivors can experience challenges accessing the care they need to support their recovery and healing process. Ontario Liberals are committed to changing that. We

are also committed to further expansion of pharmacare and ensuring access to medication is not a barrier for patients when transitioning from hospital to home.

Working with patients and people with lived experience, we will advance the continuum of patient care available so that there are more supports and health survivors available for cancer survivors, including those struggling with lymphedema.

Ontario Liberals are responsible for a comprehensive cancer screening program. We launched the Cancer Screening Program and it is saving lives. It is imperative that Ontarians get screened for cancer, and we have worked hard to expand screening services and availability across the province.

We are committed to working with clinicians and patient groups to ensure our cancer screening is evidence-based and protecting Ontarians.

Regards,

Kathryn McGarry

Dear Ms. Manthorne,

It is true that nearly 1 in 2 Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer, and 1 in 4 will die from it. All of us are touched by it. We all know somebody who has it or has had.

Timely access to rehab services for cancer survivors that are free is important. Our government’s demonstrated dedication to health care which is exemplified by the fact that since 2003, we have increased investments in health care each and every year. Last year we invested nearly half-a-billion dollars in Ontario Hospitals, and as a result both the Fraser Institute and Wait Time Allianceconsistently ranked Ontario as having some of the shortest wait times in Ontario.

In our 2018 budget, we committed an additional investment of $5 billion in our health care system, which includes over $822 in funding increases to Ontario hospitals, including cancer care. Our government also committed to introduce a new Ontario Drug and Dental Program for individuals and their families who are not covered in an extended health plan, starting summer 2019.

In regards to PSA, our government announced on February 9th of this year that; OHIP will now cover the cost of a PSA test if authorized by a physician/nurse practitioners. We also authorized community labs to do the test rather than just hospital labs, which will make it much easier for men to receive the test. The Canadian Prostate Cancer Network called this initiative “a big step in the right direction”.

Right here in Ottawa Centre Yasir worked hard to ensure that $162 Million dollars was invested into the expansion of the Ottawa Heart Institute to provide world-class care to our residents. He pushed for the expansion of the Centretown, Somerset West and Carlington community health centres, giving patients better access to health care in our community. And just last a few weeks ago Yasir announced that his party would invest up to 1.8 billion dollars to build a new civic campus of the Ottawa Hospital. This will transform it into a 21st century facility with modern equipment and spaces, boosting the hospital’s capacity to provide edge care for Ottawa families.

There is still a lot to be done and if re-elected, Yasir will continue to serve as an MPP who is accessible and hard-working. We share a singular common goal: the betterment of the citizens of Ottawa centre and Ontario as a whole.

We hope we can count on your support Today!

Please note that the following MPP's responded to CCSN's questions with the Ontario NDP's official response that is provided further below.

- Chandra Pasma (Ottawa West-Nepean)

- Eleanor Fast (Ottawa South)

- Elizabeth Van Houtte (Simcoe North)

- Jessica Bell (University-Rosedale)

- John Hansen (Kanata Carleton)

- Katrina Sale (Aurora-Oak Ridges - Richmond Hill)

- Lisa Gretzky (Windsor West)

- Lise Vaugeois (Thunder Bay-Superior North)

- Marit Stiles (Davenport)

- Micheal O'Brien (Perth-Wellington)

- Monique Taylor (Hamilton Mountain)

- Micheal Mantha (Algoma-Manitoulin)

- Nikki Clarke (Mississauga-Malton)

- Peggy Sattler (London West)

- Rima Berns McGown (Beaches-East York)

- Sylvie David (Markham-Unionville)

- Teresa Armstrong (London-Fanshawe)

- Todd Case (Lambton-Kent-Middlesex)

Thank you for reaching out on behalf of the Canadian Cancer Survivor Network (CCSN) – and by extension, cancer patients and survivors as well as their families and friends who have also been affected. We also thank you for the important work your network is doing in advocating for the highest standard of care, support, follow up, and quality of life for cancer patients and survivors.

