Health minister responds to Ontario's unhappy doctors

Earlier today we published an Ontario Medical Association (OMA) news release indicating that it has filed documents with the Ontario Superior Court to review the provincial government's negotiating tactics.

The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-term Care subsequently sent us a statement from Minister Deb Matthews (shown with Premier Dalton McGuinty).

Following is the statement, described as a "response to the Ontario Medical Association’s (OMA) lawsuit":

“I am disappointed that the OMA has chosen this route, as opposed to doing what Ontarians expect of us – working together in a boardroom, not a courtroom.

As the government’s recent agreement with the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association demonstrates, it is possible to reach a deal in good faith under difficult fiscal circumstances by working together to find creative solutions.

We must make the right decisions for patients today to protect our universal health-care system for tomorrow.

The right decision today is to expand access to community and home care while protecting the gains we've made on physician compensation.

I ask again that the OMA return to the table so we can move forward on a fair and reasonable outcome together.”