Before question period, Speaker Ted Arnott introduced the new crop of pages, which is always adorable. The tweens each took a bow to applause from MPPs as Arnott read their name and riding. The intros ended with a standing ovation as if the premier had just spoken.
Bill 7 and health-care privatization
NDP interim leader Peter Tabuns called on Premier Doug Ford (who was absent until about 11:15, perhaps prepping for his meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau) to yank his controversial legislation that would put hospital patients in long-term care homes not of their choosing.
Long-Term Care Minister Paul Calandra said PCs will continue to "fight for seniors" who want better care.
Liberal health critic Adil Shamji — a former emergency physician and medical director at homeless shelters — later followed up, saying the bill violates patient rights.
"True patient consent must pass three tests. The patient must be capable. They must be fully informed. They must give their consent voluntarily and freely," he said. "Bill 7 doesn’t even pretend to ask for patient consent."
Calandra said medical professionals "all agree" with the bill's intent of getting ALC patients out of hospital beds and into LTC homes.
Many advocates and health experts have <a href="https://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/news/niagara-region/2022/08/29/bill-7-blames-elderly-and-people-with-disabilities-for-health-care-crisis-york-u-professor-tells-niagara-forum.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">spoken up</a> against the bill itself, though. Geriatrician Dr. Samir Sinha, for instance, has said seniors should <a href="https://globalnews.ca/news/9083058/domino-effect-family-doctor-ltc-shortages-er/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">have a right</a> to decide where to live. Palliative care physician Dr. Amit Arya has said many of his patients who don't speak English well should be <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-hospital-patients-ltc-human-rights-1.6562413" target="_blank" rel="noopener">able to wait</a> for homes that speak their language.
Nursing
NDP MPP Jamie West asked how the government was dealing with private nursing agencies — which charge much higher rates than regular nurses — "profiteering" off the staffing crisis.
It was then Health Minister Sylvia Jones' turn to rattle off some spending numbers.
NDP MPP Guy Bourgouin asked for a plan for Kashechewan First Nation, where only three nurses are available and can only provide emergency care.
Jones said she was aware of the issue but didn't put forward a specific plan to deal with it beyond funding that's already been announced.
Health unit amalgamation
NDP MPP Lise Vaugeois said she was concerned about the government's plan to combine the Kenora, Rainy River and Thunder Bay health units into one "absurdly large" unit that would put "people's lives at risk."
Jones decided to talk instead about her expansion of a program that <a href="https://www.qpbriefing.com/2022/08/17/amo-2022-government-expanding-program-to-divert-9-1-1-calls-from-ers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lets paramedics take people to places other than hospitals</a>.
Homelessness and addiction
Green Leader Mike Schreiner said the government needs to get serious about homelessness and addiction, noting the Ontario Big City Mayors Caucus has been asking for a meeting on the topic for months.
Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Michael Tibollo said, "There isn’t a mayor anywhere in the province of Ontario that has requested a meeting and not gotten one with myself."
READ MORE: <a href="https://www.qpbriefing.com/2022/08/16/mayors-say-ford-government-ignoring-plea-for-emergency-addictions-meeting/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mayors say Ford government ignoring plea for ’emergency’ addictions meeting</a>
After Schreiner's questions, Ford went over and spoke with him. The chat ended with smiles and handshakes, but the Green leader seemed intent on getting his point across.
Schreiner wouldn't tell QP Briefing what he and the premier spoke about.
"I will say it was related to my question, but I'm not going to go any further," he said.
Asked how he felt after the discussion, he said, "Ask me in a few weeks."

Your question period briefing: Turning the page

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