The reality is that more Ontarians are living with cancer than ever before, with an estimated 86,000 new diagnoses each year. The good news is that therapies and outcomes are improving every day. Although cancer is still the leading cause of death in
Ontario, the chances of survival are increasing with every new medical advancement.

Too often, however, we are not making the most of those advances. For example, innovative new therapies allow cancer patients to take medication orally at home, instead of having to visit the hospital for lengthy IV treatments. Unfortunately, unlike in-hospital IV treatments, the cost of the oral medication is not covered.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

Every patient battling cancer deserves to know their government is completely behind them in their fight. New Democrats strongly believe that everyone diagnosed with cancer should have timely access to cancer care and essential medical services as well as access to emergency rooms and the treatment and medications they need.

Andrea Horwath and the NDP will publicly fund take-home cancer medication. We will also remove the stressful application barriers and delays for drug coverage that have plagued the Trillium Drug Program. We will work with Cancer Care Ontario, CCSN, health care professionals, hospitals, and the Canadian Cancer Society, among others, to improve cancer care for all Ontarians and help families navigate the cancer care system.

Our investment in Ontario hospitals will help to reduce wait times for biopsies, MRIs, and CT scans. The earlier diagnoses will allow more timely treatment, improving patients’ chances of survival and recovery — and avoiding the costs of treating more advanced cancers.

Further, we will reduce regional disparities in access to cancer treatment. No matter where they live, every cancer patient deserves access to the urgent care they need and as close to home as possible. We will increase access to supports for patients and their families, including psychosocial support, symptom-management support, and education about take-home cancer drugs. We will also address the worrisome lack of oversight and patient protection when it comes to cancer drug therapy at private clinics. Additionally, we will develop a provincial strategy for urgently expanding Ontario’s capacity for stem-cell transplants by the third year of our mandate, including streamlining and expediting capital projects.

In addition to our plan to guarantee universal, free access to take-home cancer drugs, Andrea Horwath and the NDP have committed to several other historic investments in health care. While the Liberal government’s OHIP+ program has left millions of people without prescription drug coverage, an NDP government will make Ontario the first province with universal pharmacare by 2020 — so every Ontarian can get the medication they need. It will mean lower costs, less worrying, and better health for everyone. Unlike the Liberal government’s plan, nobody will be excluded. Pharmacare will begin with universal coverage for approximately 125 essential medicines – chosen through an independent process led by the Committee to Evaluate Drugs. We will work to expand this list as quickly as possible. Our other health care commitments include providing hospital funding that keeps up with inflation and community needs, including $1.2 billion in immediate investments, and issuing a moratorium on any further layoffs of frontline care workers.

New Democrats are committed to doing everything a government can do to relieve the worry patients and families feel after a cancer diagnosis. We will endeavour to give everyone facing a battle with cancer the best fighting chance by making the treatment their doctor prescribes available, and free, no matter when and where they need it. That’s change for the better, and we look forward to getting to work.

Best,
Ontario’s New Democrats

Dear Jackie,

With more Ontarians living with cancer than ever before, investment in cancer care and support is urgent. With an average cost of $77,000 for take-home cancer drugs, this is far more than families in Ontario can afford. Every patient battling cancer deserves to know their government is completely behind them in their fight. That is why under a New Democrat government, we will guarantee universal, free access to take-home cancer drugs.

We will increase access to support programs for patients and their families, including psychosocial support, symptom management support, and education about take-home cancer drugs as well as remove the stressful application barriers and delays for drug coverage that have plagued the Trillium Drug Program. We will work with Cancer Care Ontario, health care professionals, hospitals, and the Canadian Cancer Society, among others, to improve cancer care for all Ontarians and help families navigate the cancer care system.

Our investment in Ontario hospitals will help to reduce wait times for biopsies, MRIs, and CT scans. The earlier diagnoses will allow more timely treatment, improving patients’ chances of survival and recovery — and avoiding the costs of treating more advanced cancers.

In addition, we will reduce regional disparities in access to cancer treatment. No matter where they live, every cancer patient deserves access to the urgent care they need and as close to home as possible.

