Fight Back with Libby Znaimer

Ontario's Health Minister Christine Elliott has announced that local and provincial health networks will be merged into one super agency as part of the government's plan to overhaul the health care system.  The announcement was made prior to tabling legislation making the changes official.  The planned overhaul will see the government create a new agency called "Ontario Health".  It will consist of all fourteen of the province's local health integration networks, as well as other agencies such as Cancer Care Ontario, eHealth Ontario, and the Trillium Gift of Life Network.  Under the government's plan Ontario Health Teams will be established to provide seamless access to health services.

When a draft version of the bill was leaked late last month the NDP warned that the system change would mean more privatization, but the Minister says we should not worry.  Should we?   On the line to tell us was Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, The Honourable Christeen Elliott.  Laura Tamblyn Watts, National Director of Law, Policy and Research, CARP joined Libby to comment.

We learned today what health care will look like as Doug Ford's Tory government unveiled sweeping changes to the province's health care system.

Multiple government sources had earlier confirmed that Health and Long Term Care Minister Christine Elliott was to reveal details of the creation of a healthcare super agency with plans to dissolve the province's 14 Local Health Integration Network's (LHINs). The LHINs currently manage funds for hospitals, long-term care homes, and community health centres. Early in February, the NDP leaked a government draft bill which first revealed the super agency plan. At the time, Elliott said the bill was "just a draft" and that the NDP were "fear mongering" when it came to concerns they raised about potential privatization of services. In the days that followed, it was revealed that cabinet had already approved various actions as part of the new healthcare plan. Today the plan was announced.

Libby spoke with Francesca Grosso, Principal, Grosso McCarthy Strategy; Peter Tabuns MPP (NDP Toronto—Danforth); Dr. Nadia Alam, President of the Ontario Medical Association; and Dr. Bob Bell, Former Deputy Minister of Health and Long-Term Care and former CEO of the University Health Network.

We learned today what health care will look like as Doug Ford's Tory government unveiled sweeping changes to the province's health care system.

Multiple government sources had earlier confirmed that Health and Long Term Care Minister Christine Elliott was to reveal details of the creation of a healthcare super agency with plans to dissolve the province's 14 Local Health Integration Network's (LHINs). The LHINs currently manage funds for hospitals, long-term care homes, and community health centres. Early in February, the NDP leaked a government draft bill which first revealed the super agency plan. At the time, Elliott said the bill was "just a draft" and that the NDP were "fear mongering" when it came to concerns they raised about potential privatization of services. In the days that followed, it was revealed that cabinet had already approved various actions as part of the new healthcare plan. Today the plan was announced.

Libby spoke with Francesca Grosso, Principal, Grosso McCarthy Strategy; Peter Tabuns MPP (NDP Toronto—Danforth); Dr. Nadia Alam, President of the Ontario Medical Association; and Dr. Bob Bell, Former Deputy Minister of Health and Long-Term Care and former CEO of the University Health Network.

Jagmeet Singh has won a crucial by-election in B-C's Burnaby South riding, securing the federal New Democrat leader a much-needed seat in the House of Commons. The 40-year-old has lacked a voice in Parliament since becoming federal leader about 18 months ago. Singh told his supporters that they made history last night. Singh's victory will help to reduce the discontent within the party over his leadership. Despite his win, the party's difficulties remain. In another by-election the NDP was defeated in the Outremont, a Montreal-area riding held since 2007 by former leader Tom Mulcair. Rachel Bendayan reclaimed the seat for the Liberals.

In the other federal by-election the Conservatives handily hung onto York-Simcoe won by Scot Davidson with 53 per cent of the vote.

Political commentator and journalist Tom Parkin; and John Mykytyshyn, President of Bradgate Research Group shared their thoughts with Libby.

Jagmeet Singh has won a crucial by-election in B-C's Burnaby South riding, securing the federal New Democrat leader a much-needed seat in the House of Commons. The 40-year-old has lacked a voice in Parliament since becoming federal leader about 18 months ago. Singh told his supporters that they made history last night. Singh's victory will help to reduce the discontent within the party over his leadership. Despite his win, the party's difficulties remain. In another by-election the NDP was defeated in the Outremont, a Montreal-area riding held since 2007 by former leader Tom Mulcair. Rachel Bendayan reclaimed the seat for the Liberals.

