The much awaited Report of the Commission on the Reform of Public Services, prepared by economist Don Drummond, former chief economist with TD Bank was released this afternoon.
The report, which took nearly a year to complete, offers up 362 recommendations in various sectors including health care, education, social programs, justice and labour relations.
As noted in much of the media leading up to the report's release, a large bulk of the recommendations involve reducing inefficiencies in how Ontario runs its health care system. Of particular note, is the projected rate of health care spending growth and its impact on all other programs and government spending.
"Not every program should grow at the 0.8 per cent rate that is our limit. But if some programs grow faster, other programs will have to grow more slowly or even shrink. For example, if health care continues to grow by 6.3 per cent per year - its track record over the previous five years - then all programs other than health would have to contract by 4.1 per cent annually to meet our target. Health care would run roughshod over every other priority; it would gut every other government service that Ontarians rely on for their education, social welfare, justice system, infrastructure needs and a host of other programs that matter to the people of this province. This cannot be our future."
Over the coming weeks, the OCA will review the complete report to identify areas and opportunities, where the profession can work with the government, key health care stakeholders, and our patients to help achieve a sustainable health care system in Ontario.
Members are encouraged to review the report, specifically the chapter on Health Care including its Executive Summary >>
Read the complete Report of the Commission on the Reform of Ontario's Public Services >>
