On July 14, 2014, Ontario Finance Minister Charles Sousa will rise in the legislature and deliver the May 1 budget for a second time — with few, if any, changes. Most people, I suspect, will focus on things like the…
Unfortunately for doctors, Matthews still pulling strings
We already know Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne is a jogger. Having spent the better part of the past hour watching her new cabinet being sworn in by Lt.-Gov. David Onley at Queen’s Park, I can’t help but wonder if the…
Medicare’s Joan of Arc
I see Medicare’s Joan of Arc has been at it again. In a speech to Unifor’s Ontario Regional Council in Port Elgin this past week, Dr. Danielle Martin — who recently became a media celebrity when she defended Canada’s health…
Worst health minister ever?
I like to think of myself as a straight shooter. I say what I mean and mean what I say. So here goes: Deb Matthews is the worst Ontario health minister — ever. Hands down. Nobody else comes close. I…
The euthanasia debate may be the impetus to get us having that ‘adult conversation’ about how we’re going to fund health care
By Stephen Skyvington There is a great short story by Kurt Vonnegut Jr., titled 2 B R 0 2 B. Published in 1962, the story revolves around a man named Edward K. Wehling, Jr., whose wife is about to give…
Our alarming infrastructure deficit
From Toronto’s Gardiner Expressway to Hamilton’s sidewalks and roads, the bills are mounting By Stephen Skyvington @SSkyvington Here’s a little quiz for you: When did the first bits of concrete fall from the elevated portion of the Gardiner Expressway? How big…
MDs in No Mood to Roll Over
Could we soon see another doctor strike in Ontario? By Stephen Skyvington Today, I want to share a little history with you, as a way of preparing citizens, voters, taxpayers and patients for what’s about to happen in the next…
Health minister must fund it or free it
Back in the late ’90s, when I was the manager of government relations for the Ontario Medical Association, we had an expression those of us who wanted to see a parallel private health-care system liked to toss around. Especially when…
It’s time to grow up about health care
We need to have an adult conversation about health care. I know you’ve heard that before, but it’s true. The health care “doomsday clock” is ticking and we don’t have the luxury to put this off any longer. In order…
A revolution brewing among Ontario’s doctors
By Stephen Skyvington Stockholm syndrome: A psychological phenomenon in which hostages express empathy and sympathy and have positive feelings toward their captors, sometimes to the point of defending them. These feelings are generally considered irrational in light of the danger…