Communications

Minister's Speech to the OHA Convention

For the Attention of:
Hospital Board Chairs, CEOs, OHA Board of Directors and CACN Members

From: Hilary Short, President and CEO

Earlier today, the Honourable George Smitherman, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care spoke to hospital members at the Closing Session of the OHA Convention. He highlighted working together with hospitals this past year, the fiscal realities facing the provincial government and the commitment to transforming the health system, including the reduction of wait times. His speech is available on the MOHLTC website.

Highlights of his speech include:

  • $107 million in new funding to reduce wait times
  • Commitment to reduce all wait times, in additional to the five priority areas
  • $334 million in new funding for Diagnostic and Medical Equipment, the majority of which will go to hospitals
  • Recognition of the $721 million in working capital deficits as a result of under funding in previous years
  • Recognition that all hospitals face inflationary pressures and that the government “…will not ignore these realties.”
  • Recognition of the difficult and unique needs of small and rural hospitals as well as academic health sciences centres
  • Commitment to rewarding efficiency and effectiveness
  • Investing $29 million to support an Alternative Levels of Care Strategy (Supportive Care Program and Interim LTC Beds)
  • Open to creative and innovative ideas for one-time transformation funding.


Clearly, many hospital continue to face financial pressures both this year and next. We want to congratulate hospitals on the extensive efforts they put into their Balanced Budget Plan submissions. From our preliminary examination of the documentation received to date, the plans clearly outline the very real clinical and financial needs of hospitals. The OHA will be reviewing this information as part of our ongoing advocacy efforts.

Your submission of plans to the OHA has been critical in our ongoing dialogue with government regarding the pressures facing hospitals throughout Ontario. The OHA will be meeting with the MOHLTC regarding the BBP review process and will keep members posted as information comes forward. To assist OHA in staying current on the pressures hospitals are facing, we ask that all information regarding Balanced Budget Plans sent to the Ministry, also be forwarded to ohadata@oha.com or fax to 416-205-1320.

If you have any questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to call Steve Orsini at 416-205-1339, sorsini@oha.com or Lou Reidel at 416-205-1320, lreidel@oha.com