Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario adjudicator says ‘compelling public interest’ in disclosure does not outweigh concerns releasing data could negatively impact on the province’s ability to negotiate with doctors, nurses
A team leader nurse gets updates from another nurse while they treat patients inside the intensive care unit of Humber River Hospital in Toronto, on April 20, 2021.Health care stakeholders and an expert on privacy are criticizing a recent ruling that allows the government of Ontario to keep details of the province’s shortages of nurses, personal support workers and doctors confidential.
She alluded to recent closings of emergency rooms, birthing units and outpatient labs in the province. “There couldn’t be a more pressing public interest then to know the data about the extent of the staffing shortages and whether or not the staffing plans of the government are adequate.” An expert in privacy issues also said Mr. Fadel is mistaken in concurring with the government’s claim that disclosing those statistics would make a difference when negotiating with organizations representing health care professionals.
In his ruling, Mr. Fadel wrote that the information being withheld “points to specific shortages in 2022, 2023 and 2024 and also estimates gaps in these areas at five and 10 years in the future.” “What is the Ford government trying to hide by refusing to share with Ontarians the nurses’ and health care professionals’ shortage projections?” Erin Ariss, president of the Ontario Nurses’ Association, said in a statement sent to The Globe and Mail.Mr. Fadel wrote in his decision that “the ministry ... submits that disclosure of the information could be injurious to the government’s ability to manage the economy.
Documents obtained by The Canadian Press this spring through a freedom of information request show that the province’s hospitals and nursing homes will spend 63 per cent more on agency nurses in the past year, from $368.64-million in 2021-22 to a projected cost in 2022-23 of $600.18-million.
Secret Canada Secret-Canada Appwebview
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Newfoundland trucker missing in Ontario, family makes pleas for informationExplore stories from Atlantic Canada.
Read more »
Ontario providing funds to junior mining companies in Northern OntarioFunding will create jobs that will help mines discover materials needed for electric vehicles.
Read more »
Ontario Premier Calls for Exclusively Ontario Students in Post-Secondary InstitutionsPremier Doug Ford wants to eliminate the presence of international students in Ontario's post-secondary institutions and prioritize Ontario students. He aims for 100% of Ontario students to attend these universities.
Read more »
Mi casa norte de Ontario: hundreds of Latin American newcomers changing the face of northern OntarioSynara Saab (right) and her husband André and son Luiz Felipe were all smiles when they boarded an airplane in Brazil 18 months ago to begin their new life in Sault Ste. Marie.
Read more »
Canadian health-care professionals urged to share climate disaster mitigation informationScientist Blair Feltmate told a national public health conference today in Halifax there are inexpensive and effective ways of reducing harm caused by climate-related disasters
Read more »
Ontario to increase health coverage for wildland firefightersDavid Piccini is Ontario's Minister of the Environment.
Read more »