Hello all,
I have been interested in the health effects of pollutants in our environment
for a number of years and have been quite frustrated at the futility of
prevention of diseases. I have been mostly concerned about carcinogenic air
toxics that can be preventable and yet they are not due to our health policies
and political inertia.
I have expressed concerns about the impact of environmental degradation on
public health to the Board of Health on several occasions. Recently I presented
a proposal addressed to 2 MPPs here in Ontario with a letter to the Minister of
Health. I will enclose this letter for your information and request your help
for your support to carry it through.
This is the first step to initiate at least a public debate on the issue,
at which time anyone who wishes to add provisions they may do so, as long as
the initial step on this proposal is taken, in order to start the ball rolling.
I would appreciate your support by acknowledging the need for change and address
the same MPPs and the Minister of Health referring to this initiative.
Ontario does need reforms and improvement in health policy.
Lela Gary
-------------------
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AIR POLLUTION COALITION
761 Queen Street West,#101
Toronto, ON M6J 1G1
www.ecopolitics.ca
Ph:416.686.7322
Hon. George Smitherman
Ministry of Health & Long-Term Care
80 Grosvenor Street, Hepburn Block
Toronto, ON M7A 2C4
31 March 2006
Dear Mr. Smitherman:
This is to request a Review of the existing Health Protection and Promotion Act and of
the need for amendments to the legislation creating the provincial Medical Officer of Health
position. The proposal for this review is based on my concerns of the impact that our
environmental degradation has inflicted on our health.
The Chief Medical Officer may have an impact in health service delivery by carrying out
the duties entitled to the position, such as make an annual report to the Legislative
Assembly, conduct public education programs, inform and assist in research or receive
representations from the public. These limited powers and the restrictions, conditions
and requirements imposed upon the CMO by the Minister of Health, under subsection
(1)[86.3(2)] are counterproductive to the Health Protection and Promotion Act.
Health Protection is defined as Health Prevention.
The current Health Protection and Promotion Act is inadequate to protect public health
as it is based on Remedial Intervention. Therefore, this is a failure of the full
implementation of the mandate in its rightful meaning.
Preventative measures must precede emergency crises or the outbreak of diseases, notably
diseases inflicted by environmental failure or inadequate political agendas.
If the public can not combat the powers of industry or ineffective governments that contravene
in the prevention of disease, the Chief Medical Officer must protect public health by
developing strategies on health, environmental and social determinants.
I request that:
(1) The Lieutenant Governor in Council shall appoint a Chief Medical Officer
following the approval by resolution of the Legislative Assembly
prescribed solely and independently of the Ministry of Health.
The Chief Medical Officer shall be at arm's length of the government.
(2) The Chief Medical Officer, an Officer of the Assembly, shall have
legislative authority to introduce policies to the Assembly for
approval by resolution of the Assembly.
I trust that my request for review of the HPPA and of the appointment of the Chief
Medical Officer will be considered by the Ministry of Health in order to protect public
health.
Please, be advised that this letter has been referred to Messrs. Michael Prue, MPP
and John O'Toole, MPP.
Sincerely,
Lela Gary
-------------------
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