We will also address the worrisome lack of oversight and patient protection when it comes to cancer drug therapy at private clinics. Additionally, we will develop a provincial strategy for urgently expanding Ontario’s capacity for stem-cell transplants by the third year of our mandate, including streamlining and expediting capital projects.

The NDP is committed to a Smoke-Free Ontario. In 2009, for example, NDP Health Critic, France Gelinas, fought against cuts to Smoke-Free Ontario programs – which included investments in prevention, cessation, and public education. We can do more to deliver better health care and help everyone lead a healthier life — wherever they are.

That’s why New Democrats will be making other historic investments in health care. While the Liberal government’s OHIP+ program has left millions of people without prescription drug coverage, an NDP government will make Ontario the first province with universal pharmacare by 2020 — so every Ontarian can get the medication they need. Unlike the Liberal government’s plan, nobody will be excluded. Pharmacare will begin with universal coverage for approximately 125 essential medicines – chosen through an independent process led by the Committee to Evaluate Drugs.

New Democrats are committed to doing everything a government can do to reduce the burden cancer has on patients and their families. Our plan for cancer care offers better treatment and better choices for patients That’s change for the better, and we look forward to getting to work.

Best,

Catherine Fife’s Campaign

Hi Jackie,

Thanks so much for reaching out regarding this important survey. It is my understanding that the NDP has already provided a response to the CCSN. Do you require anything further from us?

Dear Jackie,

Thank you for your email, and for the opportunity to learn about the Canadian Cancer Survivor Network. Like so many Canadians, my life has been touched by cancer through friends and loved ones who have survived cancer, and through some who did not.

Andrea Horwath and the NDP believe that delivering quality public health care is the most important thing our provincial government does. The platform of the Ontario New Democratic Party calls for a fully funded, fully public healthcare system that is centered on what communities need to lead healthy lives. I encourage you to read our platform, especially the section on health care.

I can assure you that if the voters of Mississauga Centre elect me as their provincial representative, I will fight tirelessly and fearlessly for their needs, including healthcare and all the supports that cancer survivors need.

Thank you for the important and valuable work you do on behalf of cancer survivors. I’ve done a lot of grassroots advocacy, so I know how challenging — and rewarding — it can be. No matter who is elected on June 7, I know you will keep up your excellent work and make a difference in people’s lives.

Best regards,

Laura

Thank you for reaching out to me and giving me the opportunity to respond to you and your organization with our party’s commitment to cancer patients and cancer survivors. I want to thank you also for the work that you and your organization do on behalf of the thousands of cancer patients and cancer survivors in Ontario.

I want to thank you for taking the time to write to me about these very important issues and I look forward to working further with the CCSN on these issues when elected.

If elected, an NDP government would eliminate wait lists for personal support services, making services more accessible and decreasing the risk of cancers developing further, while detecting cancers earlier to prevent future risks. The NDP is committed to reducing regional disparities in access to cancer treatment. Where someone lives should not determine their quality and access to care, which is why we will increase access to supports for patients and their families, including psychosocial support, symptom-management support and education about take-home cancer drugs.

Question 1a response:

The Green Party is dedicated to health promotion and education to encourage all Ontarians to lead the healthiest lives possible. We will achieve this by strengthening support for community based health care and clinics and comprehensive support of primary health care providers. For things such as nutrition, occupational therapy and associated services we would expand access to multiservice and integrated primary care models such as family health teams, nurse-practitioner led clinics, and community care centres. We plan to bring mental health services under OHIP+ to better serve the mental health needs of all Ontarians, including those dealing with the psychological challenges of surviving cancer.

Question 1b response:

Yes.

Question 2b response:

Our commitment to strengthening primary health systems and community care centers is intended to provide the services people need, where and when they need them.  I will follow through on that commitment.  

Question 4 response:

The Green Party is committed to ensure that health promotion and illness prevention are at the center of our health care system. We support implementing best practices based on the best available evidence. Where that indicates that early screening for things like prostate cancer prevents illness, we would support such measures.

Please let me know if you want to know anything else.

Mark Vercouteren Green Party Candidate for the Chatham Kent Leamington riding

We all have first-hand experience with challenges in our current system, including long wait times in emergency rooms, for specialists and tests, and for appropriate long-term care. Many of us also face the challenge of being unable to find a family doctor or primary care provider.

