Air Pollution

Proposal - Chief Medical Officer

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 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