An independent doctor
The NDP is tabling a bill that would amend the role of the chief medical officer of health in a bid to give the position more independence.
The private member's bill from NDP health critic France Gélinas has two principal objectives: to make the CMOH an independent officer of the legislature, and to convene a multi-party select committee during pandemics and health crises in order to have an additional avenue to ask questions and understand the latest information.
Gélinas said the part of the bill that would make the CMOH an independent officer follows up on recommendations that were made in the SARS commission years ago, but have not been implemented. "People trust physicians way more than they trust politicians," she said. Gélinas added that during public health crises difficult and unpopular decisions must be made for the greater good, and making the CMOH someone who doesn't report to the premier can help to take the politics out of the equation.
The issue has come to the forefront following the findings in a report by Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk. In it, she found that Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams was not leading the province's health command table and has often been reluctant to use the powers he has at his disposal. The PCs quickly pushed an extension of Williams' contract through the legislature over the objections of the NDP, who wanted more deliberation and the ability to ask him questions at a committee.
The premier has recently criticized independent officers of the legislature, including Lysyk and FAO Peter Weltman. Earlier in this government's mandate, they also eliminated the environmental commissioner as a standalone position and the role of the child advocate.
Poll position 
The premier saw his latest poll numbers slide in a new survey issued by the <a href="http://angusreid.org/premier-approval-december2020/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Angus Reid Institute</a>.
In the pollster's quarterly update of premier approval ratings it found that Premier Doug Ford slid 11 percentage points from its previous poll in August. That put him at 55 per cent approval, with Angus Reid noting that the premier has been trying to turn back the tide of the second wave, which has seen climbing numbers for positive cases and grey zone lockdowns in Toronto and Peel.
"From a public opinion perspective, the early days of the pandemic were a strong point for Premier Doug Ford in Ontario," the pollster said in a release. "Ford’s shift in persona enabled him to earn the approval of Ontarians previously entrenched along party lines."
The premier is still in solid territory, especially compared to where he was one year ago before the pandemic, but it could be a sign of soft support as people grow frustrated with COVID-19 fatigue and pandemic policy whiplash.
Welcoming Elliot Page
NDP MPPs extended congratulations to Elliot Page on Tuesday afternoon after the Juno and Umbrella Academy actor announced he is trans.
In social media posts Page, who is from Nova Scotia, explained his feelings about arriving at this moment, highlighting that many trans people face discrimination and violence and that he is fortunate to have the support of loved ones.
A number of NDP MPPs shared their support for Page, including Andrea Horwath, Terence Kernaghan, Jill Andrew, Jennie Stevens and Jessica Bell.
The legislature also marked a moment of silence for Trans Day of Remembrance last Thursday.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Elliot, you are brave and you are loved. Thank you for showing us your strength, fears, &amp; your caring, thoughtful self. You make it easier for others to live their truth.
You bring joy, strength, &amp; beauty into this world. Never, ever stop.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/canqueer?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#canqueer</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LGBTQ?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LGBTQ</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OnPoli?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OnPoli</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LoveWins?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LoveWins</a>🏳️‍⚧️ <a href="https://t.co/cKBtaS3LQe">https://t.co/cKBtaS3LQe</a>
&mdash; Terence Kernaghan NDP (@kernaghant) <a href="https://twitter.com/kernaghant/status/1333844307929948164?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 1, 2020</a></blockquote>
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In brief: The NDP call for an independent top doctor in PMB

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