The Green Party of Ontario believes in a publicly funded health care system accountable to the public, focused on people’s needs.

Our vision seeks to make sure that access to health care is available when you need it, that it supports keeping us in good health, and that public health policy development considers the social determinants of health.

In short, we believe in a people-centred approach to health.

We take a comprehensive view of health care by using smart investments to improve our current system, making health promotion and early intervention a top priority, improving the care available to Ontario’s changing demographics and ensuring sufficient resources are allocated to mental health.

The good news is that there are solutions for the way forward. The real issue is that these solutions require political commitment and thinking that extends beyond the four-year election cycle. This is the type of leadership the Green Party is committed to providing.

Support hospitals and health care facilities

• Reduce overcrowding in hospitals with a system wide strategy to better use existing resources in home care, long-term care, nurse-led clinics, primary care and community care.
• Develop a health care capacity plan to reopen hospital beds, operating rooms and services based on the population’s need for care.
• Create an integrated funding structure for health care, based on quality outcomes that will ensure that the best care is provided by the most appropriate and cost effective provider.
• Expand the number of and access to Nurse Practitioner led clinics in all parts of the province.
• Increase the number of Nurse Practitioners in long-term care, mental health care and acute care facilities to improve patient care and outcomes.

• Increase funding for Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) that are struggling to fulfill their downloaded mandate from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and provide dedicated funds that ensure enhanced collaboration with various partners, including District Social Services Administration Boards (DSSABs), to enhance the integration and delivery of public services.

Improve primary care and community health care

• Commit to comprehensive primary health care as the foundation of the health system so that every person in Ontario has timely access to a primary health care provider and to ensure that health promotion, illness prevention and community well-being are at the centre of our health system.
• Provide every Ontarian with electronic access to their personal health records.
• Provide insurance claimants with clear, fair and thorough guidelines on how to proceed with their claims and ensure the accountability of insurers to their clients through an independent and objective regulatory process to ensure fair evaluation, support and compensation for victims of injuries.
• Expand access to multiservice and integrated primary care models such as family health teams, nurse-led clinics, community care centres, and Indigenous health access centres.
• Mandate training for primary health care practitioners on the health care needs of trans and gender-diverse people.
• Support increased midwifery training and birthing centres and ensure accessibility of obstetricians in case of birth complications at birthing centres.
• Expand the number of abortion clinics in Ontario, including in the north. All but one of Ontario’s clinics are situated in the GTA or Ottawa.
• Improve the level of care in residential homes for people with severe disabilities, including increased funding and strict guidelines for proper care, and more vigilant auditing and inspections.
• Support and fund programs for children of all ages with autism.
• Create more meaningful day programs for all levels of special needs individuals after graduating from high school.

Support health care providers

• Prioritize health care investment in frontline services rather than administration.
• Ensure all care providers are working at their full scope of practice.
• Provide equal pay for equal work across all health care sectors.
• Provide all health care professionals with mental health and addictions training.

• Designate the Ontario Personal Support Worker Association as the self-governing regulatory body of personal support workers in Ontario, to increase the accountability of those who provide care to vulnerable populations, and to ensure reasonable working conditions for personal support workers.

Increase options for rural health care

• Empower Nurse Practitioners as primary health care providers especially in areas that lack primary care options.
• Increase funding for telemedicine, including telepsychiatry, and full-scale Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) teams in rural areas.
• Establish a full list of core services, including specialized health services, that ensure their availability within every Local Health Integration Network (LHIN).
• Support special public transit services for rural residents to access health care.

Expand public health services

• Embed the principles of the social determinants of health in our approach to health care: this includes income and social status; food security; social support networks; education; employment/working conditions; social environments; physical environments; personal health practices and coping skills; healthy child development; gender; and culture.
• Develop a Lyme disease strategy for Ontario which coordinates with the Federal Framework on Lyme Disease Act, including an education campaign to raise awareness of Lyme disease, which is on the rise due to climate change.
• Include treatment for Lyme Disease as part of OHIP so people with Lyme do not suffer financial hardship to obtain the health care they need.
• Develop a provincial strategy to support people with chemical and environmental sensitivities to have access to and participate in public spaces, and find accessible and safe housing.
• Implement a school food program to ensure students have access to healthy, local sustainable food.
• Support community food hubs to empower people to grow and make their own food, to improve food literacy and to support community gardens and kitchens.

