Bill 138 (An Act to implement Budget measures and to enact, amend and repeal various statutes) is a sweeping omnibus Bill. Two sections are of particular note for health care and the broader public sector: [1] Schedule 37 which would enact the Supply Chain Management Act and [2] Schedule 19, which amends the Independent Health Facilities Act. Both raise serious threats of restructuring and privatization.

• Hospitals are threatened by the expansion of private clinics through Bill 138: it allows for the expansion of private clinics by easing the process to apply for a license to operate one.
• Until now, overnight stays have not been allowed at private clinics. Now that is also in question.
• Expanding private clinics allows physicians to set up clinics and skim off the easiest and most lucrative surgeries, scopes and other procedures. This will undermine our hospitals.
• 97% of private clinics are operated on a for-profit basis. It is a widespread practice that these clinics charge user fees, according to the Ontario Health Coalition.

THUS

WHEREAS: The Ontario government is moving to privatize hospital support services and to significantly expand the delivery of clinical services in private for-profit clinics as evidenced by its support for Bill 138, particularly Schedules 19 and 37.

WE the undersigned petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows: We ask that this government abandon its plans to privatize healthcare services.