Just one month away from OHIP+, the government has unveiled a <a href="https://www.ontario.ca/page/check-medication-coverage/?_ga=2.204425876.506614742.1512068227-917230894.1507130254" target="_blank" rel="noopener">new digital tool</a> for Ontarians to check which drugs are covered. The mobile-friendly mechanism is meant to help determine whether medicine that residents need is included in the list of 4,400-plus covered items. The tool includes a dropdown list of suggested medications after the first few letters, suggests generic and brand-name alternates, and the circumstances in which the medication is covered. OHIP+ provides prescription coverage to children and young adults under 25, at no cost to patients.
In a statement, Health Minister Eric Hoskins said, "Our government is taking a historic step forward with OHIP+ that will ensure all young people can access the medication they need at no cost, to help them live healthier lives."
The PCs promised in the People's Guarantee to preserve OHIP+.
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Municipalities want a whiff of the government’s expected marijuana windfall.
The Association of Municipalities of Ontario is asking the province for a share of tax revenues generated by cannabis sales so towns and cities can cover costs linked to legalization, such as policing, by-law enforcement, public health and fire inspections.
A preliminary estimate found legalization could add more than $80 million to local police budgets each year, association president Lynn Dollin said in a release Thursday.
The association’s federal counterpart has made <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/cities-marijuana-revenue-1.4395422">similar demands on behalf of cities</a>. Provinces are hankering for a higher share of reefer revenue, too, with Premier Kathleen Wynne <a href="https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2017/11/10/pot-taxes-could-add-up-to-1-billion-and-would-be-split-with-the-provinces-ottawa.html">saying</a> the current plan for a 50/50 split between Ottawa and the provinces “wasn’t going to work (because) the burden of expense is going to be felt at the provincial and municipal level.”
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It's the time of year where everyone gathers around a roasting fire. That's right, the auditor general has announced when her annual report will be released. At 12 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 6, Bonnie Lysyk's report will be publicly released with a news conference in Queen's Park's Media Studio. The media lock-up will take place in Room 151 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. The report will be posted on the auditor general's website as soon as it is tabled in the legislature.
Last year's report weighed in at 1,060 pages, spread across two volumes.

In Brief: A new OHIP+ digital tool, a slice of reefer revenue and the auditor general’s big day

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