Reinstate the Eat Right program that helps individuals and families make healthy food choices.

Question 2: Timely access to medications

A key element of ensuring timely treatment for a cancer patient is ensuring they have access to the medications they need at the time they need them. Unfortunately, this is not always the case in Ontario, where the cost of oral drugs is not covered.

If elected to government, will you commit to ensuring that:

1. A)All cancer patients in Ontario receive timely access to the medications they need when they need them?
2. B)The cost of oral cancer drugs is covered?

Response:

Make dental and pharmacare universally accessible

• Implement a universal dental care program. Dental health is directly linked to an individual’s overall health and an important part of a health promotion strategy.
• Push for a federally funded Pharmacare program, and in the absence of a federal program, extend a provincially funded Pharmacare program to provide all Ontarians with access to medicine.

Question 3: Lymphedema

Lymphedema is a chronic health condition with many faces. Some people are born with it, while others develop it later in life, often after treatment for some cancers. An estimated one million Canadians suffer with this progressive condition that can have lifelong physical, emotional and financial implications for patients and their families. Approximately 387,000 Ontarians are living with lymphedema, with up to one in four breast cancer survivors developing lymphedema at some point in their lives.

If elected to government, will you commit to ensuring that cancer patients and survivors and other Ontarians with lymphedema receive timely and free treatment for this health condition?

Response:

Advance long-term care and home care

• Monitor and improve the quality of care in long-term care homes and reduce wait times for elder care.
• Ensure staff of long-term care facilities have proper resources to appropriately address the needs of residents that require complex care such as mental illness and addictions, acquired brain injury, and/or brain disorders including dementia.
• Increase funding for home and community care to provide support for people to live at home longer.
• Invest additional resources to improve the availability of assisted living and transitional living for seniors.
• Provide support for family members who care for an infirm relative full time.
• Develop and fund research into smart home technology to enable us to age in place and stay in our communities.

Question 4: PSA Screening in Ontario

Is your party in favour of implementing free PSA testing for prostate cancer in Ontario as a population-wide screening tool?

If not, please explain how your party would ensure that Ontario men will have access to early diagnosis of prostate cancer.

We thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Response:

• Commit to comprehensive primary health care as the foundation of the health system so that every person in Ontario has timely access to a primary health care provider and to ensure that health promotion, illness prevention and community well-being are at the centre of our health system.

Question 1a response:

The Green Party is dedicated to health promotion and education to encourage all Ontarians to lead the healthiest lives possible. We will achieve this by strengthening support for community based health care and clinics and comprehensive support of primary health care providers. For things such as nutrition, occupational therapy and associated services we would expand access to multiservice and integrated primary care models such as family health teams, nurse-practitioner led clinics, and community care centres. We plan to bring mental health services under OHIP+ to better serve the mental health needs of all Ontarians, including those dealing with the psychological challenges of surviving cancer.

Question 1b response:

Yes.

Question 2a response:

The Green Party is dedicated to improving access to medications for all Ontarians. We plan to push the federal government to establish a comprehensive Pharmacare program for all Canadians. Following that, we would extend the Ontario Pharmacare program to cover all Ontarians not just the young and the elderly. 

Question 2b response:

The medicines needed to treat cancer would be covered under a comprehensive Pharmacare program that we would fight to establish.

Question 3 response:

Our commitment to strengthening primary health systems and community care centers is intended to provide the services people need, where and when they need them. 

Question 4 response:

The Green Party is committed to ensure that health promotion and illness prevention are at the center of our health care system. We support implementing best practices based on the best available evidence. Where that indicates that early screening for things like prostate cancer prevents illness, we would support such measures.

Hi Jackie,

The Ontario Health Coalition has provided resources and questions for the 2018 election campaign. The link can be found here.