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 approach 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 subspecialist 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.
I hope this answers all of your questions.
If you require further details, please refer to our platform:
https://gpo.ca/platform/caring-society/
Regards,
Thomas
Thomas Yanuziello (He/Him)
MPP Candidate for Etobicoke Lakeshore
Green Party of Ontario