In the other federal by-election the Conservatives handily hung onto York-Simcoe won by Scot Davidson with 53 per cent of the vote.

Political commentator and journalist Tom Parkin; and John Mykytyshyn, President of Bradgate Research Group shared their thoughts with Libby.

For years the Canadian government has avoided the question of what to do with returning ISIS fighters and their families. As many as 5,000 alleged ISIS fighters and their families are being held in makeshift prisons in Syria. The number is swelling daily as ISIS loses its final strongholds in eastern Syria. As many as 32 Canadians are currently held by the U.S-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, a Kurdish-led group that's been fighting ISIS. Some of the Canadians in custody were captured in battle. Others include two women believed to be from Ontario and Alberta, who surrendered to the SDF along with their children last week after fleeing one of the last ISIS-controlled villages in Syria. if suspected militants are returned to Canada, prosecuting them for their actions overseas presents significant challenges.

 

Libby speaks with security experts Ross MacLean and Phil Gurski about the worrying situation.

For years the Canadian government has avoided the question of what to do with returning ISIS fighters and their families. As many as 5,000 alleged ISIS fighters and their families are being held in makeshift prisons in Syria. The number is swelling daily as ISIS loses its final strongholds in eastern Syria. As many as 32 Canadians are currently held by the U.S-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, a Kurdish-led group that's been fighting ISIS. Some of the Canadians in custody were captured in battle. Others include two women believed to be from Ontario and Alberta, who surrendered to the SDF along with their children last week after fleeing one of the last ISIS-controlled villages in Syria. if suspected militants are returned to Canada, prosecuting them for their actions overseas presents significant challenges.

 

Libby speaks with security experts Ross MacLean and Phil Gurski about the worrying situation.

It looks to be an active week in political affairs at the Federal and Provincial levels with a number of stories that just won't go away.

 

On the federal front, the S-N-C-Lavalin affair is likely to stay in the headlines this week, with the opposition parties promising to keep the pressure on the Prime MInister to appear before the Commons justice committee probing the controversy. The Conservatives plan to introduce a motion today calling on Justin Trudeau to take questions from the committee for two hours -- under oath -- and no later than March 15th. Ex-attorney general Jody Wilson-Raybould is expected to appear before the panel as early as Tuesday. Add to this the ongoing prosecution of Vice Admiral Mark Norman on the east coast and three federal by-elections, and there is a lot to discuss.

 

In provincial politics, questions about funding for autism treatment and the Progressive Conservative Party's fundraising strategies remain.

 

Libby speaks with political strategists Kim Wright and Jason Lietaer about the week to come in politics.

It looks to be an active week in political affairs at the Federal and Provincial levels with a number of stories that just won't go away.

 

On the federal front, the S-N-C-Lavalin affair is likely to stay in the headlines this week, with the opposition parties promising to keep the pressure on the Prime MInister to appear before the Commons justice committee probing the controversy. The Conservatives plan to introduce a motion today calling on Justin Trudeau to take questions from the committee for two hours -- under oath -- and no later than March 15th. Ex-attorney general Jody Wilson-Raybould is expected to appear before the panel as early as Tuesday. Add to this the ongoing prosecution of Vice Admiral Mark Norman on the east coast and three federal by-elections, and there is a lot to discuss.

 

In provincial politics, questions about funding for autism treatment and the Progressive Conservative Party's fundraising strategies remain.

 

Libby speaks with political strategists Kim Wright and Jason Lietaer about the week to come in politics.

In provincial politics Progressive Conservative MPP Randy Hillier has apologized after being suspended from the PC caucus indefinitely over comments he made.  Hillier claims that his comments were NOT directed at parents of autistic children, but to an NDP member.  This as dozens of parents showed up at Queens Park voicing concerns about the new autism funding program...calling it "inadequate."  The NDP continues to call for the resignation of the Government Social Services Minister Lisa McLeod who is responsible for the autism file.  McLeod continues to defend the province's new funding model.