Thank you very much for sending The Ontario Greens your organization’s questionnaire. We appreciate
the opportunity to speak on these issues that matter to those affected by cancer and their families. I am
happy to provide you with a response on behalf of the party.
Question 1: Recovery from COVID-19 disruption of cancer care in Ontario
If elected:
a) Will your government increase cancer screening and treatment capacity by a minimum of 10 per
cent over pre-pandemic levels starting in 2022 and continue for a period of three years?
Yes.
b) Will your government prioritize cancer surgeries to end the surgery backlog in 2022?
Yes.
c) Recognizing that the postponement of cancer services causes a healthcare crisis, how will your
government ensure the continuation of cancer screening, surgeries, and treatment?
We are now facing a backlog for care, with thousands of people still waiting for health care, support and
services. It’s even more challenging for rural, remote and Northern communities, where there were
staffing shortages even before the pandemic.
With surgery backlogs and an understaffed sector, now is the time to expand a publicly funded, publicly
delivered healthcare system that is equitable, accessible, and comprehensive – for all Ontarians.
We will increase year-over-year hospital base operating funding to a minimum of 5% and work with the
federal government to provide surge funding to reduce the backlog in surgeries, imaging, and other services.
We will also invest in new and expanded hospitals as needed to meet demand in high growth
areas.
We plan to address the staffing shortage in a variety of ways. We will establish a nurse-led task force to
make recommendations on matters related to the recruitment, retention and safety of nurses and
immediately repeal Bill 124 and the problematic sections of Bill 106 to allow all healthcare workers to
bargain collectively for fair wages.
Increasing nursing program enrollments, supporting certification upgrades for healthcare workers
through expanded bridging programs at publicly funded post-secondary institutions and fast-tracking
credential approvals for international healthcare workers are other examples of the approaches we will
take.
Question 2: The expansion of lung cancer screening
If elected, will your government:
a) Improve access to lung cancer screening by adding new sites in Peel, southwestern Ontario, eastern
Ontario, and northern Ontario to eliminate barriers to care?
Yes, Ontario Greens will rebalance the healthcare funding formula to ensure better access in those areas
and use incentives to bring physicians and allied health professionals to Northern and rural communities
and those communities that have traditionally been underserved. We would also create opportunities
for specialist and sub-specialist trainees to undertake electives and core rotations in the North.
b) Expand access to lung cancer screening for those who are at risk individuals who do not currently or
have never smoked, specifically including those who are determined to have incidental pulmonary
nodules?
Yes.
c) Create and fund an awareness program that will encourage people to get screened for lung cancer
and help reduce the stigma associated with the disease?
Yes.
Question 3:
If elected to government, will your party allow women to self-refer for a mammogram, starting at age
40?
Yes.
Green Party of Ontario