For Immediate Release:
February 23, 2006

Barrett questions impact of LHINs on First Nations
Says Ontario has not consulted aboriginal leadership

Queen’s Park—MPP Toby Barrett underlined First Nations’ concerns about the McGuinty government’s proposed Local Health Integration Networks (LHIN) scheme yesterday in the Legislature.

“I have also received communications from the First Nations community, and one of their very important concerns is that the legislation would inadvertently undermine their existing and any future health care programs they may negotiate with either the provincial government or the federal government,” Barrett informed the Legislature. “Has this been discussed with the Minister responsible for aboriginal affairs?”

“Who will be given real power if communities and the health providers are voiceless?” Barrett asked.  “We have certainly heard the accusations that it will be unelected members of what can develop into very large bureaucracies.”
Barrett then reiterated the concerns brought forward by the Grand Council Chief of the Anishinabek Nation, John Beaucage.

"First Nations are very concerned that the legislation will inadvertently undermine existing and future First Nation health care programs and services,” Barrett continued.  “I'm not clear to what extent the Minister of Health has given this consideration.”

If passed, bill 36 will carve Ontario into fourteen large jurisdictions, created a new layer of bureaucracy between the Ontario government and health care delivery partners.  The Six Nations and New Credit reserves would be lumped into a mega network spanning from the Forestry Farm Road in the west to Halton and the Fort Erie in the east.

“Very large bureaucracies, on occasion, can be prone to making ineffective or downright bad decisions”

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For more information, please contact MPP Toby Barrett at: (519) 428-0446, (416) 325-8404, or 1-800-903-8629