Ontario’s new and more restrictive freedom-of-information laws have quashed another request, this time for documents that may have given a glimpse into potential hospital cuts.
More than 70 per cent of Ontario hospitals are forecasting deficits, and Health Minister Sylvia Jones has told them to come up with three-year plans to balance their budgets.
Any “low risk” cost-saving moves with no or “minimal” front-line reductions should be made immediately, Jones’ ministry told hospitals, and “high risk” moves with service impacts for patients should only be considered if all lower-risk options are exhausted.